Shortly after the grand jury verdict was announced tonight, leaders of the Reform Movement released the following statement:

In response to the grand jury decision in the case of the death of Michael Brown of Ferguson, Mo., Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, and Rabbi Steve Fox, Chief Executive of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, issued the following statement:

“We respect the grand jury’s decision in the Michael Brown case. While we expect and count on our judicial system to provide justice, we are also aware of the tragic fact that it cannot restore those who are lost to us. Michael Brown will be forever mourned by his family and friends. We hope that the pain of Michael Brown’s loss and opinions about the grand jury’s decision will be expressed in ways that are peaceful, as his family members have requested, and that law enforcement will respect and protect the rights of community members who wish to assemble peacefully.

“Though the grand jury decision closes a chapter in this case, the underlying issues of damaged relationships between law enforcement and communities of color as well as growing economic and social inequality remain in Ferguson. But this tragedy is not just about Ferguson; it represents an endemic pattern across our nation. If America is to live up to its value of equal justice for all such disparities must be addressed. We therefore call on every city and community to assess whether victims of law enforcement shootings are disproportionately people of color. If so, we call on such communities to engage officials and civil society representatives to develop a public ‘action plan’ to ameliorate such disparities.

“We are proud of the engagement of many Rabbis and synagogue members in the St. Louis area, including Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation, to address these systemic problems. They have joined together with clergy of all faiths to assist those in need, quell violence, and provide spiritual support.

“As a Movement, we will continue to work through relationship building and legislative advocacy on issues of economic and racial inequality, including reform of our criminal justice system, voting rights and protection of civil rights. May the Ferguson community and nation join together to meet these challenges and help strengthen our nation as it works to achieve its highest ideals.”