The governor of the US state of Missouri declared a state of emergency Monday 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.
“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.
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.
