Obama Discusses Ferguson Situation with Civil Rights Leaders

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, will hold a meeting on Monday, December 1, with members of his administration, civil rights leaders, and police officials regarding the situation in Ferguson, Missouri. According to the Associated Press, the White House stated that the meeting will review the federal agencies' plans to equip police forces with military equipment. Mr. Obama is also set to discuss with young civil rights leaders in America the challenges arising from 'the distrust between police and communities of color.' The President will then consult with government officials and police on strengthening residential logic. The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Department of Justice is also set to conduct an independent investigation into possible civil rights violations. This investigation could lead to charges against Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown with more than 10 bullets about four months ago. However, issuing these charges requires strong and substantiated evidence. Supporters of this police officer claim that Michael Brown, the Black teenager, had grabbed his weapon, while police critics argue that Michael Brown intended to surrender without any confrontation. According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Department of Justice also intends to investigate the Ferguson police department. The news regarding Barack Obama's meetings and the independent investigations by the Department of Justice comes in the wake of new protests in Ferguson and several other U.S. cities after a Missouri grand jury did not indict Darren Wilson. Reports indicate that protests in Ferguson have been violent, and several individuals have been arrested. Barack Obama, after the new round of protests, urged demonstrators to refrain from violence and called on police forces to exercise restraint. He stated in a televised conference, 'We must understand that the situation in Ferguson reflects a broader challenge that we as a nation continue to face. The reality is that in many areas of this country, there is deep distrust between police and communities of color.'