U.S. Attorney General Visits Ferguson
August 21, 2014
Yesterday, the chief law-enforcement official of the United States, Attorney General Eric Holder, went to Ferguson, Missouri, and met with law enforcement officers and the family of Michael Brown. Brown was the unarmed African American teenager slain by a white police officer in Ferguson on August 9. Holder is the first African American to serve as attorney general for the United States. He supported citizens of Ferguson who have objected to widely criticized tactics used by police in the small St. Louis suburb, saying “I am the attorney general of the United States. But I am also a black man. I’ve confronted this myself.” At least three investigations are attempting to determine the exact circumstances of Brown’s shooting.
The Missouri National Guard began patrolling Ferguson on August 18, as street protests held after the shooting became more agitated with each passing day. Police resorted to tear gas, rubber bullets, and smoke grenades to disperse crowds. Last night was the first relatively peaceful night in the town since the shooting. Today, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon ordered the Guard to withdraw from Ferguson.
Prosecutors began presenting evidence this morning before a grand jury convened to determine whether to charge the police officer who shot Brown, Darren Wilson. It is possible the grand jury will take months to sift through the statements and evidence before making a decision. Holder also promised a thorough federal investigation of the case.
Additional World Book articles: