Law enforcement officials and protesters both are gearing up for what could be another tumultuous period in Ferguson, MO, as the Grand Jury decision of the indictment of Officer Darren Wilson will be announced any day. Wilson is the white Ferguson police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, a black unarmed teenager, over three months ago in what many see as a case of racially motivated excessive use of force.
For months, the St. Louis suburb has been a firestorm of protests, riots, and police brutality. But the issues surrounding Brown’s death have also sparked a national debate about race, discrimination, excessive use of force, and what many see as the over-militarization of our nation’s police. Protests that raged during the immediate aftermath of Brown’s killing have largely died down, but with the announcement of Wilson’s indictment set to come at any time, renewed anger — from both sides of the argument — is almost sure to erupt.
The anticipation of violence is so high that US Attorney General Eric Holder addressed the issue again, calling for calm from the communities and restraint from the country’s law enforcement. In addition to Holder’s comments, Brown’s father also addressed the upcoming indictment results, urging people for calm no matter what the outcome. But Missouri Governor Jay Nixon is not taking any chances and has declared a State of Emergency for the entire St. Louis region. By doing so, the governor has cleared the way for the state’s National Guard and other agencies to take over should there be mass unrest when the jury decision is made public.
Tempers are sure to flare when a decision on Officer Wilson is released. We certainly understand the emotions of those directly affected by police brutality and discrimination, but we want everyone to stay safe out there!
