President Obama pleaded with Ferguson residents and law enforcement to show restraint after a grand jury did not indict an officer in Michael Brown's death. (Christopher Dilts/Creative Commons)

"We are a nation built on the rule of law, so we need to accept that this decision was the grand jury's to make," Obama said.

READ MORE: "Ferguson Grand Jury Does Not Indict Michael Brown's Shooter" 

The president said it was understandable that some Americans would be "deeply disappointed, even angered," but echoed Brown's parents in calling for any protests to be peaceful.

In a late-night statement from the White House, Obama also urged Americans not to deny recent progress in race relations in the U.S. He called for the public to accept the grand jury's decision and to refocus on ways to make more progress in bringing police and their communities together.

A grand jury decided not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the death of Brown. The fatal shooting of the unarmed, black 18-year-old sparked weeks of protests outside St. Louis.

READ MORE: "#BlackLivesMatter: What Angelenos Who Visited Ferguson Have To Say"

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