Ferguson Protests Being Planned In Baltimore
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- There are new warnings from the FBI for police around the country to prepare in case protests over a grand jury's discussion in the Ferguson case turn violent.
Derek Valcourt has details on protests planned in Baltimore and the FBI's words of caution.
That FBI bulletin was released Friday and it warned that some agitators could try to cause trouble by taking advantage of otherwise peaceful protests.
Federal law enforcement officials caution that protests could once again erupt into violence as they did this summer in the days after a Ferguson police officer shot and killed unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson. Already, the National Guard has been activated and a state of emergency declared as they await a grand jury's decision whether to indict that officer.
Now the FBI is cautioning law enforcement nationwide that the grand jury's decision will likely be exploited to "justify attacks against law enforcement" and "other critical infrastructure." It warns agitators could be armed with knives or guns, even protecting themselves with gas masks or bulletproof vests.
The FBI says the bulletin is not based on specific intelligence, but rather standard practice to raise awareness to potential threats and violence.
"We will be out there [in Baltimore] regardless of whether they indict or not," said Rev. C.D. Witherspoon, Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
The same activists who organized peaceful Ferguson marches on City Hall this summer plan to once again take their message to McKeldin Square when the grand jury's decision is announced.
"I do this for my daughter and for the youth and we're tired. We're tired of our brothers and our sisters and our cousins and our sons getting killed," said Sara Benjamin, People's Power Assembly.
"I hope whatever protests we have in Baltimore will be peaceful," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
The mayor says the city is on alert.
Police declined to our request for an interview, instead saying they "support the right of assembly" and are "well-versed in making sure people stay safe while they exercise their first amendment right."
The FBI also expressed concern that hacker groups like Anonymous may stage cyberattacks to coincide with any protests.
The grand jury in Ferguson is expected to announce their decision whether to indict the officer who shot Michael Brown sometime in the next week.
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