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      On the Scene: In Missouri, Ferguson Community Leaders Calm Tensions

   by Mary Alice Salinas

   After nearly a week of violent nightly protests in Ferguson, Missouri,
   over the shooting death of an unarmed black teen, demonstrators and
   police may have reached a turning point late Tuesday.

   Protesters were holding mostly peaceful rallies throughout the day
   Tuesday, but they became increasingly agitated throughout the night.

   I've covered protests and riots before, and I saw that something was
   about to happen.

   And then these religious and community leaders emerged from the crowd.
   One man urged the protesters to move to a different location, a church
   or some other site.

   "We have a place where we can talk. We have a place where we can hear
   your concerns. We can address all your issues. People there will listen
   to you. Follow me, follow me," the man urged.

   A huge part of the crowd, the residents of Ferguson, went behind these
   religious leaders. The protesters were angry, but they followed.

   It was a beautiful thing to see. A lof of the crowd dispersed. Things
   immediately got calmer.

   As I was talking to police, they mentioned how this night was
   different. They were smiling. They said it was the best night since the
   protests started.

   One of the community organizers stopped by and the police thanked him
   for his efforts. The organizer replied, "I'm just trying to help the
   kids."

   The events in Ferguson began on Aug. 9, when Michael Brown, 18, was
   shot to death by city police officer Darren Wilson, 28.

   Since then, the town has been rocked by violent protests, and images of
   a heavily militarized police force have shocked the nation and drawn
   international interest.

   The law enforcement presence is in Ferguson is astounding.

   Officers wear riot gear and carry batons and high-powered weapons. They
   have armored vehicles and Humvees. Helicopters are flying overhead.

   Most of the police presence is found in the "ground zero" area - where
   most of the protest action happens - on West Florissant Avenue in
   Ferguson. This area is also about four or five blocks from where Brown
   was killed.

   The police are severely limiting access to the area. The police had all
   major streets around this area blocked off. Getting to the area was
   very difficult even for the media.

   On West Florissant, police now require that you keep moving. They won't
   allow anyone to be stationary. Even during the day, you have to keep
   moving.

   That's something I've never seen before.

   Most businesses on a mile-stretch of the street are boarded up. Some
   have been looted, others are making repairs after being looted, and
   still others are open, including the market where Brown allegedly stole
   a box of cigars.

   Ten years ago, during the International Monetary Fund protests, there
   were confrontations in the street. In those protests you saw long lines
   of police and arrests. But those events didn't have the same level of
   fear and tension and anger that you see in Ferguson.

   I had never seen this level of tension between protesters and police.
   But last night I saw a break.

   The real heroes here are the religious and community leaders. It is
   clear that they are an important part of the answer to ending this
   unrest.

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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/ferguson-religious-community-leaders-
   affect-change/2421846.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/ferguson-religious-community-leaders-affect-change/2421846.html