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'National Moment of Silence', Ferguson protests sweep across the US

Cities throughout the United States have held vigils to mark a 'National Moment of Silence' following the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown who was shot while unarmed by police in Ferguson, Missouri. Organisers say the protests are to honour all victims of police brutality.

Moment of Silence protestors Times Square
People sit in the middle of an intersection in Times Square as part of a march that sprung from a National Day of Silence on 14 August.

More than 100 cities spanning the United States have held vigils to mark the death of African American teenager Michael Brown at the hands of police, organisers say.

Many vigils turned into marches and street protests on a day dedicated to honouring victims of police violence.

Protestors have posted images and videos on social media using the hashtag #NMOS14.

In Oakland:

#NMOS14#Oakland cc @FeministaJonespic.twitter.com/a2Ihnhe61q

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In Michigan:

In Birmingham:

In Washington:

In Detroit:

In Chicago:

In Denver:

In Atlanta: 

In San Francisco:

In Nashville:

In New Orleans:

In New York, protesters were also shouting slogans against the death of a black father after a New York policeman put him in an apparent chokehold last month.

   

"Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Justice," some signs read.

Several of the New York protesters, some of whom had demonstrated after the 2012 shooting death of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin by a neighbor in Florida, were also demanding New York police chief Bill Bratton step down and that the officers involved in Garner's death be brought to justice.

   

Amateur video showed Garner, 43, pressed against the ground by several police officers after an altercation. He complained several times he could not breathe.

   

His July 17 death was declared a homicide by the medical examiner after an autopsy.

   

"When a police officer comes to the decision that it's time to arrest someone, that individual is obligated to submit to arrest," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday, in asking New Yorkers to respect police and not resist arrest. 

   

"They will then have every opportunity for due process in our court system."

 

 


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