WASHINGTON, August 25 (RIA Novosti) - The funeral of the African-American teenager killed in Ferguson, Missouri, earlier this month will take place in St. Louis Monday in the presence of the White House representatives amid mass anti-police protests around the United States.
The ceremony of Michael Brown's burrial is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. local time (15:00 GMT) at the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church, which can fit up to 4,500 people. Those unable to get inside will have an opportunity to watch the live broadcast of the ceremony, conducted by the teen's uncle.
Three White House officials, including a St. Louis-native, Marlon Marshall, who went to the same school as the victim's mother, are expected at the funeral.
The ceremony comes amid numerous protests in St. Louis, Washington and other parts of the country, with the demonstrators demanding the arrest of the white police officer, Darren Wilson, who shot dead the unarmed 18-year old African-American on August 9.
The situation in Ferguson, where African-American residents make up 65 percent of the town’s population, has brought up the issues of racial discrimination, human rights violations as well as an increased militarization of law enforcement. Law enforcers have been criticized for bringing military tactics to civilian protests, toting assault rifles and using tear gas, rubber bullets and other heavy-handed measures.
On Saturday, US President Barack Obama ordered a review of outfitting police with arms and military weapons, The New York Times wrote citing senior government officials.
The grand jury began the hearing of evidence on the shooting Wednesday and is expected to decide on the possible charges against Wilson by mid-October. The inquiry hinges on whether Wilson fired in self-defense.
