- Title: USA: Mourners, civil rights leaders attend funeral of slain Missouri teen
- Date: 25th August 2014
- Summary: COFFIN, PHOTO OF MICHAEL BROWN VARIOUS OF MUSICIANS, CHOIR, CHURCH LEADERS PERFORMING PEOPLE IN CHURCH DANCING SAXOPHONE PLAYER PEOPLE IN CHURCH CLAPPING TO MUSIC MUSICIANS, CHOIR, CHURCH LEADERS PERFORMING WOMEN CLAPPING TO MUSIC MAN DANCING, SHAKING HANDS WITH MARTIN LUTHER KING, III PEOPLE DANCING AS SONG ENDS
- Embargoed: 9th September 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA1D50P87MSWQGDB0HLAAUKD82Y
- Story Text: Mourners sang, clapped and danced on Monday (August 25) at funeral services for Michael Brown, remembering the slain black teenager with words of goodwill and joy rather than the violence and outrage that followed his killing by a white police officer.
Brown's body lay at the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in a black and gold casket, topped with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball cap he was wearing when he was killed on Aug. 9 in Ferguson, Missouri.
As hundreds of people filed into the modern red-brick church on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in St. Louis, Brown's coffin was surrounded by photos of him as a child, graduating from school and smiling in his Cardinals cap.
"There are no good-byes for us, wherever you are you will always be in our hearts," read a sign accompanying one of the photos.
Gospel music filled the sanctuary as hundreds of people stood inside the church, many dancing, singing and clapping.
Church leaders referred to the story of Jesus Christ being resurrected to instil hope among the mourners.
"He got up with all power in his hands, and we thank you right now in spite of our tears, in spite of what we are going through. Because he lives, we can face tomorrow. Because he lives, all of our fear is gone," a church leader said, as Brown's mother nodded in agreement from the front row of the church.
Brown's killing has focused attention on racial tension and relations in the United States. The Ferguson protests also evoked criticism of the local police force's use of military gear and heavy-handed tactics.
Around the church on Monday, the police presence was heavy but relaxed. Authorities have braced for a possible flare-up, although clashes between protesters and police have waned significantly in recent days.
The National Guard, brought in at the request of the governor to help quell the Ferguson unrest, has begun a gradual withdrawal.
In addition to Sharpton, civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson was also on hand for the funeral. The White House said it was sending three presidential aides to attend the service.
A grand jury began hearing evidence on Wednesday, a process the county prosecutor said could take until mid-October. - Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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