Following the death of Michael Brown, an African-American teenager, at the hands of a white police officer on Aug. 9, police in Ferguson, Mo., have cracked down on protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Amid the chaos, however, there have also been inspiring scenes of kindness and generosity. Here are some of the ways people are helping each other in Ferguson:
Handing out food, water, diapers and other supplies to those in need:
Pampers, children's books, and food being given out to people who live on Canfield in #Ferguson. pic.twitter.com/8rX9XmDK6F
-- Diana Zoga KMOV (@DIANAZOGA) August 18, 2014
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on Sunday that a group of volunteers grilled more than 300 hot dogs for the Ferguson community and the police.
"We're offering free lunch to anyone who comes by and the police," Ferguson resident Mary Skees told the paper.
Helping protesters hit with tear gas:
"It felt like my eyes got knocked out of my head," Cassandra Roberts, the woman in the above photo, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "My nose was running and I couldn't breathe."
Roberts said she was marching in Ferguson for the first time on Sunday, to show solidarity with the protesters. After she was hit with tear gas, a member of the crowd grabbed her and helped her to the McDonald's.
"We thought it could be a peaceful night," Roberts told the paper. "I just came down here to support my people. What the hell is going on in this world?"
Sheltering strangers in their homes:
Giving rides to strangers:
Letting someone borrow a phone to call their mom:
Protecting stores from looting:
"Ain't nobody going in this motherfucker, bro" - resident guarding beauty store pic.twitter.com/NMS55aH1Tg
-- Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 16, 2014
Attempt to loot store that Michael Brown allegedly stole from stopped by community members
-- Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 16, 2014
Helping to clean up:
Outside groups are pitching in, too:
- With the start of school delayed, fundraising campaigns are underway to benefit hungry kids who rely on school-provided meals. HuffPost Impact runs down the ways that you can help.
- ESPN reports that the St. Louis Rams gave free tickets to the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers this weekend to three Ferguson high school football teams.
- A "concerned citizen" in New York has launched a Kickstarter campaign to purchase gas masks for the Ferguson protesters.
- The Wisconsin Hope Lab helped to secure college scholarships for Michael Brown's three siblings.
Some police officers have also been helping to reduce tensions:
Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol has walked side by side with the protesters, giving out hugs and kisses. A Ferguson native, Johnson was credited with sharply changing the tone of the relationship between the police and the protesters. The night of Thursday, Aug. 14 was the first night since the protests began that no violence was reported (though the peace was short-lived).
Observers have highlighted the efforts of other law enforcement officials as well:
Lt. Feusting is the only officer with his name tag on. "I don't take this off for anything." pic.twitter.com/aUQ9owGxQi
-- Nigel Duara (@nigelduara) August 18, 2014
If you've seen any random acts of kindness in Ferguson, please let us know.