Protests over shooting of Michael Brown settle in Ferguson, but heat up in California

As demonstrations in California heated up overnight, the robust protests in Ferguson dwindled in size and severity, a change from the days immediately following the grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer in the shooting death of an unarmed black 18-year-old.

People have begun cleaning up the battered suburban community of Ferguson and seeking something closer to normal. Meanwhile, a group gathered in downtown St Louis yesterday for what the organiser called a "pro-community" car cruise.

Organiser Paul Byrd said the cruise, which consisted of a few vehicles, was meant to be peaceful and to counteract the violence this week after Officer Darren Wilson was not indicted in the shooting of Michael Brown.

Byrd, a 45-year-old construction worker, declined to say whether he supported Wilson but noted, "I totally support police officers." No protesters showed up.

The racially charged case has stoked passions nationwide, triggering debates over the relationship between black communities and law enforcement.

There were no reports of major confrontations or damage to property overnight in Ferguson - where about 100 people marched in a light snow - and St Louis County police said there were only two arrests. Troops with rifles were posted at intersections and car parks in an area where stores were looted and burned on Monday and Tuesday.