US protests resume over Brown death

Angry protesters in the US city of Ferguson returned to the streets on Tuesday after a fire destroyed a memorial dedicated to a black teen who was killed by a white police officer.

About 200 protesters gathered at the same site where many of the demonstrations were held last month following the August 9 shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.

At least two protesters were arrested and some businesses were damaged during the protest, according to reports.

Some protesters said they were demonstrating because a temporary memorial that was built for Brown on the street he was killed had burned earlier in the day. The protesters said they believe the fire was set intentionally.

The incident reignited tensions in Ferguson, a predominantly African American suburb of St. Louis, Missouri which was rocked by violence for weeks in August after the teen’s death.

Brown was shot at least six times, including twice in the head, by Wilson, the white officer. Though police have a different account about the deadly shooting incident, sevrela several eyewitnesses say the unarmed teen held up his arms in surrender before he was repeatedly shot.

Brown’s family and activists want prosecutors to charge Wilson with murder, although he has continued his job on paid administrative leave. Wilson has spoken with investigators and testified before a grand jury, who is still considering his case.

The US Department of Justice and FBI are continuing to investigate the incident for civil rights violations. Police brutality and the unnecessary use of heavy-handed tactics have become a major concern across the US in recent years.

AHT/DT