The Ferguson Grand Jury Did Not Indict Officer Darren Wilson

On Monday, the grand jury in Ferguson, MO, announced their decision in the case of the Michael Brown shooting, and they did not indict Officer Darren Wilson. The 12-person jury weighed in on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, or involuntary manslaughter. It's been just over three months since 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by the police officer, and in the wake of his death, there have been several protests in Ferguson, including those throughout what was called Ferguson October, a movement organized last month to speak out against police brutality. The Aug. 9 shooting prompted a larger conversation about race and violence, and on Monday, protesters surrounded the Ferguson Police Department as they waited to hear the jury's decision. Following the announcement, Michael Brown's family released a statement, which stars like Beyoncé later shared on social media:

President Obama also spoke after the jury's decision was announced, saying, "We need to recognize that this is not just an issue for Ferguson. This is an issue for America." He quoted Michael Brown's father and echoed his call for peaceful protests, saying, "There's never an excuse for violence." Watch his full statement below.