Ferguson: Pictures of the protests over police killing

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Since the shooting of unarmed black teenager by police in Ferguson, Missouri, 10 days ago, the town has been the scene of angry protests.

President Barack Obama has said he understood the "passions and anger" provoked by the death of Michael Brown. Continue after the Break cut..

But despite his call for calm, there have been disturbances on the streets and US police say they arrested 31 people last night.

The demonstrators are calling for "justice" for Michael Brown.

They say the police officer who shot and killed him, Darren Wilson, should be arrested.

There is an official FBI investigation into the killing, while the family of 18-year-old Mr Brown ordered an independent post-mortem, which they say shows he was shot six times.

Relatives of Mr Brown said the community has come together to support them in their time of need.

Police and protestors have been facing-off - with authorities firing tear gas into crowds. The National Guard has also been brought in to support police.

Tension between the groups is high.

Police Captain Ron Johnson said officers were forced to fire tear gas on Tuesday after they came under heavy gunfire and were attacked with petrol bombs and bottles.

"Anyone who has been at these protests understands that there is a dangerous dynamic in the night: it allows a small number of violent agitators to hide in the crowd and then attempt to create chaos," Capt Johnson said.

Meanwhile authorities have been accused of curtailing the freedom of the press, stopping reporters doing their jobs and in some cases arresting them.

Of the 21,205 people who live in Ferguson, 65% identify as black or black African. Black police officers in the area make up 6% of the force.

Nelly has joined the protestors on the streets in Ferguson, although he tweeted that he disagreed with the looting

More than one in five people there live below the poverty line.

Shawn, a Ferguson resident, said, "These are our young black men that are being gunned down in the streets all over America."

Trey Songz has posted a video asking for donations to a local foodbank to help disadvantaged kids in the area

There have also been reports of looting in the area.

Some people who spoke with the BBC said much of the protest had been peaceful.

"What they're not showing in a lot of the media is how diverse these groups of people coming out are and how welcoming everybody is," said Sarah from nearby University City, who spent a number of days in Ferguson.

"It's really wonderful to be in this community right now. There's so much love and support."