By Mustafa Caglayan
NEW YORK
St. Louis area law enforcement agencies braced for unrest as the U.S. awaits a grand jury’s decision on whether to bring charges against a white police officer for fatally shooting an unarmed black teen.
The St. Louis County Prosecutor's office said Friday that the jury was preparing for a press conference to declare the decision, without giving a timetable for the announcement.
The grand jury was still in session considering charges against the police officer Darren Wilson for shooting dead 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, a statement said.
Also on Friday, St. Louis police and government authorities held a press conference to spell out how law enforcement forces will proceed if protests turn violent following the decision.
“We believe it would be imprudent not to plan for protest, regardless of what their decision will be," St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay said.
“Violence will not be tolerated," and police was directed to use "more active tactics" if protests turn violent, he said.
Meanwhile, ABC News claimed that the FBI sent about 100 agents to the area to assist law enforcement agencies with any problems that may occur following the grand jury's decision.
Tensions have risen in recent weeks amid expectations that the grand jury’s decision is imminent.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency Monday, and activated the National Guard ahead of the looming decision.
On Thursday night, Brown’s father appealed for calm and urged demonstrators not to engage in violence.
"No matter what the grand jury decides, I do not want my son’s death to be in vain," Michael Brown Sr., said in a video message.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Friday urged law enforcement forces to show restraint in the face of possible confrontations during demonstrations.
"It is vital to engage in planning and preparation, from evaluating protocols and training to choosing the appropriate equipment and uniforms," he said in a video posted on the Justice Department's website.
According to human rights group Amnesty International, police in Ferguson committed human rights abuses while handling the protests in the wake of Brown’s death.
“The U.S. government must do much more to address systemic racial discrimination and ensure policing practices nationwide are brought into line with international human rights standards,” it said in an Oct. 24 report.
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