As the entire nation braces for the verdict in the trial of Officer Darren Wilson regarding the shooting death of teenager Michael “Mike” Brown, the state is preparing for the worst. Gov. Jay Nixon has declared a State of Emergency in Missouri, adding to the already tense environment in Ferguson and abroad.
Gov. Nixon issued Executive Order 14-14 on Monday ahead of the indictment verdict for Wilson, casting an air of doubt on protesters hoping the officer will see justice. The National Guard has been called in to take up positions and the Ferguson Police Department has been asked to step aside. Nixon noted in his Order than Ferguson and the rest of the state has endured “unrest” over the past three months, hence his reasoning for issuing the action.
More from The Washington Post:
“Regardless of the outcomes of the federal and state criminal investigations, there is the possibility of expanded unrest,” Nixon said in an executive order. “The state of Missouri will be prepared to appropriately respond to any reaction to these announcements.”
Nixon said in the order he directed the Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Louis County Police Department, and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to “operate as a Unified Command to protect civil rights” and put the St. Louis County Police Department in charge of security in Ferguson related to protest areas and demonstrations.
He also said the adjutant general of the Missouri could “call and order into active service such portions of the organized militia as he deems necessary to protect life and property.”
It was thought by many observers that Monday would be the day of the Wilson announcement. Some feel the Order signals that Wilson will walk free of charges, and that could signal a turbulent time for Missouri.
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Photo: Bernard Pollack/CC BY 2.0
