Missouri Gov. Declares State Of Emergency Ahead Of Ferguson Grand Jury Decision
By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 17, 2014 10:25PM
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (C) stands with St. Louis Chief of Police Sam Dotson (L) and Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson during a press conference held to discuss security concerns when the grand jury's decision in the Michael Brown case is announced on November 11, 2014 in Weldon Springs, Missouri. (Photo credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)
With a grand jury expected this week to reveal whether to indict Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson in the August shooting death of Michael Brown, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency in the Show Me State in case protests in the St. Louis suburb lead to clashes between police and activists.
Nixon cited the “possibility of expanded unrest” in giving the order to mobilize the Missouri National Guard and that, while people have the right to protest peacefully, citizens and businesses must be protected in the event violence erupts.
As Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowery notes, few should be shocked at Nixon's decision.
Nixon had said previously that National Guard would be used post-GJ. In order for that, he has to invoke state of emergency.
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) November 17, 2014So I don't think there is much reason to read too much into it being invoked today. We knew this was coming
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) November 17, 2014St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay said the National Guard would be brought in this week and would serve a secondary role to local law enforcement.
“We do not want to make this look like it’s the militarization of our police department,” Slay said. “The cops are just here to keep the peace. They’re not here to clash with protesters.”
"We do not want to make this look like it's the militarization of our police department."
Photo credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Getty Images Photo
Getty Images Photo
Of course not.
Darren Wilson was identified as the cop who shot and killed Michael Brown Aug. 9. Brown was unarmed. An autopsy revealed Brown was shot six times in the arm, head and torso and was shot while facing Wilson. Police in Ferguson violently responded to protestors for over a week before Nixon called in the National Guard to help restore order.