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U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said on Monday he would soon release new guidelines to limit racial profiling by federal law enforcement, a move long awaited by civil rights advocates.

Holder announced his plan at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where 1960s civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached.

Holder's comments came in the wake of unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, after a grand jury's decision last week not to indict a white police officer in the killing of unarmed black teen Michael Brown.

Holder said he would announce the guidelines "in the coming days" as part of President Barack Obama's response to the tension between law enforcement and minority communities that the events in Ferguson exposed.

The Bush administration outlawed racial profiling by federal law enforcement in 2003 but it applied only to national security cases and did not limit officers from discriminating based on factors apart from race, such as national origin, religion or sexual orientation.

Civil rights advocates have long called on the federal government to expand the guidelines. It is not known what groups Holder will include.

The new guidelines would not pertain to local or state law enforcement, such as the Ferguson Police Department where officer Darren Wilson worked when he shot Brown.

But Holder and civil rights advocates have said the federal guidelines will set the example for local agencies.

"The new guidance will codify our commitment to the very highest standards of fair and effective policing," Holder said in prepared remarks.

Holder drew applause from the packed interfaith service when he said the Justice Department's civil investigation into the Ferguson police department and a simultaneous probe into officer Wilson "remain ongoing and remain active."

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U.S. attorney general to issue new guidance on racial profiling

Attorney General Eric Holder stops to shake hands with a patron at Drake's Place Restaurant, before his meeting with local community leaders, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014 in Ferguson, Mo. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Pool) | ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- The problems put on display after the death of Michael Brown in the small St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri, in August "are truly national in scope and that threaten the entire nation," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a speech on Monday.

Holder, speaking at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, said the nation needs to confront the broken relationship between many law enforcement agencies and the communities that they are supposed to serve.

"Broadly speaking, without mutual understanding between citizens -- whose rights must be respected -- and law enforcement officers -- who make tremendous and often-unheralded personal sacrifices every day to preserve public safety -- there can be no meaningful progress," Holder said in prepared remarks. "Our police officers cannot be seen as an occupying force disconnected from the communities they serve. Bonds that have been broken must be restored. Bonds that never existed must now be created."

Holder, who plans to resign as the nation's top law enforcement official if the Senate confirms U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch as his replacement, visited Ferguson back in August. His Justice Department has launched an investigation into the practices of the Ferguson Police Department, in addition to a separate ongoing federal investigation into the shooting of Brown by former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson.

In his speech on Monday, Holder said that the "overall system of justice must be strengthened and made more fair" to ensure faith in the justice system.

"Without that deserved faith, without that reasoned belief, there can be no justice. This is not an unreasonable desire -- it is a fundamental American right enshrined in our founding documents," Holder said.

Calling 18-year-old Brown's death a "tragedy," Holder said it "sparked a significant national conversation about the need to ensure confidence in the law enforcement and criminal justice processes" and exposed rifts that "must be addressed -- by all Americans -- in a constructive manner."

Holder condemned the looting and destruction that took place around Ferguson last week, saying it was "deeply unfortunate that this vital conversation was interrupted, and this young mans memory dishonored, by destruction and looting on the part of a relatively small criminal element."

Holder said that "acts of mindless destruction are not only contrary to the rule of law and the aims of public safety; they threaten to stifle important debate, 'adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars,'" referencing a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "They actively impede social progress by drowning out the legitimate voices of those attempting to make themselves heard. And they are not consistent with the wishes of Michael Browns father, who asked that his son be remembered peacefully."

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Eric Holder: Problems Exposed By Ferguson 'Threaten The ...

In the wake of clashes at protests in Ferguson, Missouri, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says new Justice Department guidance will aim to end racial profiling and ensure fair and effective policing.

Holder said in a speech Monday at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a pastor that he will unveil details of the plan soon.

"In the coming days, I will announce updated Justice Department guidance regarding profiling by federal law enforcement. This will institute rigorous new standards and robust safeguards to help end racial profiling, once and for all," Holder said. "This new guidance will codify our commitment to the very highest standards of fair and effective policing."

The president instructed Holder to hold regional meetings on building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve after the conflicts in Ferguson. Monday's meeting in Atlanta was the first.

Tensions between police and the community in Ferguson boiled over after a white police officer shot an unarmed black teenager in August. Protests turned violent again last week, after a grand jury declined to indict officer Darren Wilson in Michael Brown's death.

During Holder's speech, he was interrupted by about a dozen or so protesters holding signs and chanting "No justice, no peace." Holder let them continue for about two minutes before they were escorted out by security, but then later said, "Let me make one thing clear, I ain't mad at cha," referencing the song by the late rapper Tupac.

"It is through that level of involvement, that level of concern, and I hope a level of perseverance and commitment, that change ultimately will come," Holder said of the protesters.

First published December 1 2014, 6:47 PM

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Eric Holder Announces Plan to Target Police Racial Profiling

By Kate Brumback - Associated Press - Updated: 10:53 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2014

ATLANTA Speaking at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta the church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday that he will soon unveil long-planned Justice Department guidance aimed at ending racial profiling.

Holder traveled to Atlanta to meet with law enforcement and community leaders for the first in a series of regional meetings around the country. The president asked Holder to set up the meetings in the wake of clashes between protesters and police in Ferguson, Missouri.

In the coming days, I will announce updated Justice Department guidance regarding profiling by federal law enforcement. This will institute rigorous new standards and robust safeguards to help end racial profiling, once and for all, Holder said. This new guidance will codify our commitment to the very highest standards of fair and effective policing.

PHOTOS: Holder announces plan to target racial profiling

Tensions between police and the community in Ferguson boiled over into violent confrontations in August after a white police officer shot a black teenager. Protests turned violent again last week after a grand jury declined to indict officer Darren Wilson in the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Holders meeting in Atlanta included a closed roundtable discussion with law enforcement and community leaders followed by a public interfaith service and community forum.

The meeting came on the heels of President Barack Obamas request to federal agencies Monday for recommendations to ensure the U.S. isnt building a militarized culture within police departments. The White House also announced it wants more police to wear cameras that capture their interactions with civilians. The cameras are part of a $263 million spending package to help police departments improve their community relations.

The selection of Kings church as the site for the meeting was significant. The most successful and enduring movements for change adhere to the principles of non-aggression and nonviolence that King preached, Holder said.

As this congregation knows better than most, peaceful protest has long been a hallmark, and a legacy, of past struggles for progress, he said. This is what Dr. King taught us, half a century ago, in his eloquent words from the Ebenezer pulpit and in the vision he shared from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

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Eric Holder announces plan to target racial profiling

Atlanta, Ga. Speaking at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta the church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday that he will soon unveil long-planned Justice Department guidance aimed at ending racial profiling.

Holder traveled to Atlanta to meet with law enforcement and community leaders for the first in a series of regional meetings around the country. The president asked Holder to set up the meetings in the wake of clashes between protesters and police in Ferguson, Missouri.

"In the coming days, I will announce updated Justice Department guidance regarding profiling by federal law enforcement. This will institute rigorous new standards and robust safeguards to help end racial profiling, once and for all," Holder said. "This new guidance will codify our commitment to the very highest standards of fair and effective policing."

Tensions between police and the community in Ferguson boiled over into violent confrontations in August after a white police officer shot a black teenager. Protests turned violent again last week after a grand jury declined to indict officer Darren Wilson in the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Holder's meeting in Atlanta included a closed roundtable discussion with law enforcement and community leaders followed by a public interfaith service and community forum.

The meeting came on the heels of President Barack Obama's request to federal agencies Monday for recommendations to ensure the U.S. isn't building a "militarized culture" within police departments. The White House also announced it wants more police to wear cameras that capture their interactions with civilians. The cameras are part of a $263 million spending package to help police departments improve their community relations.

The selection of King's church as the site for the meeting was significant. The most successful and enduring movements for change adhere to the principles of non-aggression and nonviolence that King preached, Holder said.

"As this congregation knows better than most, peaceful protest has long been a hallmark, and a legacy, of past struggles for progress," he said. "This is what Dr. King taught us, half a century ago, in his eloquent words from the Ebenezer pulpit and in the vision he shared from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial."

While the grand jury has made its decision, the Justice Department continues its investigation into the death of Brown and into allegations of unconstitutional policing patterns or practices by the Ferguson Police Department, Holder said to loud applause.

Holder also told the crowd that the meetings he's convening around the country are just the beginning and that he wants to start a frank dialogue and then translate that into concrete action and results.

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Atty. General Holder announces plan 'to help end racial profiling, once and for all'