As the nation waits for a grand jury to reveal whether Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson — who fatally shot black teen Michael Brown — will be indicted or not, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon addressed a group of reporters. Nixon called for calm but said officials have a plan in place should things get violent in Ferguson.
The governor said, “Our shared hope and expatiation is that people on all sides show tolerance, mutual respect and restraint. Earlier today I visited with some folks with Ferguson and it’s understandable that they’re on edge awaiting this decision.”
He added the importance of protecting the right to free speech. “Together we are all focused to make sure that the necessary resources are at hand to protect lives, to protect property and to protect free speech.”
Police have apparently maintained “open lines of communications” with protest leaders in order to ensure peace and a mutual understanding between the two groups.
Breitbart News reporter Michelle Moons listened to Nixon’s remarks at the press conference.
“They are hoping it won’t get violent,” Moons said. “They want to allow peaceful protest but do have a plan in place if it gets violent. Nixon refused to give any deals about such an intervention plan. They are hoping that things die down so that the community can start to heal.”
Breitbart News has reporters on the ground in Ferguson and will be posting live updates from the ground.
Follow Kristin Tate on Twitter @KristinBTate.