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The World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee has expressed deep concern over recent developments in the United States following the Grand Jury’s decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown.

The 9 August shooting of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black man, by Darren Wilson, 28, a white police officer, have sparked protests and civil unrest in the United States.

“We are particularly alarmed by the renewed violence experienced in the city of Ferguson, Missouri, and the risks this poses to lives and livelihoods,” states a WCC Minute, issued on 26 November, following the committee's meeting in Paralimni, Cyprus.

The WCC Executive Committee joined the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, in “expressing appreciation to the churches and faith communities in St. Louis, Missouri, who have declared themselves 'sanctuary churches' and 'sacred spaces'”.

“The current situation in Missouri underlines the deep-rooted problems of race relations and racial profiling in the United States of America. We stress that the human dignity of everyone must be respected regardless of race, ethnicity, or culture, and the critical importance of justice being seen to be done,” reads the document.

Minute on Racial Tensions in the United States of America

National Council of Churches statement on the grand jury action in Ferguson, MO

WCC member churches in the United States of America