Holder speaks about next steps for Ferguson
Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters he has called for an after-action review to identify and isolate the criminal elements who rioted in Ferguson, Missouri inthe wake of a grand jury decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the August 9 shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
"I was disappointed that some members of the community resorted to violence rather than respecting what I thought were the really heartfelt words of Michael Brown Sr. and the wishes that he expressed about how he wanted his son's memory to be honored with nonviolence," Holder told reporters Tuesday. "It is clear, I think, that acts of violence threaten to drown out those who have legitimate voices, legitimate demonstrators and those acts of violence cannot and will not be condoned."
Holder was flanked by Justice Department officials as he read from a prepared statement. He said he is being briefed about the situation on the ground in Ferguson, Missouri by Justice Department officials who are overseeing the ongoing federal civil rights investigations, and also briefed President Obama. He reiterated that the federal civil rights investigations are ongoing and will be completely independent of the local investigation.
He also said he was "encouraged" by the peaceful protesters on the streets, and said that Justice Department officials will remain in contact with the leaders of those protests to help isolate "those individuals who are inclined toward violence."
"The way in which we have made progress in this country is when we have seen peaceful nonviolent demonstrations," Holder said. "That has led to the change that has been the most long lasting and the most pervasive."
The Justice Department will also be implementing pilot programs five unnamed cities that will aim to build trust between communities and law enforcement. Holder did not take questions from reporters, and moved on to a meeting with Justice Department officials about Ferguson.
