Tuesday was a day of riots on the streets of Ferguson with shops being looted, a squad car set on fire and rage against a grand jury’s decision on Monday not to indict white police officer Dennis Wilson who killed 18-year-old Afro-American Michael Brown. National Guard troops assisted the police in Tuesday’s round of demonstrations to prevent the same chaos that had occured as soon as the decision was announced.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon lifted the troops from 700 to 2,200 to help keep law in the suburb of Ferguson. “Lives and property must be protected,” said Mr. Nixon. “This community deserves to have peace.”
More than 80 people were arrested, of which 61 had to do with burglary and trespassing.
Mr. Wilson, the 28-year-old officer accused for causing the death of the young man on August 9, went on national television for the first time and insisted that he could not have done anything differently in his altercation with Brown. “I know I did my job right,” he told Greek-American George Stephanopoulos on ABC News.
A video of Mr. Wilson’s statement –
The Brown family’s attorneys say that the grand jury process was rigged and are planning to push for federal charges. Despite the Brown family’s dissatisfaction, the parents of the deceased publically called for peace. Their representatives stressed that setting fires would not help their case against Wilson.
A video on Tuesday showing Lesley McSpadden breaking down as the announcement of the grand jury blared over the stereo went viral. Brown’s stepfather angrily yelled “Burn the bitch down!” The family’s representatives later said that the reaction was “raw emotion.” The video showing the mother’s reaction –
Mr. Wilson’s lawyers issued a statement: “Law enforcement personnel must frequently make split-second and difficult decisions,” said the statement that also added that their client had “followed his training and followed the law.”
Shortly before 10 p.m. local time Ferguson, a large crowd gathered outside the police headquarters and marched to nearby City Hall. “We want answers!” they yelled as two men banged on the door and others started throwing bricks through the doors. An empty police car was rocked back and forth and lit on fire. Police used teargas to disperse the crowd.
Around the U.S.
There were demonstrations in Boston, Portland, Denver and Dallas. In Boston, 1,500 protestors took part in a rally, with a portion of these trying to get onto Interstate 93 but being stopped by the police.
In downtown Portland, Oregon, 200 protesters broke off from a peaceful march and briefly blocked traffic on Interstate 5 by throwing rocks and bottles at police officers. One driver stuck in traffic near downtown Portland was punched in the face.
Portland
In Denver police used pepper spray on a small group of protestors.
In Dallas, Interestate 35 was briefly closed down.
In Los Angeles, protestors marched from Freedom Square toward downtown.
In Washington, around 400 protesters marched through the city for hours. They briefly entered a Wal-Mart store and elft peacefully before making their way to the White House. “Whose house? Our house!” they yelled.
In New York, people shut highways down.
New York
In Albany, hundreds of people turned out at the Federal Building to show their solidarity to the people of Ferguson.
Albany
A solidarity rally was held in Oakland, Pittsburgh.
Oakland
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