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Monday, August 25, 2014

Michael Brown funeral: St Louis mourns Ferguson teenager

 


Michael Brown's mother Lesley McSpadden (far left) sits near Michael Brown Snr (right) at their son's funeral Michael Brown's parents (far left and right) have called for calm and no return to the violence that marked the days after their son's death


Hundreds of people have attended the funeral for the black teenager killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri.

Mourners at the Friendly Temple Baptist Church in St Louis sang, prayed and remembered the life of Michael Brown.

Mr Brown, 18, who was unarmed, was killed on 9 August after being stopped by a white police officer for walking in the middle of the street.

His death sparked days of protests and violent clashes, but tensions appear to have eased in recent days.

Two poster-sized photos of Mr Brown were placed inside the church near the casket, along with another photo of him as a small child.

Those in the church sang, clapped and danced to gospel music before the service started.

Rajini Vaidyanathan speaks to mourners at the funeral of Michael Brown
'Senseless killing'
Mr Brown's family addressed mourners, describing Michael as a gentle soul.

His cousin, Eric Davis, said his generation had stood up to what had happened in Ferguson.

"We have had enough. We have had enough of having our brothers and sisters killed in the streets," he said.

"Hear our voice. We have had enough of this senseless killing."

Civil rights leaders Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are among those in attendance. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon did not attend.

President Barack Obama has sent three White House aides to represent him.

The mood outside the church was peaceful and sombre, said BBC correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan who is in St Louis.

"We don't know the Brown family but our hearts empathise with them for their loss and the senseless violence," one mourner told the BBC.

Mourners sing inside the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church, St Louis, Michael Brown's family said his generation were standing up to the violence they faced

Mourners arrive at Michael Brown's funeral service The mood was peaceful as mourners arrived

Guests wait in line to enter the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in St Louis Mourners say they want to support the family of shot teenager Michael Brown

But there is still anger in Ferguson, which has a majority black population, after the shooting by white police officer, Darren Wilson - who is currently suspended on full pay.

"If Darren Wilson is not charged, there will be an uprising," another mourner said.

A grand jury panel of residents has begun hearing evidence in the case, though the country prosecutor has said the process could take until October.

The National Guard, which was deployed to deal with violent clashes in Ferguson last week, started to withdraw from the area on Saturday as tensions showed signs of easing.
'No rage'
On Sunday, Michael Brown's father made his plea for calm to a crowd gathered at the Peace Fest 2014 festival, a rally against police violence in St Louis.

"Tomorrow all I want is peace," he said.

Rev Al Sharpton also addressed the crowd, telling them the day of the funeral was not for "rage" but "about the legacy and memory of his [Michael Brown Snr's] son".

Guests raise their hands as they stand in line for the funeral of Michael Brown. Funeral guests raise their hands in a gesture of solidarity with the unarmed teenager shot by police

"We don't want anything tomorrow to happen that might defile the name of Michael Brown," the reverend added.

Michael Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden took the microphone to thank the crowd.

She said she had seen her son's body at the morgue for the first time on Sunday since the day of the shooting.

The family of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old who was shot and killed by a Florida neighbourhood watch organiser who was later acquitted of murder charges, was present at Sunday's rally.

"We're going to stand tall with you all,'' Trayvon Martin's father, Tracy Martin, said.

Michael Brown Snr: "All I want is peace while my son is laid to rest"

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