More than 125 law enforcement agents from across metro Atlanta met Thursday to prepare to meet any protests that arise after a Missouri grand jury decides whether to indict the police officer responsible for the death of teenager Michael Brown. That decision, which CNN reported could come as early as Friday, is expected to spawn widespread demonstrations if the officer, Darren Wilson, faces no charges or relatively minor ones. “We can expect some protests, but to be quite honest, I think they will be peaceful,” said Cedric Alexander, DeKalb County’s deputy chief operating officer for public safety.
The meeting, called “historic” by DeKalb County School superintendent Michael L. Thurmond, also included representatives of the clergy, civil rights organizations and school systems, as well as college and high school students.
Alexander and others said officers are being instructed on how to respect the rights of peaceful protesters while working with community leaders to identify agitators and thwart schemes to incite violence.
According to a document first obtained by ABC News, the FBI has warned law enforcement agencies across the country to be on the alert for agitators bent on violence who might seek to use local protests as a cover.
Local officials did not cite that warning, but said they will be prepared for whatever comes.
“We certainly anticipate that citizens will want to express their First Amendment rights concerning the grand jury decision, and will respect their right to peaceably assemble,” said Atlanta Police Department spokesman John Chafee. “We will not, however, tolerate those who violate our laws, destroy property or endanger lives.”
Civil rights advocate Markel Hutchins said police have already been informed that protesters in Atlanta are being told to meet at the federal courthouse in downtown Atlanta when the grand jury announces it has a decision.
He said the goal, if Wilson is not indicted, is a peaceful protest. He said organizers will work with police to quell troublemakers “who want to engage in anarchy.”
In addition to the gathering at the courthouse, at least one other demonstration is being promoted online. Using the hashtag #ShutItDownATL, organizers are calling on people to congregate at Underground Atlanta the day after the grand jury’s decision is announced.
Brown’s death on Aug. 9 set off months of protests in Ferguson, some of which resulted in injuries and arrests. The town’s police force has been widely criticized for overreacting to the initial protests, donning riot gear and assault weapons to confront law abiding demonstrators.
The killing and its aftermath sparked a national conversation about how blacks are treated by police. Protests rippled throughout the nation, including Atlanta, where a rally was held outside CNN.
As the drama’s next chapter unfolds, local officials vowed to take a firm but measured approach.
“We have to make sure we are in the right mindset,” said DeKalb County Police Chief James Conroy. “Citizens have the right to assemble. We have to maintain our composure and be calm and professional at all times.”
Alexander, who called the meeting, said the culture of metro Atlanta has historically helped avert violence in racially charged situations. He said establishing ties to community leaders while training police to respond professionally and respectfully, are critical to maintaining the peace.
“Our relationships are nowhere close to what we have seen in Ferguson,” Alexander said. “We are going to be prepared, because we are going to work together. We are making sure we are staying connected with our communities.”
Like others, though, he also had words of warning: “For agitators who may work themselves into crowd, we have the support of colleges, clergy who will identify agitators so they can be taken out. We are going to deal with them professionally but effectively. We are not going to overreact.”
Thursday’s meeting was not intended to set up a central command structure or operations center. The aim was to establish communication and cooperation to ensure potential disturbances associated with Ferguson don’t spill over into metro Atlanta.
One by one, agencies reported on how they are preparing – from monitoring social media to specialized training.
“We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” said DeKalb CEO Lee May. “We are ready for what will come. “
Atlanta Deputy Chief Ernest Finley echoed that message. “We are getting out to the community to express patience,” he said. “As soon as we get the word (about when the verdict is coming), we are going to be prepared.”
Janice Mathis, vice president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and John Evans, president of the DeKalb County Branch of the NAACP, said their groups have no immediate plans to respond to the grand jury’s action. They said they would likely support the rally at the federal courthouse, although they were not aware of it until Hutchins spoke of it Thursday.
“We do not know what might happen,” Evans said. “We just have to be ready. You have to use restraint and take care of business.”
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