Action News Wire

Thousands Protest Nationwide After Ferguson Grand Jury Decision

Thousands Protest Nationwide After Ferguson Grand Jury Decision

WASHINGTON -- Thousands of people across the nation turned out Monday night to show solidarity with the protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, after a grand jury decided not to indict the officer who shot Michael Brown.

Crowds of people gathered in Times Square, outside the White House gates and in downtown Philadelphia. Many protesters were shouting, "Hands up, don't shoot" -- a phrase that has become linked to protests over the Aug. 9 shooting of Brown, an unarmed African-American teenager, by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.

Ferguson has been on edge in recent weeks, waiting for the grand jury's decision. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D) issued a controversial state of emergency declaration before the announcement, in anticipation of possible conflict.

President Barack Obama spoke Monday night after St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch announced the grand jury's decision. The president urged calm and restraint from both the protesters and police officers.

Although the scene in Ferguson was chaotic Monday night -- with reports of police cars on fire, windows broken and cops using smoke to disperse crowds -- initial reports of the protests elsewhere were largely peaceful.

Are there protests in your area? Email us your photos at openreporting@huffingtonpost.com.

A look at the nation's reaction:

Boston

Silent circle of demonstrators outside City Hall. pic.twitter.com/YpmxdJ8hej

— Nestor Ramos (@NestorARamos) November 25, 2014

Chicago

Dearborn / Adams still northbound pic.twitter.com/tR7GHVxnl3

— Peter Nickeas (@PeterNickeas) November 25, 2014

This capitalism. Hundred of riot police protecting rich River North section of downtown as #chi2ferguson approaches pic.twitter.com/VOJVTmJXf1

— ⒶNTiCapITAL (@ChicagoRADicals) November 25, 2014

BREAKING: "No justice, no peace!" #Chicago protesters head north on MLK Dr. #Ferguson @WBEZ pic.twitter.com/4DXvuQuAoZ

— Chip Mitchell (@ChipMitchell1) November 25, 2014

Denver

#BreakingNews: Hundreds of protesters marching in downtown #Denver in support of #Ferguson. @StanBushTV next. pic.twitter.com/8ZGj72WavI

— CBSDenver (@CBSDenver) November 25, 2014

#Denver marchers get support from motorists at Colfax and Washington. #Ferguson http://t.co/AQWbpbAY8p

— Quentin Young (@qpyoungnews) November 25, 2014

#Denver marchers now heading east on Colfax, block traffic at Pennsylvania. #Fergsuon pic.twitter.com/GeP4AbRcmd

— Quentin Young (@qpyoungnews) November 25, 2014

Las Vegas

Police, church civic leaders share moment of silence at MLK statue in North Las Vegas after #Ferguson decision #lvrj pic.twitter.com/ht2j4jcdho

— Kevin M. Cannon (@kmcannonphoto) November 25, 2014

Los Angeles

#BREAKING Protestors blocking traffic in S Los Angeles after NO indictment for Ofc. #DarrenWilson. Peaceful so far. pic.twitter.com/IQ7RzCXhUd

— Elex Michaelson (@ABC7Elex) November 25, 2014

New York City

March sitting in on the bridge. #ferguson pic.twitter.com/BMnFm7lYrE

— Conor Skelding (@conorskelding) November 25, 2014

Michael Brown protest in Union Square #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/CAMQulHe0i

— Johanna Barr (@JohannaBarr) November 25, 2014

Black Lives Matter in Union Square. #BlackLivesMatter #FergusonDecision pic.twitter.com/RS56tbS4Ry

— Elly Park (@ellypark07) November 25, 2014

Protesters march up Seventh Avenue in New York City, following the grand jury decision in Ferguson. pic.twitter.com/ZOtGC3TU3A

— NYT National News (@NYTNational) November 25, 2014

"Hands up, don't shoot." At 35th and 7th. No sign of stopping. pic.twitter.com/NxbszblsCv

— Danielle Tcholakian (@danielleiat) November 25, 2014

Oakland, California

Oakland marches for Mike Brown #oaklandferguson http://t.co/226CoRgBlR

— Matt O'Brien (@mattoyeah) November 25, 2014

Firecrackers at #fergusonoakland protest near Interstate 580 pic.twitter.com/uSRNxTP5EQ

— Matt O'Brien (@mattoyeah) November 25, 2014

Philadelphia

Protestors peacefully march from #philly city hall chanting their dismay & outrage with #ferguson decision pic.twitter.com/9WETHmcsft

— Justin Udo (@JustinUdo) November 25, 2014

#BREAKING: Group of protestors marching in Center City, Philadelphia. #Ferguson http://t.co/DrIydMGzco pic.twitter.com/c10TXVkzdE

— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) November 25, 2014

Seattle

Protestors in #Seattle after no indictment in #Ferguson case pic.twitter.com/nRnh7fcDBo

— Nick McGurk (@NickMcGurkTV) November 25, 2014

TV news reporter asks a Seattle demonstrator what he wants. Demonstrator replies: "Revolution." #Seattle #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/6uXkL8caAg

— The Stranger 🗞 (@TheStranger) November 25, 2014

Washington, D.C.

Several hundred protestors outside White House chanting. "No justice, no peace." pic.twitter.com/1s0WWIGKEl

— Dan Friedman (@dfriedman33) November 25, 2014

At least 100 people now lying down in front of the White House. Loud chanting. "No justice! No peace!" pic.twitter.com/L4Vwj24KaS

— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) November 25, 2014

Downtown DC is FILLED with people marching and chanting "hands up don't shoot!" #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/WM5HzgKDX9

— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) November 25, 2014

Jennifer Bendery contributed reporting.

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