Nov 28, 2014

Ferguson became a flashpoint for often troubled U.S. race relations after officer Darren Wilson shot dead Michael Brown on Aug. 9.

The Ferguson area, and the Canfield Green Apartments near where Michael Brown was killed, has been struggling to return to normal since.

: People pray at a church during a Thanksgiving service in Ferguson, Missouri, on November 27, 2014. Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis, has seen violent protests since the explosive decision by a Missouri grand jury not to charge a police Officer Darren Wilson, who shot dead 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9. The decision revived long-standing questions about the treatment of young African Americans by police — questions again asked after the weekend shooting in Cleveland of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. (Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)

: A “prayer wall” is pictured at a church during a Thanksgiving service in Ferguson, Missouri, on November 27, 2014. Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis, has seen violent protests since the explosive decision by a Missouri grand jury not to charge a police Officer Darren Wilson, who shot dead 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9. The decision revived long-standing questions about the treatment of young African Americans by police — questions again asked after the weekend shooting in Cleveland of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. (Jewel SamadJ/AFP/Getty Images)

: People pray at a church during a Thanksgiving service in Ferguson, Missouri, on November 27, 2014. Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis, has seen violent protests since the explosive decision by a Missouri grand jury not to charge a police Officer Darren Wilson, who shot dead 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9. The decision revived long-standing questions about the treatment of young African Americans by police — questions again asked after the weekend shooting in Cleveland of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. (Jewel SamadJ/AFP/Getty Images)

: Churchgoer Clarence Williams listens to a Thanksgiving service that discussed the communities reaction to ongoing protests in reaction to the grand jury verdict in the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri November 27, 2014. A small but spirited congregation assembled at the Greater St. Mark Family Church, a gathering point for protesters and religious leaders, for the Thanksgiving service where many offered appreciation for their blessings after a tumultuous week. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

: Churchgoers Brian Hogan (R) and Marquise Allen joke around they listen to a Thanksgiving service that discussed the communities reaction to ongoing protests in reaction to the grand jury verdict in the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri November 27, 2014. A small but spirited congregation assembled at the Greater St. Mark Family Church, a gathering point for protesters and religious leaders, for the Thanksgiving service where many offered appreciation for their blessings after a tumultuous week. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

: Jackie Mims prepares a Thanksgiving lunch at Wellspring Church November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Tension still run high in the Ferguson community after Michael Brown, a 18-year-old black male teenager was fatally wounded by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson Police officer on August 9, 2014. A St. Louis County 12-member grand jury who reviewed evidence related to the shooting decided Monday not to indict Wilson with charges sparking riots through out Ferguson. (Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images)

: A National Guard troop stands outside of a closed Walmart November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Local businesses still remain closed to consumers in Ferguson as tension continue to still run high the community after Michael Brown, a 18-year-old black male teenager was fatally wounded by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson Police officer on August 9, 2014. A St. Louis County 12-member grand jury who reviewed evidence related to the shooting decided Monday not to indict Wilson with charges sparking riots through out Ferguson. (Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images)

: David Whitt (R) and Jacob Crawford shop groceries for Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2014 near Ferguson, Missouri. Whitt lives in the Canfield Green Apartments near where Michael Brown was killed. Crawford works with Copwatch an organization that monitors police activity in neighborhoods. Whitt started a Copwatch chapter in Ferguson after Brown was killed. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: David Whitt shops for groceries for Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2014 near Ferguson, Missouri. Whitt lives in the Canfield Green Apartments near where Michael Brown was killed. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: David Whitt (R) and Jacob Crawford shop groceries for Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2014 near Ferguson, Missouri. Whitt lives in the Canfield Green Apartments near where Michael Brown was killed. Crawford works with Copwatch an organization that monitors police activity in neighborhoods. Whitt started a Copwatch chapter in Ferguson after Brown was killed. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: David Whitt speaks to visitors at the Michael Brown memorial on Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2014 near Ferguson, Missouri. Whitt lives in the Canfield Green Apartments near where Michael Brown was killed. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: David Whitt, standing next to a burned out car, checks on visitors to the Michael Brown memorial at the Canfield Green Apartments on Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2014 near Ferguson, Missouri. Whitt started a Copwatch chapter in Ferguson to monitor police activity after Brown was killed. The car, which belonged to a journalist, was torched on Tuesday evening. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: David Whitt, standing next to a burned out car, checks on visitors to the Michael Brown memorial at the Canfield Green Apartments on Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2014 near Ferguson, Missouri. Whitt started a Copwatch chapter in Ferguson to monitor police activity after Brown was killed. The car, which belonged to a journalist, was torched on Tuesday evening. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: David Whitt, standing next to a burned out car, checks on visitors to the Michael Brown memorial at the Canfield Green Apartments on Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2014 near Ferguson, Missouri. Whitt started a Copwatch chapter in Ferguson to monitor police activity after Brown was killed. The car, which belonged to a journalist, was torched on Tuesday evening. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: People visit the Michael Brown memorial in the Canfield Green Apartments on Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: People visit the Michael Brown memorial in the Canfield Green Apartments on Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: People visit the Michael Brown memorial in the Canfield Green Apartments on Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: People visit the Michael Brown memorial in the Canfield Green Apartments on Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: A family visits the Michael Brown memorial in the Canfield Green Apartments on Thanksgiving Day on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Rev. Shonda Gladden and Mikael Merchant hug as Brad Hill stands behind them on Thursday in Ferguson, Missouri at a memorial for Michael Brown. (Eric Thayer/Washington Post)

: David Whitt plays with his children David Jr. (L) and Aurolla while preparing Thanksgiving dinner with his wife at their home in the Canfield Green Apartments where Michael Brown was killed on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: David Whitt and his wife Aurellia Davis hang out while preparing Thanksgiving dinner at their home in the Canfield Green Apartments where Michael Brown was killed on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 525783349

: Aurellia Davis (C) hangs out with her family while preparing Thanksgiving dinner at her home in the Canfield Green Apartments where Michael Brown was killed on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: David Whitt (L) and Jacob Crawford prepare a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Whitt lives in the Canfield Green Apartments near where Michael Brown was killed. Crawford works with Copwatch an organization that monitors police activity in neighborhoods. Whitt started a Copwatch chapter in Ferguson after Brown was killed. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Aurellia Davis (L) and Jacob Crawford prepare Thanksgiving dinner at Davis’s home in the Canfield Green Apartments where Michael Brown was killed on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Crawford works with Copwatch an organization that monitors police activity in neighborhoods. Davis’ husband David Whitt started a Copwatch chapter in Ferguson after Brown was killed.The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Residents of Canfield Green Apatments where Michael Brown was killled gather for a Thanksgiving dinner on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Residents of Canfield Green Apartments, where Michael Brown was killled, gather for a Thanksgiving dinner on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Aurellia Davis (L) and her husband David Whitt have Thanksgiving dinner with their children at the Canfield Green Apartments where Michael Brown was killed on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Residents of Canfield Green Apartments where Michael Brown was killled gather for a Thanksgiving dinner on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Aurellia Davis (R) has Thanksgiving dinner with her family and other residents of the Canfield Green Apatments where Michael Brown was killled on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: David Whitt sits down for a Thanksgiving dinner with his wife Aurellia and son Byron on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Whitt and his family live in the Canfield Green Apartments near where Michael Brown was killed. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Aurellia Davis sits down with her children Byron (L), Aurolla (C), and David for Thanksgiving dinner on November 27, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Aurella and her family live in the the Canfield Green Apartments near where Michael Brown was killed. The Ferguson area has been struggling to return to normal since the August 9 shooting of Brown, an 18-year-old black man, who was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Monday, when the grand jury announced that Wilson would not face charges in the shooting, rioting and looting broke out throughout the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: A boy carries a ladder past a quote by Chinese philosopher Laozi as he and other residents painted murals over boarded-up businesses in Ferguson, Missouri November 27, 2014. Tensions eased in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson on Thursday after two nights of violence and looting sparked by racially charged anger over a grand jury’s decision not to charge a white police officer for fatally shooting an unarmed black teenager. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

: Local residents paint murals over boarded up businesses in Ferguson, Missouri November 27, 2014. Tensions eased in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson on Thursday after two nights of violence and looting sparked by racially charged anger over a grand jury’s decision not to charge a white police officer for fatally shooting an unarmed black teenager. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

: Boys paint murals over boarded-up businesses in Ferguson, Missouri November 27, 2014. Tensions eased in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson on Thursday after two nights of violence and looting sparked by racially charged anger over a grand jury’s decision not to charge a white police officer for fatally shooting an unarmed black teenager. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

: A holiday sign hangs in front of the Ferguson Police Department on a Thanksgiving evening that has thus far been devoid of protests in Ferguson, Missouri November 27, 2014. Tensions eased in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson on Thursday after two nights of violence and looting sparked by racially charged anger over a grand jury’s decision not to charge a white police officer for fatally shooting an unarmed black teenager. Protests also dwindled elsewhere in the United States as the Thanksgiving Day holiday and wintry weather kept many indoors. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

The U.S. Justice Department is probing possible civil rights abuses, and President Barack Obama has called for reflection on the difficulties minorities face in the country.

The grand jury’s decision on Monday not to charge Wilson prompted a spasm of fury in Ferguson. About a dozen businesses were torched and more than 100 people were arrested in clashes with riot police that rumbled on into Tuesday night.

But Wednesday and Thursday were far quieter, with no major incidents reported.

Thanksgiving in Ferguson

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