Ferguson on edge as grand jury deliberates charges in Michael Brown case
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Tensions are high in Ferguson, Missouri, and across the country, in anticipation of the grand jury announcement in the police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
The grand jury is considering whether to indict Darren Wilson, the 28-year-old white police officer who shot and killed the unarmed black teenager on Aug. 9.
Wilson reportedly told the grand jury that he feared for his life as Brown, who was 6-foot-4 and nearly 300 pounds, came at him. Witnesses said Brown was trying to surrender and had his hands up.
The shooting touched off days of violent protests. Law enforcement officials fear more unrest could follow the announcement.
At LAPD headquarters, police say they're prepared for anything that could arise locally.
"We need to be calm and just keep a cool head," said Bernice Smith of the Crenshaw District.
Smith hopes and prays that if the grand jury decides not to indict Wilson, only peaceful rallies will follow. She says anger and violence will not accomplish anything.
Civil rights activists plan to hold a peaceful rally at Leimert Park following the decision. They are calling for peace no matter the outcome.
"Either way we want it to a be non-violent peaceful demonstration," said Rev. Jonathan Moseley of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Action Network.
"The one thing that we do not want is for anyone to become destructive, to become so angered they will do anything to get their point across," said civil rights activist Pedro Baez of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable.
Several days ago, LAPD chief Charlie Beck released the following statement regarding possible protests in L.A. following a decision in Ferguson:
"We will facilitate lawful demonstrations, but we will not and cannot condone violence or vandalism," Beck said.
Some people Eyewitness News spoke with say that, with several questionable police and sheriff department shootings of African Americans under investigation in L.A., some people are already on edge and depending on what the grand jury decides in Ferguson, things could boil over.
"You can feel the tension in the air everywhere you go, and I wish that nothing happens but whatever is to happen is going to happen, we cannot stop it," said Tyrone Augustine of the Crenshaw District.
"Even if in fact justice is done, we hope it is, we pray it is with Michael Brown, we're not giving up. We are going to keep the struggle going, essentially engage people about race relations in America, police community relations, the justice system -- this is an ongoing fight," said Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable.
Meantime, two Missouri men were charged late Friday night with lying on forms to purchase guns.
Olajuwon Davis and Brandon Baldwin are believed to be associated with radical groups, one source told ABC News. Authorities were looking into whether the men tried to acquire ready-made explosives and other weapons ahead of the decision.
Both Attorney General Eric Holder and Michael Brown Sr., the slain teenager's father, have released videos urging protesters to remain peaceful when the grand jury's decision is handed down.
The grand jury has been meeting since Aug. 20. There are 12 members on the grand jury. It takes nine to vote yes in order to return an indictment.
