Obama on Ferguson: Time to listen, not just shout

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is calling for understanding to calm the racially charged anger that has consumed Ferguson, Missouri, since the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by a white police officer.

The president said that while the vast majority of protesters in the St. Louis suburb were peaceful, he warned that looting and attacks on police by a small minority was undermining justice for 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Obama said Attorney General Eric Holder would travel to Ferguson this week to meet with FBI and other officials carrying out an independent federal investigation into Brown’s death. He said he has told Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon he would be monitoring the use of the National Guard to see whether the operation was helping or hurting the situation

190-w-35-(Sagar Meghani (SAH’-gur meh-GAH’-nee), AP national security correspondent, with President Barack Obama)–The president is calling for understanding and peace in the Missouri town where police killed an unarmed black man. AP National Security Correspondent Sagar Meghani reports from the Pentagon. (18 Aug 2014)

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188-a-12-(President Barack Obama, in statement)-“from one another”-President Obama says the community and police in Ferguson and other U.S. communities must “listen and not just shout.” (18 Aug 2014)

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185-a-14-(President Barack Obama, with reporters)-“on their progress”-President Obama says Eric Holder will head to Missouri this week. (18 Aug 2014)

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187-a-18-(President Barack Obama, with reporters)-“wound each other”-President Obama says while he understands the anger over Michael Brown’s death, the community needs to come together. ((note length of cut)) (18 Aug 2014)

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186-a-16-(President Barack Obama, with reporters)-“and stir chaos”-President Obama says Ferguson needs to unite and protest peacefully. (18 Aug 2014)

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APPHOTO WHCD113: President Barack Obama speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, Monday, Aug. 18, 2014. Taking a two-day break from summer vacation, Obama met with top advisers at the White House to review developments in Iraq and in racially charged Ferguson, Mo., two trouble spots where Obama has ordered his administration to intervene. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (18 Aug 2014)

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APPHOTO DCSW108: President Barack Obama speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room in the White House in Washington, Monday, Aug. 18, 2014. Taking a two-day break from summer vacation, Obama met with top advisers at the White House to review developments in Iraq and in racially charged Ferguson, Mo., two trouble spots where Obama has ordered his administration to intervene. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (18 Aug 2014)

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Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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