Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to announce security plans for Ferguson, Mo., in light of the upcoming grand jury announcement on whether to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who shot an unarmed Michael Brown on August 9. Nixon’s annoucement focused on “the dual pillars of safety and speech.”
Nixon said the security effort would be coordinated under a “unified command” with police departments across the state, with the National Guard part of the state’s contingency plan.
Presser of Gov. Nixon just started. Nixon says he must keep people and businesses safe.
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) November 11, 2014
This is America. People have right to express views but not put people and property at risk. @GovJayNixon
— Carol Daniel (@caroldanielKMOX) November 11, 2014
Gov. Nixon: “The National Guard has been and will continue to be part of our contingency plan." #Ferguson
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) November 11, 2014
National Guard is part of contingency plans in #ferguson, says @GovJayNixon. Will be deployed if needed. Did not give specifics.
— Rachel Lippmann (@rlippmann) November 11, 2014
Gov Nixon said "that ugliness cannot repeated" National guard will be part of response team after grand jury decision
— Rebecca Rivas (@Rebeccarivas) November 11, 2014
.@GovJayNixon: St. Louis county and city police will be unified. National Guard will be available when determined necessary. #Ferguson
— KMOX St. Louis News (@kmoxnews) November 11, 2014
Gov. Jay Nixon says 1,000 law enforcement officers have gone through more than 5,000 hours of specialized training
— Amanda M. Sakuma (@iamsakuma) November 11, 2014
Gov. Jay Nixon: "Violence will not be tolerated." #Ferguson
— Amanda M. Sakuma (@iamsakuma) November 11, 2014
.@GovJayNixon "Violence will not be tolerated." #STL pic.twitter.com/ckTNDunu4c
— FOX2now (@FOX2now) November 11, 2014
Both Gov. Nixon and St. Louis police chief Dotson both mention the looting and violence seen on the protest side in Ferguson
— Amanda M. Sakuma (@iamsakuma) November 11, 2014
Nixon: "The vast majority of people who want to speak want to do so in a peaceful fashion." #Ferguson
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) November 11, 2014
Nixon says questions over the future of Ferguson police department "a local issue that will be dealt with by local officials"
— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) November 11, 2014
St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar says other police jurisdictions are prepared if unrest spread across St. Louis area. #Ferguson
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) November 11, 2014
Chief Jon Belmar says civil unrest could spread beyond #Ferguson and they are ready to respond. pic.twitter.com/2p0xSaFB2S
— Kevin Killeen (@KMOXKilleen) November 11, 2014
Last week, a group of demonstrators presented police with their own list of 19 demands or rules of engagement, including a demand that police avoid riot gear and “wear only the attire minimally required for their safety.”
St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar says police agree with most of protesters' 19 rules of engagement. #Ferguson
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) November 11, 2014
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