Tuesday Nov 25, the National Action Network, the Brown family, and the Brown family attorney held a press conference following Monday night’s announcement that Officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted for the killing of Michael Brown Jr.
Although Michael Brown’s parents did not speak at the conference, their attorneys and the Reverend Al Sharpton had plenty to say about the prosecution, the grand jury’s decision, and the wait time for the announcement.
Brown family attorney Benjamin Crump said he was not at all surprised by the grand jury announcement last night.
“We could foresee what the outcome was going to be and that’s exactly what occurred last night,” he said.
During the conference, both Sharpton and attorney Benjamin Crump openly criticized the grand jury’s prosecution.
“A first year law student would have done a better job,” Crump said of the prosecutions failure to cross examine Wilson during his testimony.
“I’ve never seen a prosecutor hold a press conference to discredit the victim,” Sharpton said of the 20-minute announcement made by Robert McCulloch. “His solution is ‘Lets announce it at night after dark. Lets make sure all the kids are home… then I’m going to get up in the dark and castigate the character of Michael Brown Jr.’”
Following the announcement of the grand jury’s decision, protests launched in the streets of Ferguson and other major cities. Crump came to the defense of protestors for their immediate reactions to the announcement where a few could be heard shouting about burning down the area.
“The raw emotion was not appropriate at all… [but] don’t condemn them for being human.” Crump said.
Sharpton, however, condemned those protestors who have been acting out with violence following the grand jury decision.
“If you’re on Michael Brown’s side, you walk with dignity… If you do anything to harm others, you’re on your own side, not Michael Brown’s,” Sharpton said
Despite their frustration with the grand jury’s decision, Sharpton assured those listening that they are still hopeful and that they have not yet finished with their fight for justice.
“You have broken our hearts, but you have not broken our backs. We are going to continue to pursue justice. We may have lost one round, but the fight is not over,” Sharpton said.
“The legacy of Michael Brown Jr. should be one not where we make a lot of noise…the legacy should be one where we strive to make a difference,” Crump said.