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November 24, 2014

Obama, Holder Address Ferguson Protests Ahead of Grand Jury Decision 
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President Obama addressed the pending grand jury decision in an
interview this weekend with ABC. Obama urged demonstrators to remain
peaceful.

President Obama: "I think, first and foremost, keep protests peaceful.
This is a country that allows everybody to express their views, but
using any event as an excuse for violence, is contrary to rule of law
and contrary to who we are. What I've asked [Attorney General] Eric
Holder to do, is to not just engage with the folks in Ferguson but to
engage nationally in a conversation between law enforcement and
communities of color that oftentimes feel as if they are not being
treated fairly by law enforcement official."

In a video statement on Friday, Holder unveiled new recommendations for
law enforcement agencies on the handling of protests.

Attorney General Eric Holder: "The Justice Department encourages law
enforcement officials, in every jurisdiction, to work with the
communities they serve to minimize needless confrontation. Now of
course, I recognize that progress will not come easily, and
long-simmering tensions will not be cooled overnight. These struggles go
to the heart of who we are and who we aspire to be both as a nation and
as a people and it is clear that we still that we have a great deal of
important work left to do."

The FBI and other federal agencies have sent dozens of agents and
officials to Ferguson ahead of the grand jury's decision. On Sunday, the
St. Louis County Circuit Court said there is no guarantee grand jury
evidence in the case will be made public after a decision is reached.

 

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