Ferguson erupts after no charges in shooting case
Wed, Nov 26, 2014
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Enraged protesters looted businesses, and set fire to buildings and cars in Ferguson, Missouri, after a grand jury decided not to indict a white police officer in the death of an unarmed black 18-year-old, whose fatal shooting exposed deep racial tensions.
Ferguson burned through the night, despite pleas for calm from US President Barack Obama and the family of victim Michael Brown after St Louis County’s top prosecutor announced the officer faces no state criminal charges.
Monday night’s destruction appeared to be much worse than protests after Brown’s death in August. Authorities used tear gas to try to disperse the protesters and reported hearing hundreds of gunshots, which prevented fire crews from fighting the flames.
Officer Darren Wilson’s fatal shooting of Brown in an Aug. 9 confrontation ignited a fierce debate over how police treat young African-American men and focused attention on long-simmering racial tensions in Ferguson and around the US, four decades after the 1960s civil rights movement.
Police were criticized for responding to protests with armored vehicles and tear gas.
Monday night’s protests were “probably much worse than the worst night we ever had in August,” said St Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar, who added police had not yet fired a shot.
Obama said on Monday night from the White House that some Americans might be angry, but need to accept the decision.
“We are a nation built on the rule of law, so we need to accept that this decision was the grand jury’s to make,” Obama said.
St Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch said that the grand jurors, who had met weekly since Aug. 20, were “the only people who heard every witness... and every piece of evidence.”
When Brown’s mother, Lesley McSpadden, heard the decision, she burst into tears and began screaming, before being whisked away by supporters.
Structure of the Lead：
WHO-Officer Darren Wilson and Michael Brown
WHEN-Aug. 9
WHAT-Enraged protesters looted businesses, and set fire to buildings and cars
WHY-a white police officer in the death of an unarmed black 18-year-old, whose fatal shooting
WHERE-Ferguson, Missouri
HOW-not given
Keywords：
1. Enraged : 憤怒的
2. protesters : 示威者
3. looted : 洗劫
4. indict : 起訴
5. unarmed : 手無寸鐵的
6. criminal charges : 刑事指控
7. ignited : 點燃
8. armored vehicles : 裝甲車
9. witness : 見證
10. be whisked away : 被接走
i think there was no reason that the police should kill a teenager with no weapon also racist discriminate in America should be change.
回覆刪除I think it is a terrible issue about racial tension. American should more think about some solutions and do not occur again.
回覆刪除I think racial discrimination is still a serious issue in American and i hope they can deal with it peaceful.
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