Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE GOVERNOR OF the US state of Missouri has declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard ahead of a grand jury decision in the case of a black teenager shot dead by a white policeman.
There are fears of a renewed outbreak of violence if the St. Louis County grand jury fails to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the August 9 death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
In his formal declaration, posted on his website, Governor Jay Nixon said “there is the possibility of expanded unrest” when the grand jury hands down its decision.
No date has been announced for the grand jury’s decision, but St Louis. County officials have previously said it would come by mid- to late-November.
“The state of Missouri will be prepared to appropriately respond to any reaction,” said Nixon, adding that citizens’ rights to “peacefully assemble and protest” would be protected.
Nixon also activated the Missouri National Guard to back up local and state police if needed.
Brown’s death touched off weeks of sometimes violent unrest in the St Louis. suburb of Ferguson as well as a national debate about race and law enforcement in America today.
The US Justice Department is undertaking a parallel investigation into possible civil rights offenses on the part of the Ferguson police department.
Authorities and residents in Ferguson – a suburb of 21,000 with an African-American majority and an overwhelmingly white police force – have been bracing for the outcome for weeks.
“Quite simply, we must and will be fully prepared,” Nixon previously said.
Speaking earlier this month, the Democratic governor said more than 1,000 police officers had undergone extensive specialized training over the past two months.
Some US media including CNN have reported a surge in gun and ammunition sales, as residents and business owners seek to protect themselves in the event of renewed violence.
Brown, a high-school graduate looking forward to attending technical college, was shot at least six times by Wilson and his body left in the street.
Wilson has reportedly told the grand jury that he acted in self-defense after tussling with the youth. Others claim Brown had his hands in the air when he was shot.
In the United States, grand juries – which meet in secret – are sometimes used to review a case before deciding whether criminal charges should be sought.
In the Ferguson case, the grand jury could indict Wilson, meaning he could face trial, or determine there is no case for him to answer.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Why doesn’t the Journal have a “Spammer of the Week” seeing as the Journal seems to take no notice of it’s own Terms of Use? You could also have a “Troll of the Week” as well. There are at least one or 2 fake accounts on here that would win hands down each week without fail.
Tommy macdonagh would need another trophy cabinet
Should have put it in the survey lads
notice how of the top 5 commented on stories this week, the highest is 277 and the lowest is 201
2 years ago, those numbers would have been a minimum of double that, possibly even triple,
slowly but surely the journal is slipping into obscurity, and they only have themselves to blame,
with their bias in choosing what comments to delete and their complete apathy to the bigger trolls who flagrantly break the TOS.
Cop yourself on journal, make it an even playing field for everyone, do something about the massive trolling and the obvious incitement by certain accounts, and you might have a chance of reversing the trend
but somehow i doubt you will do anything until it is too late.
Here hear.
Nutjob of the week goes to… Nutella Boy ;)
Surely Blind Faith had the most popular comment in the Gardai assault article?
you should know by now Paddy “most popular comment” doesn`t count – it depends ENTIRELY on what the staff deem the most popular, anything that goes against their idea is consigned to the dustbin.
http://www.thejournal.ie/manor-street-gardai-assault-2910906-Aug2016/
Even the second comment got more than a thousand greens but thejournal.ie just ignores them.
It happens every week and makes this regular article a sham.
I know it’s incredibly frustrating when people that don’t agree with me insist on been heard…..
Great photo of Donald Trump sucking out a babie’s brain. He is truly evil.
nearly as good as O`Bamas imitation of a gun, he would want to watch himself too, considering he is black, that kind of pose is liable to get you shot over there at the moment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MDqfg3tYIQ
Better comment of the week here?
Better quality…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xham2-P5LQc
have your say