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As the nation waits for the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown, police are preparing for possible riots. One Missouri official hopes the police preparations keep people "calm." VPC
Protesters on Nov. 22 hold signs along a stretch of road where violent protests occurred following the August shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo.(Photo: Charlie Riedel, AP)
Residents remain on edge in Ferguson, Mo., as the city awaits word on whether a grand jury will indict officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown, 18.
Ahead of that announcement, here's what we do know:
• The grand jury decision expected as early as this weekend appears to be delayed until Monday at the earliest, according to a federal law enforcement official.
The St. Louis County grand jury is expected to reconvene Monday, according to the official who spoke to USA TODAY on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly on the matter. The timing of a decision is still unclear, the official added.
USATODAY
Ferguson shooting: Myths vs. facts
• Protesters took to the streets again Saturday evening, chanting slogans including, "No justice, no peace" and "Mike Brown means, we've got to fight back." They later gathered at the Ferguson police station before moving back into the street when police in riot gear appeared. Two people were arrested for unlawful assembly, according to St. Louis County Police spokesman Brian Schellman.
• Authorities on Saturday set up barricades around the building where the grand jury has been meeting, as well as in a shopping center parking lot where police set up a makeshift command center in the aftermath of Brown's death.
• 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 called for people to temper their reactions. The president spoke during an ABC News interview, saying 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 preparing for what comes next. The Jennings school district 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.
USA TODAY
Timeline: Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Mo.
• Regardless of what happens, Wilson reportedly is resigning from Ferguson's police force.
USA TODAY reporter Yamiche Alcindor is on the ground in Missouri. Follow her on Twitter for live updates.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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