Vigils across US...For Michael Brown

Atlanta residents gather in Decatur, Georgia for a moment of silence for Mike Brown

Thousands of people have held vigils across the US in honour of a black teenager killed by police in Missouri. Moments of silence and protests were held in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and elsewhere, five days after Michael Brown was fatally shot.

After four nights of violence in Ferguson, where the 18-year-old died, state police took charge of security. And in contrast on Thursday evening, state troopers and local police walked with protestors, shaking their hands.  Captain Ronald Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol, who grew up nearby, lost no time in making his presence felt as the new man in charge of the operation. As he walked at the front of a march through the streets, he was seen hugging people he met. "We all want justice. We all want answers," he said.

 

The new man in charge, Capt Ronald Johnson, meets reporters

 

The scene early on Thursday evening was more peaceful
 

For the first time, the reverberations from this Midwest town were felt nationwide with dozens of vigils organized by a social media campaign. The event in Washington DC was attended by hundreds of people in Malcolm X Park, many holding placards saying: "Hands up. Don't shoot". Similar vigils were held in New York, Boston, Detroit, Chicago and many other cities. They came at the end of a day when Missouri Governor Jay Nixon had likened the scenes of violence in Ferguson to a "war zone".
US Attorney General Eric Holder had said the use of military equipment and vehicles in Ferguson had sent a "conflicting message", while President Obama questioned the police use of "excessive force". In the face of condemnation for the tactics of the county police, the governor announced that the state highway patrol would direct the security operation. "We're going to have to regain trust," he said.
Hours later, reporter Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post summed up the atmosphere. "At this time at night on Monday, residents were in real fear for their lives. Tonight they're taking selfies with cops."

 

Hundreds gathered on Thursday evening at the spot where Michael Brown died

Tear gas was used to disperse protesters on Wednesday night

The tension in Ferguson was sparked by the death of Brown, 18, on Saturday afternoon. Details about the incident have been disputed but eyewitnesses said the unarmed teenager had his arms raised when he was shot multiple times by a police officer. Police say there was a struggle and the officer suffered facial injuries.
The authorities are under pressure to release the officer's name, but they say they are worried that his life and that of his family could be in danger.

 

Michael Brown had recently graduated from high school

Michael Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, during a community meeting on Tuesday

Four nights of violence have seen heavily armed riot police firing tear gas at demonstrators and looting, arson and the throwing of bottles and Molotov cocktails. In a specially convened press conference during his holiday, Mr Obama said there was "no excuse" for police to use excessive force against peaceful protesters. But he also recognized the violence and criminal behaviour police had faced since Mr Brown's killing.

Mr Obama has promised a full investigation by the US Department of Justice into the teenager's death, and the FBI has launched its own inquiry. Will this case be swept into obscurity like many others ? When will they deal with the core issue ?