Protests occurred in Washington D.C. (pictured) and in multiple cities across the nation when the grand jury decided against indicting former Officer Darren Wilson.
Amid protests over the lack of his indictment, Officer Darren Wilson resigned from the Ferguson Police Department.
Wilson, 28, served in the Ferguson Police Department for six years, though he was on leave since August 9, when he shot and killed Michael Brown. On Monday, a Grand Jury decided not to indict Wilson with criminal charges, which upset many members of the American public. Both peaceful and violent forms of protest were apparent throughout the United States. Protesters believe the legal process was inhibited by bias, and that justice was not served.
Neil Bruntrager, Wilson's attorney, announced the officer’s resignation on Saturday. Wilson wrote a resignation letter detailing his explanation for leaving the law enforcement. The St. Louis Post provided a copy of the letter.
Wilson believes his resignation “will allow the community to heal.”
“I have been told that my continued employment may put the residents and police officers of the City of Ferguson at risk, which is a circumstance that I cannot allow,” he wrote.
“It was my hope to continue in police work, but the safety of other police officers and the community are of paramount importance to me. It is my hope that my resignation will allow the community to heal.”
According to the St. Louis Post, Wilson stated that his resignation was “the hardest thing [he's] ever had to do.”
Also on Saturday, 100 protesters began a weeklong march from the site of Michael Brown’s death to the Missouri Capital. The 120-mile march is lead by N.A.A.C.P.
The diversity of protesters across the U.S. is notable. Members from different ethnicities, ages, and regions are upset with the alleged abuse of lethal force by police officers. Protesters hope to address and change policies regarding police regulation, legal proceedings regarding cases similar to the Michael Brown and Darren Wilson case, and increased transparency for law enforcement.
