The streets of the central U.S. town of Ferguson, Missouri witnessed peace for a third consecutive night after nearly two weeks of violence and unrest that followed the death of the black teenager, Michael Brown, who was fatally shot by a white police officer, Darren Wilson, on August 9.

The National Guard began pulling out of Ferguson Friday. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon ordered the removal of the National Guard, saying the situation had “greatly improved with fewer incidents of outside instigators interfering with peaceful protesters, and fewer acts of violence.”

Wilson is on paid leave, with Brown’s family and supporters calling for his arrest.

Brown’s shooting has raised allegations of institutionalized racism and excessive use of force by police.

Two St. Louis area police officers have been suspended from their positions because of racially charged statements on the Internet.

The incidents have highlighted the racial divide in Ferguson, a largely black town where almost all the police force and local politicians are white. Civil rights activists say Brown’s death followed years of police targeting blacks.
In the early hours and days after Mike Brown was gunned down, Ferguson, Mike Brown and St Louis were all among the most Tweeted-about topics worldwide. The platform exploded with the activity of community champions, citizen and professional journalists, and state and local officials, many of whom are now receiving international media attention.

City alderman Antonio French became the public face of the conflict, doing cable news interviews by day and holding back protesters from police lines by night, live tweeting it all. Democratic Missouri State Representative Maria Chappelle Nadal faced tear gas alongside protesters and has been a vocal critic of Governor Jay Nixon on social media.

Likewise, State Senator for Missouri’s 5th district Jamilah Nasheed and Patricia Bynes, a Democratic Committeewoman for the 1st congressional district, have stood with protesters while sharing updates, photos and press coverage. St. Louis-based, Universal Group-distributed rapper Tef Poe , who has family in the area, was tweeting from the scene within hours. His feed has reflected the outrage of young black men in North St. Louis and other places.

Meanwhile, the federal investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Brown’s funeral is set for Monday.