Gov. Jay Nixon: "We disagree deeply" with release of security camera footage

The governor spoke to Andrea Mitchell on "Meet the Press" about Michael Brown and Ferguson, Missouri

Published August 17, 2014 4:53PM (EDT)

 Missouri Governor Jay Nixon      (screenshot/Meet the Press)
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (screenshot/Meet the Press)

On Sunday morning's "Meet the Press," Andrea Mitchell spoke to Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. On Saturday Gov. Nixon declared a controversial emergency curfew for Ferguson, following the looting that occurred on Friday night.

Mitchell asked Gov. Nixon why the tape of a young man, allegedly Michael Brown, involved in a strong-arm robbery was released before any information about the officer responsible for Brown's death. She also suggested that this video was what led to an escalation of violence.

“We and our security team and the highway patrol did not know that was going to be released, and quite frankly I don’t think the attorney general knew," Nixon stated. "And quite frankly we disagree deeply, I think for two reasons. Number one, to, I think in essence, to disparage the character of this victim in the middle of a process like this is not right. Secondarily, it did put the community, and quite frankly the community and the nation, on alert again.”

Saturday night, rolling into Sunday morning, was the first night of the state-imposed curfew. Protesters were told to clear the streets from midnight until 5:00 a.m., with reporters corralled to a press location. In the hour after midnight, violence erupted: One man was shot and is in critical condition, and several were arrested; tear gas was also used by police. Watch the interview below, and read more about what happened last night in Ferguson, Missouri, here:

h/t Mediaite


By Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is an assistant editor at Salon, focusing on innovation. Follow @sarahhhgray or email sgray@salon.com.

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Andrea Mitchell Ferguson Jay Nixon Meet The Press Michael Brown Police Shooting