Local Civic, Religious Leaders Call For Calm In Preparation Of Grand Jury Decision On Ferguson Shooting
WEST ADAMS (CBSLA.com) — Civic and religious leaders in Southern California are calling for calm as they await a decision on whether the police officer who killed Michael Brown will face prosecution.
The August 9 shooting in Ferguson, Missouri has sparked weeks of sometimes violent and racially-charged riots.
KCAL9's Joy Benedict reports police in Los Angeles are taking precautionary steps, making sure additional officers are in place prior to the announcement of the grand jury decision should protests break out.
Community leaders in the West Adams district say they plan to gather within one hour of the announcement, expected at any moment.
They are encouraging others in the community to gather peacefully as they plan their next steps, depending on what decision is made.
The Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable has announced a three-part instant-response action plan if the grand jury fails to indict officer Darren Wilson.
The response will include peace monitors in the Crenshaw district, a petition campaign asking for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to fast-track a federal civil rights prosecution, as well as a local campaign for police and residents to improve interactions in the streets of L.A.
"The main thing we're concerned about is giving people a positive, constructive outlet for their frustration. So that's our mission," L.A. Urban Policy Roundtable President Earl Ofari Hutchinson said.
CBS News has learned the FBI has meanwhile sent about 100 agents to Ferguson to protect local protesters, the public and police. A small number of protesters were arrested Thursday night.
Most Ferguson-area schools are scheduled to be open next week but administrators have contingency plans in place just in case classes are canceled.
