By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor
No one knows if the grand jury has decided to indict Ferguson Officer Darren Wilson for the Aug. 9 shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed 18 year old. Perhaps Hollywood is orchestrating this drawn out process. An announcement was made over two hours ago that a decision had been reached, with a press conference pending. It appears the press conference that just concluded was simply a final attempt to call for peace with the actual announcement of the grand jury’s decision not expected until the second press conference at 8 p.m.
The press conference currently going on with Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, Ferguson Mayor and other officials is focused only keeping peace. However, one wonders how much does this dragging out of the decision do anything more than add to the potential for an eruption of unrest.
They are promising to protect the right to exercise their freedom of speech, however they are prepared to protect people, businesses and more through the use of the National Guard and tanks if necessary to play a “support role.” The governor is suggesting that the power outage on Halloween in Ferguson was not accidental or result of a wayward squirrel. According to him, the presence of military tanks are to provide assistance.
St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley stated during the conference, “I do not want people in this community to think they have to barricade their doors and take up arms. We are not that kind of community. I do not want people to accidentally shoot or harm someone out of fear.” News that the sales of guns have spiked in the community recently is likely fueling the concern.
The murder of the young man sparked unrest in the St. Louis suburb which is overwhelming black, but virtually no minorities on the police force. While most of the national media attention has moved on protests and standoffs have continued with the police force. The unrest was calmed only when U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder visited the city and promised action.
In the recent weeks, the city and the nation has been on pins and needles awaiting the decision of the grand jury. If the hope was the public would lose interest in this story and the decision of the grand jury would become a footnote, it appears to have had the opposite effect. President Barack Obama and countless others have called for calm no matter what the verdict.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has reported reached out to local ministers to ask for their help in keeping the crowds calm as the community waits to hear more. A press conference is expected to start very soon, but the actual decision is not expected until 8 p.m. tonight.Â
Meanwhile the Ferguson-Florissant School District has canceled Tuesday’s classes:
“Due to the anticipated increase in traffic and possible demonstrations in our area as a result of the pending Grand Jury announcement this evening, and in consideration of the safety of all students and staff, the Ferguson-Florissant School District will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 25. All after-school and evening activities will also be canceled. Information about our church partner sites serving meals on Tuesday and other relevant information for families will be posted on the District website, Facebook and Twitter pages.”
Police and trained dogs have swept the civil courthouse, the streets are blocked off, and government employees are getting out of the area as soon as possible.
CNN is reporting the attorney for the parents of Michael Brown, Benjamin Crump, has confirmed the family was informed a decision was made, but they were not told what the grand jury decided.
Earlier the network reported Wilson was married for a second time on Oct. Â 24 to a fellow Ferguson Police Officer Barbara Lynn Spradling. Wilson is nine years younger than his bride. It is her first marriage, the two reportedly have shared a home in St. Louis.
