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Police block protesters from the street at the Ferguson Police Department in Ferguson, Missouri, on Nov. 20, 2014.(Photo: Jack Gruber, USAT)
There's still no word on whether a grand jury will indict officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown. As of early Saturday, officials have declined to say where the jury is in its process.
Ahead of that announcement, here's what we do know:
• Police and protesters are planning ahead. Police leaders have met five times with some protest group leaders, resulting in them agreeing to 11 rules of engagement, such as avoiding the use of excessive force and communicating to de-escalate tense situations.
• President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have both called for people to temper their reactions. In the president's case, that came during an ABC News interview, when he said people who were upset shouldn't use the grand jury's decision as "an excuse for violence."
For his part, Holder urged law enforcement officials to minimize the potential for confrontations during demonstrations.
Attorney General Eric Holder announced law enforcement guidance for protecting constitutional rights during First Amendment-protected events. The announcement came ahead of the Ferguson Grand Jury announcement. VPC
• Joining in the call for calm is Michael Brown's father. In a video statement released Thursday, he said he, his family and the entire region "are hurting... But hurting others and destroying property is not the answer."
In the days leading up to a grand jury decision about whether or not to indict the Ferguson police officer who shot his son, Michael Brown Sr. released a video statement urging supporters to lift their voices but not hurt others.
• If violence or unrest does erupt, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon will call in the National Guard. He declared a state of emergency earlier this week.
• Some schools in the area are also thinking of what comes next. The Jennings school district has decided to close its schools on Monday and Tuesday, lengthening the Thanksgiving break for its students and avoiding having them in school during potential demonstrations.
• Regardless of what happens, Wilson reportedly is resigning from Ferguson's police force.
USATODAY
Timeline: Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Mo.
USA TODAY reporter Yamiche Alcindor is on the ground in Missouri. Follow her on Twitter for live updates.
Compiled by Jessica Estepa. Contributing: Yamiche Alcindor, Marisol Bello, Gregory Korte, Kevin Johnson, Michael Winter and Cara Richardson.
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