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Ferguson protestors, police need training

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Rep. Corrine Brown describes the situation in Ferguson Missouri as a sad state stemming from a situation that should have never happened.

Ferguson Missouri has been the city with repeat nights of violent protestors clashing with police.  Brown says the peaceful daytime protests remind her of what happened in our state.

“We had a similar situation in Sanford, Florida, with Trayvon Martin.  But we of course we had the marches and had the protests, but we absolutely handled it differently,” says Brown.

Ferguson has been plagued with violence where looters raid stores and some even return the tear gas that is thrown at them. Capt. Ron Johnson with the Missouri State Highway Patrol says the ongoing violence should not define the city.

“I am not going to let the criminals that have come out here from across the country or live in this community define this neighborhood and define what we’re going to do to make it right,” he says.

Brown says it’s all about training.

“I just think it needs to be more training on how do you peacefully protest and how does the law enforcement enforce,” says Brown.

Brown says she’s watching closely and paying special attention to how law enforcement is treating treating large crowds.

“I think part of how law enforcement has handled it has generated part of the violence. It’s been an overreaction,” says Brown.

Brown says she hopes future protests are peaceful.