Governor Jay Nixon ordered the Missouri National Guard out of Ferguson, Missouri before the grand jury released its decision on Michael Brown’s shooting death.
As a result of this – DOZENS of Ferguson and Dellwood businesses were looted, torched and vandalized by hundreds of violent protesters and looters.
Ferguson Mayor Knowles tried desperately to contact Governor Nixon the night of the rioting but was unable to reach him or his staff.
The Associated Press obtained an email that shows Missouri Democratic leaders met to discuss Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson – who they wanted to resign.
In the email top Missouri Democrats were told the National Guard would be pulled from Ferguson before the grand jury decision on the Michael Brown case:
“Apparently the guard will not move to the FPD per the governor.”
Now we know why…
Democrats did not want to upset protesters with the image of “militarized police.”
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported:
Since the night last November when rioting re-erupted in and around Ferguson, local leaders and business owners have complained that the Missouri National Guard and other police entities did nothing to stop the looting and burning that ensued.
Now, with new information indicating that lack of action was ordered from the top — and not just to preserve lives, but also to address the growing public image problem of militarized police — that local anger has flared anew.
“It’s disgusting. I’m beside myself,” said Kurt Barks, owner of Complete Auto Body & Repair on West Florissant Avenue in Dellwood. “I sat in a meeting the Thursday before this happened and was promised there would be National Guard on my property. I was even told, ‘Don’t board it up.’”
His business later sustained about $40,000 worth of damage to an automobile showroom, including a vehicle that was flipped over. “I’m sorry, but we pay our taxes, and 75 percent of our business is gone.”
Brian Fletcher, a former Ferguson mayor who is now running for city council, reiterated his call for Gov. Jay Nixon to resign over the events of that night.
“He promised he would protect the property and the people,” said Fletcher. “The people that listened to him were looted, and in many cases their businesses were destroyed, for having faith in the governor. It’s a real disgrace.”
For his part, Nixon forcefully defended Wednesday the choice to protect life rather than property.
“It was clearly not the best path forward to get into a gunfight on the street,” said Nixon. “… In the hierarchy of responsibilities, saving lives was first, behind it was saving property. (That) was the right way to come at that.”
The Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday that National Guard troops deployed to the Ferguson area Nov. 24, after a grand jury declined to issue an indictment in the killing of Michael Brown, weren’t authorized to shoot to protect property, make arrests or stop people from committing most crimes.
Nixon and others continue to defend that policy, saying they ordered restraint by police to avoid escalation and bloodshed.
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