EDITOR'S NOTE: THIS ITEM WAS REVISED AT 4:30 p.m. MONDAY TO CLARIFY THAT LAW AGENCIES WERE NOT ANNOUNCING A FINAL DECISION ABOUT THE COMING WEEKEND ACTIVITIES.
Local law enforcement agencies indicated Monday that, based on current reports, Jefferson City's downtown Christmas activities this weekend should be able to take place as planned, even as a march by the NAACP is scheduled to reach the Jefferson City area this weekend.
The march from Ferguson began Saturday and is to culminate at the Governor's Mansion and the Missouri State Capitol.
"Journey for Justice: Ferguson to Jefferson City," is in response to the St. Louis County Grand Jury's decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson for killing Michael Brown Jr., 18. The march's purpose is to call for new leadership for the Ferguson Police Department and for new reforms in police practices and culture both locally and nationally.
There had been concerns about potential effects the march could have on planned community events in Jefferson City.
Jefferson City Police Capt. Doug Shoemaker said Monday the news release was sent as an advisory - that law enforcement doesn't have the "ultimate" decision in determining if the annual Living Windows event will happen Friday evening or if the 75th annual Jaycees Christmas parade scheduled for Saturday afternoon will occur.
Last week, the state canceled the annual Candlelight Tours at the Governor's Mansion, due to "security concerns."
In the Monday afternoon news release, Shoemaker said: "To date, despite media reports or rumors to the contrary, there has been no information received by law enforcement that this (march) is anything but a peaceful event by members of the NAACP.
"All area law enforcement agencies will continue, however, to diligently gather information and react appropriately and lawfully to any potential negative or threatening issue that may arise.
"As an integral part of the community, we are well aware of the holiday events planned for this weekend in the downtown and we are dedicated to doing our part in ensuring those events go as anticipated."
Shoemaker said the exact dates and times of the arrival of the march into Jefferson City are not yet known, but preliminary information indicates the march will not interfere logistically with any downtown event.
Shoemaker also said that because the march is focused on the Capitol and Mansion, the Missouri Highway Patrol will be the primary law enforcement agency in charge of security for the event, with the cooperation of the Jefferson City Police Department, the Cole County Sheriff's Department, the Missouri Capitol Police and the Lincoln University Police Department.
"All agencies are committed to working together in doing our part to make the event safe for those participating in the march as well as the residents of our community," Shoemaker said. "We are continuing to communicate with our local NAACP chapter and based on our long established good relationship and work together, we expect this event to follow in a peaceful manner."