Relative Calm Returns to Ferguson

Relative calm has returned to the Ferguson area of St. Louis, where protests and clashes occurred over the past two days following the clearing of charges against a police officer who killed a Black teenager. Reports from the United States indicate that protests, which had spread to other cities, have also decreased with the approach of the Thanksgiving holiday on November 27. Ferguson, located in Missouri, has been the scene of protests and clashes since a special state court jury announced it would not indict the officer who shot and killed a Black teenager in Ferguson. Officer Darren Williamson shot the teenager with 12 bullets last August. At that time, severe protests began against what demonstrators describe as the 'racist' roots of the incident. U.S. police reported that nearly 500 people were arrested during demonstrations in California on Tuesday and Wednesday. At least 7 people were arrested in New York as well. Over 100 people were taken to jail in Ferguson on Monday and Tuesday. A group of protesters attacked buildings and shops in the city. Riot police used tear gas to disperse the protesters. Reuters reported that only two people were arrested in Ferguson on Wednesday, November 27. With a population of nearly 21,000, Ferguson is predominantly inhabited by Black residents, yet almost all its political leaders and police forces are white.