Missouri Governor Declares State of Emergency as Ferguson Jury Decision Nears

Governor Jay Nixon (D) has just declared a state of emergency in Missouri, citing “the possibility of expanded unrest” when a grand jury announces whether they will indict Officer Darren Wilson for the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

The executive order was issued this afternoon, and grants the Missouri Highway Patrol, the St. Louis County Police Department and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department the power “to operate as a Unified Command to protect civil rights and ensure public safety” throughout the St. Louis region. Furthermore, it handed command and operational control over security in the city of Ferguson to the St. Louis County Police Department.

Noting that the US Justice Department and the city of Missouri “could soon announce the findings of their independent criminal investigations,” Gov. Nixon declared the state of emergency out of the need to protect civilians and businesses from harm, as well as the desire to protect freedom to protest.

The controversial death of the 18-year-old Brown, who died after he was allegedly shot by Wilson during an altercation, sparked months of unrest throughout the St. Louis region, as well as a national debate over whether police unfairly targeted minorities. The grand jury report, which has investigated Wilson’s role in the shooting and will determine whether he will be indicted, is expected to be released soon.

Read the full executive order here.

[Image via Rena Schild / Shutterstock.com]

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