Ferguson Gov. Jay Nixon Announces Plan for Aftermath of Verdict Announcement
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon addressed the town of Ferguson on Tuesday and revealed a plan for handling any civil disturbances in the aftermath of the grand jury's decision whether to indict officer Darren Wilson.
"The [National] Guard will be available when we determine it is necessary to support local law enforcement," Nixon said at a press conference. "Quite simply, we must and will be fully prepared. As governor, the most important part of my job is keeping the people of Missouri safe."
The town of Ferguson has been preparing for the grand jury's verdict as to whether Officer Darren Wilson will be indicted in the shooting of unarmed teen, Michael Brown. Wilson shot and killed Brown in August, leading to outrage among the citizens of Ferguson. There were several protests, peaceful and not peaceful, that have continued even now. The state has been trying to work with the public to better relations between officials and the public. However, Nixon's press conference upset some people and seemingly made things worse.
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"In the days immediately following Michael Brown's death, peaceful protests were marred by senseless acts of violence and destruction," Nixon continued. "Vandals smashed the windows of small businesses. Criminals looted and set fire to stores. Gunshots and Molotov cocktails endangered citizens exercising their First Amendment rights and law enforcement attempting to maintain peace. That ugliness was not representative of Missouri, and it cannot be repeated."
"Until the governor chooses to truly address the systemic issues that the murder of Michael Brown brought to the surface for many Americans, no press release or commission board will truly help this community move forward from this tragedy," Ashley Yates, co-creator of Millennial Activists United, told USA Today.
The governor explained that he wanted people to feel free to gather and speak their minds, but many question as to how free they truly will be in the aftermath of the verdict.
"For nearly 100 days, the preponderance of violence has come from the hands of police," community organizer Damon Davis added. "We have proven we can peacefully assemble and function at a protest, can the police say the same?"
Nixon said that the grand jury is currently deliberating and will announce their decision in mid or late November.
