'A Very Good Night' in Ferguson as Peace Preserved

Activism replaced clashes, with only six arrests reported.

ByABC News
August 21, 2014, 3:23 AM

— -- Peaceful protests and community activism replaced violent clashes in the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, overnight, with only six arrests reported, police said.

Unrest has ruled in the St. Louis suburb since the Aug. 9 police shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown.

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Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, speaking at an early-morning news conference, said the protesters remained mostly orderly, showing a marked improvement from the previous night, when 47 people were arrested.

“Tonight was a very good night,” Johnson said.

PHOTO: People march to protest the shooting of Michael Brown, Aug. 20, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo.
People march to protest the shooting of Michael Brown, Aug. 20, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo.

Johnson said a few minor incidents were reported, such as an officer hit by a water bottle, but the officer wasn’t injured.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon visited Ferguson Wednesday, as did U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

Attorney General Eric Holder greets Captain Ron Johnson in Ferguson, Mo., Aug. 20, 2014.
Attorney General Eric Holder greets Captain Ron Johnson in Ferguson, Mo., Aug. 20, 2014.

A decision on whether the officer who shot Brown, Darren Wilson, would be indicted will not come quickly, St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch said Wednesday. McCullough predicted it could take until the middle of October for the grand jury to decide whether to charge Wilson.

Grand juries typically meet one day a week.

McCulloch said the grand jury investigation will be thorough.

"They will have absolutely everything there is, every piece of paper, every photograph, every bit of physical evidence, all of the forensic information," the district attorney said.