President Obama on Monday called on protesters to react peacefully to the St. Louis County grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown — even as TV networks showed a split screen of the president’s speech with police firing tear gas at protestors.
Surreal split screen: Obama calls for restraint as tear gas is deployed by police in Ferguson. pic.twitter.com/Kak3tt78Cx
— Vexy Vox (@Vexyvox) November 25, 2014
Obama said that it’s “an understandable reaction” for some to be angry with the decision, but he urged people to respect the wishes of Michael Brown’s family and refrain from violence.
“Michael Brown’s parents have lost more than anyone, we should be honoring their wishes,” he said.
He said that the Ferguson community “must accept” the grand jury’s decision.
“First and foremost we are a nation built on the rule of law,” he said.
Obama reminded protesters that the police have a “tough job.”
“Our police officers put their lives on the line for us every single day,” he said.
But Obama also said that there are “broader challenges that we face as a nation.”
“We need to recognize that this is not just an issue for Ferguson. This is an issue for America,” he said.
Obama said that “deep distrust exists” between police and minority communities, and that communities need to work with the police to eliminate concerns about discrimination.
He concluded his statement by asking again that protesters not react with violence or vandalism.
“To those in Ferguson, there are ways of channeling your concern constructively,” he said.
Obama said that he had reached out to law enforcement in the Ferguson area, but when asked he said he did not yet have plans to visit the community.
Very nice comments. Very glad we have an adult as President.
It’s hard to believe that after nearly six years in office, President Obama still hasn’t realized that Republicans oppose everything he says or does. If he’s calling for peace, we’re going to have riots. That will show him!
The rioters are Republicans?!?
Oh, well, that explains everything then…
Why should Ferguson residents remain peaceful? They’ve just been told, in no uncertain terms, that they have no claim to law, no claim to walk the streets, no claim to believe the police will not gun them down indiscriminately and make up whatever story is necessary to exonerate the murderers. If I lived in an environment like that, I’d be on street every fucking day, screaming my head off. Being “peaceful” just isn’t on the itinerary, Prez.
Geez, what’s he supposed to do? Get up there and say “Hey Fergies! Create as much mayhem as possible?”