23 arrests as Ferguson protesters hit streets

The gathering, which stretched into the early morning, came a day after a protest that was interrupted by gunfire and a police shooting that left an 18-year-old man critically injured.

The violence set the St Louis suburb on edge and had protest leaders worried about whether tensions would escalate.

St Louis County executive Steve Stenger declared a state of emergency, which authorised county police chief Jon Belmar to take control of police emergency management in and around Ferguson.

By early Monday evening, hundreds of people had gathered again along West Florissant Avenue, the site of massive protests and rioting after Mr Brown was fatally shot last year in a confrontation with a Ferguson police officer.

The protesters chanted, beat drums and carried signs. When some in the group moved into a traffic lane, officers in riot gear forced people out of the street. Some demonstrators threw water bottles and other debris at officers.

By 1am local time, the crowd and police presence along West Florissant had been begun to diminish.

Approximately 23 arrests were made, though police were still confirming official totals, a police spokesman said.

There were no shots fired and no burglaries, looting or property damage during the protest, the spokesman added.

He said no smoke or tear gas was used, and no police or civilians reported injuries.