Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani questioned why Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon publicly declared a state of emergency in Ferguson ahead of a grand jury decision in the Michael Brown shooting.
“I would have had a state of emergency, but I would have kept it quiet,” he said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “It’s hard to second guess him. He had a tremendous amount of violence.”
Police in Ferguson together with the National Guard are bracing for potential riots and violence when the grand jury announces its decision on whether or not to indict Darren Wilson, the officer who killed black teen Michael Brown in August. A decision is expected any day after the grand jury reconvenes on Monday.
Mr. Giuliani said those on the grand jury are under tremendous pressure, knowing the violence that may erupt if they do not press charges against Mr. Wilson.
“I feel sorry for these people because they know if they walk out of that grand jury room and have not indicted, they may have created a massive riot in their city and across the country,” he said.
Anthony Gray, a lawyer for Mr. Brown’s family, said there is distrust in the system, especially since grand jury proceedings are all done in secret. Despite that, he said he is praying that there will not be violence after a decision is announced.
“It’s difficult to predict how people are going to respond,” he said. “I’m hopeful that there will be peace in Ferguson.”
• Jacqueline Klimas can be reached at jklimas@washingtontimes.com.
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