State of Emergency, Curfew Declared following Ferguson Protests

Missouri governor has declared state of emergency and set curfew in Ferguson suburb where a black teenager Michael Brown was shot dead by police last weekend, sparking week-long mass protests.

“The eyes of the world are watching. This is the test of whether a community, this community, any community, can break the cycle of fear, distrust and violence, and replace them with peace, strength and, ultimately, justice,” Governor Jay Nixon said in his speech at a church near Ferguson.

The curfew will be imposed from midnight to 5 am local time, according to Captain Ronald Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who also spoke at the press conference, following Governor Jay Nixon.

As Governor Nixon told the people of Ferguson to sleep during the curfew, he was interrupted by a protester who yelled out “Sleep is not an option!” and “We want justice!”

Johnson also added that no tear gas or harsh tactics will be used to enforce the curfew, acknowledging that tear gas had been used against protesters early Saturday morning, but not on his orders.

“You saw people sitting in the street and they had the chance to get up,” he said. “And that’s how it’s going to continue.”

Johnson added that three officers were injured in clashes on Friday as some were trapped by the rioters in a parking lot. But no use of force was ordered by him, the captain said. “What we’re doing now is not who we are,” Johnson said amid shouts.

The Governor meanwhile said that he will not allow a few looters to endanger the community saying that “calm” is necessary to serve justice.

On Friday, following peaceful demonstrations during the day, a group of people stayed in the streets after midnight, provoking police and reportedly

The protests in St. Louis rural community continue despite the release of the name of the police officer, Darren Wilson, who fatally shot unarmed black teenager Michael Brown last Saturday. The tragedy has triggered violence in the town and vigils by thousands of people across the United States.

The governor assured people that there are dozens of FBI agents on the ground investigating the teenager’s murder. He also said that US Department of Justice is increasing its efforts in the shooting probe.