Michael Brown verdict: Far from Ferguson thousands march in nationwide protests

In cities across America, citizens take to the streets over the decision not to charge officer Darren Wilson for shooting dead unarmed 18-year-old

Thousands took to the streets of cities across the United States in renewed protests over the grand jury decision in Ferguson – with the demonstrations lasting into this morning.

Mirroring the second night of protests seen in the Missouri suburb, the protests in cities from Los Angeles on the west coast to New York on the east coast showed that the decision not to charge officer Darren Wilson had stirred tensions far from Ferguson.

The protests were mainly peaceful, although there were a number of incidents and arrests made. In New York, thousands marched through Manhattan, with at least one group in Times Square, where there were at least 10 arrests.

In California, hundreds marched in Los Angeles, with a group of protesters bringing traffic to a halt on the 101 highway, while in Oakland – where there were several arrests – protesters vandalised police cars and businesses in the city centre, smashing windows at restaurants and shops.

In Minneapolis, there was a dramatic moment when a car struck a protester at a rally near a police station and then burst through a pack of others who surrounded it. A woman suffered minor injuries. The incident is said to be under investigation. There were also demonstrations in Cincinnati, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and a number of other cities.

And in London, more than 1,000 people protested outside the US embassy then marched down Oxford Street. Many of the protesters held placards that read “jail racist cops” and “black lives matter”, while others carried candles.