President Obama addressed the pending grand jury decision in an interview this weekend with ABC. Obama urged demonstrators to remain peaceful.

President Obama: “I think, first and foremost, keep protests peaceful. You know, this is a country that allows everybody to express their views. … [A]ny event as an excuse for violence is contrary to rule of law and contrary to who we are. … [What] I’ve asked Eric Holder to do is to not just engage with the folks in Ferguson, but to engage nationally in a conversation between law enforcement and communities of color that oftentimes feel as if they are not being treated fairly by law enforcement officials.”

In a video statement on Friday, Holder unveiled new recommendations for law enforcement agencies on the handling of protests.

Attorney General Eric Holder: “The Justice Department encourages law enforcement officials in every jurisdiction to work with the communities that they serve to minimize needless confrontation. Now, of course, I recognize that progress will not come easily, and long-simmering tensions will not be cooled overnight. These struggles go to the heart of who we are and who we aspire to be, both as a nation and as a people. And it is clear that we have a great deal of important work still to do.”

The FBI and other federal agencies have sent dozens of agents and officials to Ferguson ahead of the grand jury’s decision. On Sunday, the St. Louis County Circuit Court said there is no guarantee grand jury evidence in the case will be made public after a decision is reached.