The protesters on the busy suburban St Louis street not far from the place where a white police officer fatally shot an unarmed black teenager have walked from nearby apartments, driven from neighbouring communities or flown in from states hundreds of miles away. Some are young parents carrying infants. Others, college students, retirees, professionals taking a break from their jobs.

The demonstrators are demanding justice for 18-year-old Michael Brown, which they say can only be accomplished if Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson is charged and convicted for the shooting. Many also cite larger causes.

So the protesters chant "Hands up! Don't shoot!" while raising their own arms. They write the words on posters, and print them on T-shirts. In this gallery, we publish some of the most powerful placards and signs.

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Demonstrators protesting against the shooting of Michael Brown hold signs in Ferguson, Missouri Getty
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A man holds up a poster with protest slogans on it as demonstrators gather along West Florissant Avenue Getty
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Supporters of Michael Brown's family attend a rally at Greater Grace Church Getty
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Children hold protest signs as they demonstrate in Ferguson, Missouri Reuters
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A young girl holds a sign during a peaceful protest on West Florissant Road in Ferguson AFP
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Demonstrators protest outside Greater St Marks Family Church in Ferguson Reuters
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A demonstrator holds a copy of Blacks Law Dictionary during a peaceful march down West Florissant Lucas Jackson / Reuters
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Justin Reed, a demonstrator protesting Michael Brown's murder, poses for a portrait with his sign Getty
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A woman writes a message while attending a vigil to honour Michael Brown in Brooklyn, New York Reuters
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A protester holds a sign as others raise their hands during a demonstration against the shooting of Michael Brown and the resulting police response in Ferguson Reuters
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A woman displays a sign during a vigil held in Brooklyn to honour Michael Brown Reuters
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Demonstrators display signs during a protest on West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson Reuters
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Protesters march with a banner listing the names of people killed by law enforcement Reuters
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A demonstrator displays a sign during a protest in Ferguson, Missouri AFP
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Scott Olson / Getty Images
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Getty
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A sign hangs from a tree near the spot where 18-year-old Mike Brown was shot by police Scott Olson / Getty Images
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Protesters hold signs during a demonstration in Ferguson, Missouri Reuters
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A demonstrator holds a sign calling for the arrest of Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri Joshua Lott/Reuters
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Demonstrators display a sign calling for US president Barack Obama to visit Ferguson Getty
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