Police survey damage after second day of Ferguson protests

World Today

On the second day of protests in Ferguson, Mo., police said demonstrators flipped over a police car and attempted to set it on fire, and broke windows at city hall. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, and 44 people were arrested. CCTV America’s Mary MacCarthy reported this story from Ferguson, Mo.

Two FBI agents were shot during a standoff at a home near Ferguson on Tuesday, but it wasn’t clear whether the incident was related to the protests.

“A lot of the protesters that came out for peaceful protest actually were assisting us tonight. But once again, there are those who are stuck on violence who embed themselves with the peaceful protesters,” Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson said.

Police said some of the items they confiscated from the crowds include a handgun and at least one Molotov cocktail.

Across the country, protests were held in 170 other U.S. cities. While most were peaceful, some turned violent.

In Oakland, Calif., demonstrators set fires on a highway to block traffic. In Cincinnati, 15 people were arrested for blocking roads. Large crowds gathered but remained peaceful in cities including Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, and Boston.

“We just gonna keep fighting and pray for a better outcome,” said Michael Brown’s father Michael Brown Sr.

Michael Brown’s parents saod the fight for justice isn’t over that they don’t believe Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson had a right to kill their son. Wilson laid out his case for the first time in a television interview with a U.S. television network, ABC.

“At that time I gave myself another mental check. Can I shoot this guy you know, legally can I? And the question I answer myself was I have to. If I don’t he will kill me if he gets to me,” said Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson of a critical moment in his interaction with Brown.

Wilson said Brown was the one that instigated violence when Brown assaulted him. He said Brown punched him in the face repeatedly and that shooting Brown was his only option when Brown began charging at him.

“The reason I have a clean conscience is ’cause I know I did my job right,” Wilson said.

Brown’s parents said they don’t believe his account of events.

“For one, my son wouldn’t he respected law enforcement. Two, who in their right mind would charge a police officer that has his gun? It sounds crazy,” said Michael Brown Sr.

The family’s lawyer vowed to press for more answers.

“We plan on having whatever civil, federal charges to get justice. And remember, what we are asking supporters here to do is not just make noise. Let’s make a difference,” said Brown family attorney Benjamin Crump.


Tensions continue to simmer in Missouri

Ferguson, Mo., experienced dreary cold weather Wednesday night, matching the mood of protestors. Two days after a white police officer learned he won’t face charges in the shooting death of an unarmed black teen, demonstrators are regrouping and figuring out what to do next.CCTV America’s Jim Spellman reported this story from Ferguson.

It’s a similar feeling in dozens of cities across the United States who are all feeling the fury over Ferguson.

“I feel like I need to support our people… I feel that we didn’t get justice and if I have to stay out here every day on break I will,” said college student Jashyra Robinson.

Protests were mostly peaceful, encouraged by Michael Brown’s parents.

“We just gonna keep fighting and pray for a better outcome,” Michael Brown, Sr. said.

The Brown family is also pushing for legislation to require every police officer in the United States to wear a video camera.


Cathy Schneider of American University discusses the situation in Ferguson

CCTV America interviewed Cathy Schneider, a professor at American University and the author of “Police Power and Race Riots: Urban Unrest in Paris and New York” about the demonstrations in Ferguson.