In pictures: Ferguson protests
- Published
The US state of Missouri sent the National Guard to the town of Ferguson as protests escalated over the police shooting of an unarmed black teenager. Tear gas envelops one protestor after a demonstration over the killing.
Governor Jay Nixon signed an order to "help restore peace and order and to protect the citizens of Ferguson". The decision was made as police clashed with angry crowds shortly before a second night under curfew began.
Police in Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis, said they came under attack and had "no alternative" but to respond. Officers in riot gear shot rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters ahead of the Sunday curfew.
Protesters ignored the curfew and marched down the city's main streets.
The killing of Michael Brown by a white policeman in a street on 9 August has inflamed racial tensions in the largely black suburb.
Officer Darren Wilson shot the teenager after reportedly stopping him for walking in the street, disrupting traffic.
The governor of Missouri has criticised police for releasing CCTV footage which apparently shows Mr Brown stealing some hours before his death. Mr Nixon said the release of the footage "appeared to cast aspersions" on the dead man, saying "it made emotions raw".
But he also condemned the protesters: "These violent acts are a disservice to the family of Michael Brown and his memory and to the people of this community who yearn for justice to be served and to feel safe in their own homes."
Tensions between the demonstrators and police quickly escalated. Security forces accused some of the demonstrators of advancing on a police command post.
Some people sought cover inside a fast food restaurant.
Others we seen suffering from the effects of tear gas fired by police to diffuse the demonstration.
"Hands up, Don't Shoot" has become a key slogan in the protests. Michael Brown had recently graduated from high school. His family said their son was not "perfect". A preliminary private post-mortem report has revealed that he was shot at least six times, including twice in the head, the New York Times reports.