Nationwide protests flare after decision

Protesters around the country on Monday night gathered in opposition to a Missouri grand jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in connection with the shooting death of Ferguson teenager Michael Brown.

{mosads}One demonstrator threw red paint at New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton — who leads a department that has been criticized for its role in the death of several unarmed black men.

But for the most part, the events were peaceful. More than a thousand protesters walked from Union Square, in downtown Manhattan, to Times Square in midtown.

Protesters also shut down traffic on two bridges between Manhattan and Brooklyn, and Manhattan and Queens.

In the District of Columbia, around 300 protesters gathered outside the White House. The demonstration remained nonviolent, according to NBC Washington. While police were present, they did not intervene or attempt to stop the event.

Hundreds protested in Chicago, shutting down Lake Shore Drive but not damaging any property.

Other assemblies were smaller. In Los Angeles, there were “dozens” of protesters, according to KTLA.

The reactions were more contained than in Ferguson, where protesters angry with the decision clashed with police.

In Missouri, businesses were looted, and cars and structures set on fire. There were reports of gunfire.

It was not clear how many of the protesters in Ferguson had acted violently, but the scene had calmed down by Tuesday morning.