DOWNLOAD VIDEO
A grand jury announced Nov. 24 that they would not indict police officer Darren Wilson for fatally shooting unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO.
Wilson shot Brown on Aug. 9, spurring months of anger, protest and heated debate about justice and race in America.
The 12-person grand jury’s decision means that Wilson will not face criminal charges for killing Brown. The Justice Department and Attorney General Eric Holder are still investigating the incident and could bring federal charges, but sources have
indicated
that is unlikely.
Michael Brown’s family released a statement following the announcement that urged peaceful protest and called for all police officers to wear body cameras.
“We are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequence of his actions,” the statement said.
St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch, who made the announcement, said Wilson followed his training. St. Louis Public Radio has uploaded the
testimony
that the grand jury used to make its decision.
Following Brown’s death, protesters around the country called for an honest examination of police use of force against civilians, especially people of color. After some protesters turned violent in Ferguson, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon employed the National Guard, who used tear gas and rubber bullets. The events sparked fresh criticism of the use of military-grade force in civilian settings.
Nixon declared a state of emergency in Missouri last week prior to the decision’s release.
Obama made a statement after the verdict, calling for peaceful protests and saying that events in Ferguson demonstrate a legacy of distrust between communities of color and police. “We need to recognize that this is not just an issue for Ferguson,” he said. “This is an issue for America.”
Warm up questions
- Who is Michael Brown? Who is Officer Wilson? What happened between the two of them this summer?
- What is an indictment? What could be a synonym for the word? What does it mean if you are indicted or not indicted?
- What are some ways that people protest when they are unhappy with a situation? Hint: think in terms of violent and nonviolent methods.
Critical thinking questions
- The American Bar Association (a professional organization for lawyers) and other groups have voiced concerns over the use of grand juries for several reasons. What were the risks and benefits of using a grand jury to decide whether or not to indict Officer Wilson? Would you have done something differently?
- How do you feel about the grand jury's decision? Explain your answer.
- How might you channel your emotions in a positive and lasting way?
- The shooting of Michael Brown and the events that followed have drawn national and international attention. What do you think are the most important lessons learned from Brown’s death? Defend your answer with evidence from the text and video.
