Police Brace For Protests Ahead Of Ferguson Grand Jury Decision
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Police departments across Southern California and around the nation were bracing for possible protests Monday evening when a decision by the grand jury in the Michael Brown shooting case was expected to be announced.
Community activist Najee Ali is calling on other local activists to gather in Leimert Park to await an announcement amid reports that a grand jury decision is imminent on whether to indict Ferguson, Missouri, police Officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Brown.
The announcement expected Monday evening comes more than three months after Ferguson officer Wilson shot Brown, triggering weeks of protests.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is reaching out to St. Louis-area clergy in advance of a grand jury announcement on whether Wilson will be charged.
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Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable President Earl Ofari Hutchinson told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO said he expects protesters in Los Angeles to remain calm regardless of the grand jury outcome.
"They'll be monitors out there too, just to make sure whatever protests there are...will be peaceful," said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson previously signaled he would launch a nationwide petition if there is non-action by the grand jury against Wilson.
According to Hutchinson, the petition would call on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to authorize a "fast track" prosecution of Wilson on civil rights charges in the Brown slaying.