Above: The family of Michael Brown, including his father Michael Brown, Sr. (center) watches as his vault is lowered into the ground at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Photo by Robert Cohen.
Below is a video of Michael Brown, Sr. urging protesters to continue to speak up and make sure their voices are heard but to do so without violence or property damage.
At the same time CNN is reporting that Officer Darren Wilson is negotiating his resignation. CNN reports:
Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, who shot and killed teenager Michael Brown on August 9, is in the final stages of negotiations with city officials to resign, according to people close to the talks.
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Wilson could announce as soon as Friday his plans to resign, the same day a St. Louis County grand jury meets to deliberate and possibly decide on an indictment.
The talks could still collapse, these people said. Wilson doesn’t know what the grand jury will do and if they return charges he could change his mind.
“I do not want my son’s death to be in vain. I want it to lead to incredible change, positive change . . . “
In a video released Thursday, the father of Michael Brown called for calm and asked the public to act peacefully in the upcoming days when a grand jury plans to announce its decision on whether or not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of the unarmed black teenager.
Demonstrations in St. Louis Wednesday night led to the arrest of six protesters — and many fear that the jury’s verdict could lead to violence and further arrests.
However, Michael Brown Sr. made a statement urging supporters to continue to lift their voices while reminding them that “hurting others or destroying property is not the answer.”
Here is his full statement:
My family and I are hurting, our whole region is hurting. I thank you for lifting your voices to end racial profiling and police intimidation — but hurting others or destroying property is not the answer. No matter what the grand jury decides, I do not want my son’s death to be in vain. I want it to lead to incredible change, positive change, change that makes the St. Louis region better for everyone. We live here together, this is our home. We’re stronger united. Continue to lift your voices with us and lets work together to heal and to create lasting change for all people regardless of race. Thank you.