US Attorney General Asks for Any Protests Ahead of Grand Jury Decision to Be Peaceful

US Attorney General Eric Holder asked protesters to be non-aggressive and non-violent in a video posted on November 21. The video never specifically cites Ferguson, Missouri protesters, but it was posted as officials await a grand jury decision on indicting Officer Darren Wilson for shooting and killing Michael Brown.

“I ask all those who seek to lend their voice to these important causes and discussions … to do so in a way that respects the gravity of the subject matter,” he said.

He encourages those participating in demonstrations to look to peaceful movements that have been successful in the past as an example. The most successful and enduring movements have adhered to non-aggression and non-violence, he said.

The protests of the last few months have brought attention to significant issues such as police practices, implicit bias and pervasive community trust, Holder said. The vast majority of law enforcement have honorably defended the protesters, he said.

In the same video, Holder said the US Justice Department is providing police with new guidance on how to maintain order when people decide to exercise their “constitutionally-protected rights.” Officials encourage all law enforcement to work with the communities they serve to minimize needless confrontation, he said. Credit: YouTube/US Justice Department