Georgia Rep. John Lewis has called on President Obama to declare martial law in Ferguson, Mo.

The congressman made the public call Thursday afternoon as protesters continue to clash with police in Ferguson after a cop shot and killed unarmed black teen Michael Brown Saturday night. (RELATED: Is This America? Stunning Photos From Violent Protests In Ferguson, Mo.)

“People have a right to protest,” Lewis said on MSNBC. “They have a right to dissent. They have a right to march in an orderly, peaceful, non-violent fashion. And the press has a right to cover it. Ferguson, Mo. is not the Congo. It is not China. It is not Russia. We can do better.”

“President Obama should use the authority of his office to declare martial law,” he continued. “Federalize the Missouri National Guard to protect people as they protest.”

Follow Rachel on Twitter