Official White House Photo by Pete Souza(WASHINGTON) — President Obama spoke at the White House Monday night, reacting to the Ferguson, Missouri, grand jury decision not to file charges against Police Officer Darren Wilson, who shot and killed Michael Brown on Aug. 9.
Obama emphasized the importance of the rule of law.
“We are a nation built on the rule of law and so we need to accept that this decision was the grand jury’s to make,” he said.
Obama also called on Americans to heed Michael Brown’s family’s wishes.
“Let me repeat Michael’s father’s words: ‘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,'” the president said. “I join Michael’s parents in asking anyone who protests this decision to do so peacefully.”
At the same time, the president also appealed to law enforcement officials in Ferguson to “show care and restraint.”
“The situation in Ferguson speaks to the broader challenges we still face as a nation,” Obama said, noting that “a deep distrust exists between law enforcement and communities of color.”
More ABC US news | ABC World News
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio
