Updated 7:47pm: The streets of Ferguson, Missouri, are decidedly calmer after two days of nationwide protests against the decision not to prosecute a white policeman who shot dead an unarmed black teenager.

Just a few dozen protesters and clergy braved rain and light snow to protest outside the police department in the St Louis suburb, where 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed on August 9.

A Missouri grand jury decided on Monday not to prosecute Officer Darren Wilson, who fired the fatal shots - a move that inspired coast-to-coast anger in the US.

Slightly better night in Ferguson

Another night of violence on the streets of Ferguson over the Michael Brown case.

At least 44 people were arrested.

But there was no repeat of the widespread looting, shooting and arsons of the night before.

CNN's Chris Cuomo reports Barack Obama acknowledges much of the unrest is not just about Michael Brown.

"President Obama says it's not just made up that communities of colour don't always believe they're being treated fairly."

Barack Obama says it's rooted in realities that have existed in the United States for a long time.