Missouri Governor Jay Nixon Declares a State of Emergency in Ferguson Ahead of Grand Jury Decision in the Death of Michael Brown … FBI Warns of “Likely Violence”

The grand jury decision could happen any moment …

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency on Monday as a precaution ahead of the grand jury decision in the death of Michael Brown. Nixon said he signed the executive order because of the “possibility of expanded unrest.” What he means is the almost certainty of riots and unrest if they fail to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson on murder charges. The National Guard has been called in to St. Louis County. This could get really messy.

Office of Gov. Nixon:

Gov. Jay Nixon today signed an executive order activating the Missouri National Guard to support law enforcement during any period of unrest that might occur following the grand jury’s decision concerning the investigation into the death of Michael Brown.  The Governor said the Guard will provide support for law enforcement’s objectives of maintaining safety and protecting constitutional rights.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to plan and be prepared for any contingency, it is necessary to have these resources in place in advance of any announcement of the grand jury’s decision,” Gov. Nixon said. “These additional resources will support law enforcement’s efforts to maintain peace and protect those exercising their right to free speech. The National Guard is well-suited to provide security at command posts, fire stations and other locations as well as perform other functions that will free up law enforcement officers to remain focused on community policing and protecting constitutional rights.”

CNN:

Ahead of a grand jury’s decision on whether to indict a police officer in the killing of Michael Brown, Missouri has both called in the National Guard and diminished the role of the Ferguson Police Department.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency Monday as a precaution, he said, in the event of unrest or violence.

It’s unknown when the grand jury will hand down a decision on whether to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson for his fatal shooting of Brown, a teen. Prosecutors have suggested the grand jury would be done deliberating in mid- to late November.

At the national level, the FBI last week issued a bulletin to law enforcement urging vigilance in the days before the Ferguson grand jury decision, according to a law enforcement official.

UPDATE I:  Police Command Worries About Radicals when Grand Jury Wraps Up

Police are worried about radical groups that might try to harm officers after the Michael Brown grand jury announces its decision.

St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar says they are concerned that the Black Panthers or communist activists might blend in with peaceful protestors and try to hurt police.

“We do have concerns about that. We’re seeing on the social media, there’s a lot of threats out there against police officers. Again, we’re trying to discern which of those are legitimate and which are not,” Belmar says. “I have a feeling 99 percent of them are not going to amount to anything, but you know what? It just takes one.”

UPDATE II: FBI Warns Ferguson Decision ‘Will Likely’ Lead to Violence By Extremists Protesters

As the nation waits to hear whether a Missouri police officer will face charges for killing unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., the FBI is warning law enforcement agencies across the country that the decision “will likely” lead some extremist protesters to threaten and even attack police officers or federal agents.

Peaceful protesters could be caught in the middle, and electrical facilities or water treatment plants could also become targets. In addition, so-called “hacktivists” like the group “Anonymous” could try to launch cyber-attacks against authorities.

“The announcement of the grand jury’s decision … will likely be exploited by some individuals to justify threats and attacks against law enforcement and critical infrastructure,” the FBI says in an intelligence bulletin issued in recent days. “This also poses a threat to those civilians engaged in lawful or otherwise constitutionally protected activities.”