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UNF professor weighs in on Ferguson grand jury decision

Now, the nation's attention is focused on Ferguson, Missouri -- as a grand jury announcement is drawing near, in the shooting death of Michael Brown.
A yard sign is displayed on South Florissant Street near the police station in Ferguson. Signs of support and boarded up businesses have popped up in the town's business district as residents prepare for the grand jury decision.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville is no stranger to the national spotlight. With high profile racially charged cases such as the Michael Dunn trial and the Marissa Alexander case.

Now, the nation's attention is focused on Ferguson, Missouri -- as a grand jury announcement is drawing near, in the shooting death of Michael Brown.

A grand jury is expected to decide whether to file charges against Ferguson police officer, Darren Wilson. He shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager in August—following what police say was a struggle over Wilson's weapon.

But witnesses claim the officer shot Brown as he attempted to leave the scene. That lead to violent protests in Ferguson-- and rallies nationwide.. including right here in Jacksonville.

With their hands in the air grasping signs protesters marched along Bay Street in downtown Jacksonville, in mid August..
about one week after Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri by officer, Darren Wilson.

Now ahead of a grand jury decision-- Ferguson prepares for the unrest that could follow. Advance notice will be given to schools near the small town --when the grand jury in the case makes a decision on whether to indict the officer on a criminal offense.

"If no charges are filed against this officer there is going to be spill over in other communities across the country and around the world as well," said Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder, UNF Associate Professor of Sociology.

Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of North Florida her focus is on race relations.

She's keeping a close eye on a small town-- where shop owners have boarded up their windows, gun sales are booming and more than 1,000 police officers are on stand-by.

"We're at a tipping point. Our community has already seen these kinds of cases at least on a smaller scale," Wilder said.

But Wilder says even if a Grand Jury does indict we'll likely still see unrest across the country until a trial and ultimately a verdict comes in.

We reached out to the group that organized the protest in Jacksonville in August and as of news-time have not heard back.

The Grand Jury's decision is expected in the next several days.

Related:

Michael Brown's parents 'praying for an indictment'

English teacher resigns over controversial tweet

Report: Ferguson officer shot Brown at close range

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