Protest Leaders In Ferguson Ask For Advanced Notice on Officer's Charges

Protest leaders in Ferguson, Missouri are asking law enforcement officials for advanced notice regarding the charges of police officer Darren Wilson, saying they can control violence in the St. Louis suburb if they have 48 hours advanced notice.

Community leaders are pleading with law enforcement officials to notify them of Wilson's legal fate at least 48 hours before it is publicly announced so they may calm the sentiments of locals in Ferguson, Missouri. Darren Wilson, a member of the Ferguson police force, fatally shot unarmed black teenager Michael Brown six times back in August.

It will be announced later this month whether Wilson faces charges for the shooting, which the Ferguson police department argues was self-defense after Brown allegedly attacked Wilson in his cop car.

According to the Associated Press, leaders of the local Don't Shoot Coalition have said that they want authorities to personally notify them of the grand jury's decision regarding Wilson to "de-escalate violence without de-escalating action" in regard to public response. Ferguson was faced with nearly a month of protests, some of which grew violent, following Brown's death this past summer.

According to the Associated Press, other groups including clergy and anti-war activists have also joined the Ferguson community in calling for justice in the Brown incident and peace in the St. Louis suburb.

Ferguson police have said they are preparing for more protests ahead of the upcoming grand jury decision. "I know there's a lot of anxiety, there's a lot of fear, anticipation" about Wilson's fate, Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson told the Associated Press in a previous interview, adding "I have a lot of hope."