The father of Michael Brown appeared at a news conference Tuesday wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “No Justice No Peace,” but he did not speak about a grand jury decision not to indict the Ferguson, Missouri, police officer who shot his son.
“He doesn’t want to misspeak because of such emotions that are going through him that will later be held against him,” his lawyer Benjamin Crump said.
“This process is broken. The process should be indicted.”
After Monday night's announcement, Michael Brown Sr. and Lesley McSpadden said in a written statement that they were "profoundly disappointed" by the decision and urged calm. But violent protests raged for hours, leaving a dozen buildings in ashes.
The Rev. Al Sharpton blasted St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch for his office’s presentation of evidence to the grand jury, his effort to “discredit” Brown at a news conference after the announcement, and his decision to reveal the decision after dark.
“It was irresponsible,” Sharpton said. He also decried the violence that erupted through the night.
“Those who got violent last night, those who acted in a destructive manner do not represent the spirit of Michael Brown,” Sharpton said.
“If you’re on Michael Brown’s side, you walk with dignity. If you’re on Michael Brown’s side, you stand up with pride. If you do anything to harm others, you’re on your own side.”
Asked about a video that showed McSpadden's anguished husband shouting, "Burn this place down!" immediately after McCulloch spoke, Crump called it "completely inappropriate."
But, he added, "don't condemn them for being human."