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Ferguson Shooting Essay

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What began as a peaceful demonstration over a week ago in Ferguson, Missouri, following the fatal shooting of an 18 year-old African-American man, quickly descended into violence and vandalism as protests turned into riots. On Saturday, August 9, Officer Darren Wilson confronted Michael Brown. The incident led to the shooting death of Brown, which sparked protests calling for an investigation of the confrontation. On Sunday August 10, however, the demonstrations turned to chaos as crowds began looting and vandalizing parts of the town, drawing national attention. Leaders of Ferguson's many religious congregations have called for unity and an end to the violence, and citizens have stepped in as well to give assistance and support to the troubled town. Ferguson, Missouri is historically a very faith-based suburban community, with 57 percent of its 21,000 denizens belonging to an active church – seven percent higher than the national average. In the face of the chaos and upheaval, these congregations and church-leaders have risen to the challenge of bringing peace and calm to the town in the wake of recent trauma. …show more content…

However, as the backbone of the religious community, local leaders such as Pastor Karen Knodt of the Immanuel United Church of Christ and Reverend Steve Lawler of St. Stephen’s Episcopalian church will be the people who local residents look to for leadership on the ground. In the weeks and months to come, the people of Ferguson will be left to deal with the fallout of the recent unrest as the news cameras and popular figureheads move

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