President Barack Obama said he has `` no sympathy at all for destroying your own communities , '' urging protesters in Ferguson to avoid a second night of violence and fight instead for longer-lasting political changes . Obama 's comments Tuesday in Chicago came as the sun set in Missouri and law enforcement officers -- including 1,500 additional National Guard troops -- prepared to stop the looting and fires that followed a grand jury 's decision not to indict the police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown in August . `` The frustrations that we 've seen are not just about a particular incident , '' he said . `` They have deep roots in many communities of color who have a sense that our laws are not always being enforced uniformly or fairly . That may not be true everywhere and it 's certainly not true for the vast majority of law enforcement officials , but that 's an impression that folks have and it 's not just made up -- it 's rooted in realities that have existed in this country for a long time . '' RELATED : King to Obama : Invite Wilson to White House . He said Monday night 's protests were `` overwhelmingly peaceful , '' but said some of the images from Ferguson -- including police cars being destroyed and businesses looted -- should n't be tolerated . `` There are productive ways of responding and expressing those frustrations , and there are destructive ways of responding , '' Obama said . `` Burning buildings , torching cars , destroying property , putting people at risk -- that 's destructive and there 's no excuse for it . Those are criminal acts . And people should be prosecuted if they engage in criminal acts . '' The President 's comments came at the beginning of a speech that was focused on immigration . He said he would n't comment on the grand jury 's decision not to indict Darren Wilson , the Ferguson police officer who shot and killed Brown . But Obama said better police training , law enforcement forces that are representative of the communities they serve and more `` makes a difference . '' He promised regional meetings focused on `` building trust in our communities '' between police and residents , and vowed to work with protesters who want to make political changes . `` For the overwhelming majority of people who just feel frustrated and pained because they get a sense that maybe some communities are n't treated fairly or some individuals are n't seen as as worthy as others , I understand that and I want to work with you , '' he said . Obama tackles immigration , Ferguson at hometown rally . Obama echoed Attorney General Eric Holder , who said Tuesday afternoon that peaceful and non-violent protests have a history of forcing change in the United States , and called it `` heartening '' that some leaders of the protests tried to stop the violence that broke out Monday night . `` I really embrace those who have been proactively intervening to stop acts of violence within their midst and I encourage them to continue exercising this important leadership . I know this is not an easy thing to do , '' Holder said . The Justice Department has launched civil rights investigations into both the Brown shooting and the Ferguson Police Department 's relations with minorities . Officials from the department have been in the area since August working to ease tensions between protesters and police and offering training to local law enforcement . Amid concerns about a second night of violence , Holder said the Justice Department remains in contact with leaders of the protests . He also said the department will conduct a review in the wake of Monday night `` so that we can develop strategies for identifying and isolating the criminal elements from peaceful protestors . '' RELATED : 9 moments that capture the chaos in Ferguson . Before departing the White House for Chicago , Obama was briefed by Holder on both the situation in Ferguson and longer-term efforts to improve relations between citizens and police , White House spokesman Eric Schultz said . Top Obama aide Valerie Jarrett spoke twice -- Monday night and Tuesday morning -- with Missouri Gov . Jay Nixon , and has also briefed Obama . Jarrett and Holder also held a conference call with civil rights leaders . Cabinet Secretary Broderick Johnson , meanwhile , held a call with Missouri officials to coordinate their response in Ferguson , while White House staffers discussed other cities ' responses with mayors across the country . After a St. Louis County prosecutor announced that the grand jury had decided against indicting Officer Darren Wilson on Monday night , Obama said protesters ' anger is `` understandable '' but urged them to remain peaceful . As he spoke , though , some of the hundreds in the streets of Ferguson had looted local stores , destroyed police cruisers and set fires -- and police responded by firing tear gas into crowds . `` I think the images that were captured last night were all the more reason the President felt compelled to go out and speak and urge calm , '' Schultz said . Obama deflected a question about whether he would visit Ferguson . Asked on Tuesday about travel to the area , Schultz said Obama would decide once `` things calm down a little bit . '' Complete coverage of what 's happening in Ferguson .
President Barack Obama says he has `` no sympathy '' for violence after a grand jury did not indict the police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown . Obama called on protesters to fight for political change and new policies to improve relations with police . Attorney General Eric Holder says the Justice Department 's two civil rights reviews in Brown 's shooting will continue .