Nixon will call a special session of the Missouri General Assembly to ensure that the members of the Missouri National Guard are paid before December 15, the office of Missouri governor reported late Friday.
"The dedicated men and women of the National Guard and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are playing a critical role in keeping people safe and protecting property in the St. Louis region," Nixon was quoted as saying. "Time is of the essence. It is vital that we act quickly so that we can fulfill our obligation to the men and women who are so bravely and capably serving their fellow citizens," he added.
The need for critical funding has emerged as the current appropriation authority for emergency duties may soon be exceeded with the ongoing operations of the Guard and Highway Patrol in Ferguson and the St. Louis region. Moreover, future activities, such as debris removal, would also mean additional money is needed.
On Monday, the grand jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot 18-year old Michael Brown in Ferguson in August. The decision triggered a wave of protests nationwide.
Earlier this week, the network Blackout for Human Rights and other activists urged the public to boycott Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving Day and the biggest shopping day of the year in the Unites States, to protest police violence against minorities.
