Gone were the blazing
buildings, set on fire during the most contentious nights of protest
this week.
So were the stone-faced National Guard troops, standing in a
single file, facing angry protesters.
Though troops remained on
duty, instead of hurling insults at them, residents spread some
goodwill, bringing them turkey and other treats.
"We just all have to make sure that we are taking care of one another," Terry Pimmel told CNN affiliate KSDK. "That is our mission."
Bundled-up volunteers
painted murals on plywood covering gaping holes where windows once
stood, a stark reminder of looting and vandalism of stores just a few
days ago.
"We came out here because
we thought that anything would be better than just blank plywood," Avi
Ryan, 13, told CNN affiliate KMOV.
And for Michael Brown's
family, it was the first Thanksgiving without him. Relatives gathered at
his father's house, an empty chair sitting at the dining table.
A shirt with the words
"Gone Too Soon" was draped over the chair while his father, Michael
Brown Sr., stood nearby wearing a shirt with the words "Justice."
The younger Brown, 18, was fatally shot in August by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.
A grand jury's decision Monday not to indict Wilson sparked protests in
the St. Louis suburb, which later spread from coast to coast.
Black Friday boycott
Protesters are urging
supporters to boycott shopping on Black Friday. And if they do shop,
take their money to black-owned businesses, some of which they listed on
social media.
Supporters have been urged to boycott major retailers nationwide.
In St. Louis, protesters went from one store to another as part of the protests, CNN affiliate KTVI reported.
With $1 trillion in buying power annually, according to Nielsen, African-Americans carry a lot of economic clout, more so on the heaviest shopping day of the year.
Celebration postponed
Ferguson postponed its
annual Northern Lights celebration, which was scheduled for Sunday. The
event includes a parade and the lighting of the Christmas tree.
"The decision was
difficult, but ultimately, all involved felt postponing the event is the
most appropriate course of action at this time," the city said in a
statement.
Other protests
Despite a few calm nights in Ferguson, sporadic protests broke out in some cities nationwide.
In New York, seven
people were arrested for disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly
Thursday near the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They were arrested
after several people broke through barriers near the parade route to
protest the grand jury decision not to indict Wilson.
They were allegedly throwing bottles at stores and breaking windows, according to the New York Police Department.
CNN News
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