Businesses have boards on their windows. Some schools have cancelled classes in the days prior to the Thanksgiving weekend. Officials have set up layers of emergency plans. And the president has called for calm.
The people of Ferguson can’t be sure when a grand jury responsible for determining whether or not to indict white police officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of black 18-year-old Michael Brown will announce its decision – but they are worried that chaos could break out as a result.
Brown’s Aug. 9 death sparked protests, riots, looting and violent clashes with police, and many fear that if a grand jury that has been meeting for months decides not to indict Wilson, protesters will flood the streets of Ferguson and surrounding areas with renewed rage.
If clashes similar to those that erupted in the summer break out, Brett Thomas said, “I’ll arm myself, just like everybody.” Gun dealers have reported a significant surge in sales in recent weeks and the St. Louis County Police Department said there has been a spike in the number of concealed-carry permits issued since Brown’s death, according to Reuters. “It’s like a war zone,” Thomas said. “Everybody’s looking over their shoulder.”
