[Dialogue] Ferguson Ohroncles: Anniversary Weekend Update

[Ellie Stock via Dialogue]

Hi folks,

Greetings from the Ferguson/Dellwood area.

This is the anniversary weekend of the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson and various groups are hosting a multitude of events and activities--most trying to focus on healing, unity, etc. without forgetting the reason for the commemoration: 

I just returned from a 4-mile personal pilgrimage loop walk from our house: east on Chambers (a major site of fires and looting; south on West Florissant, passed empty lots where buildings had been burned during the August and November protests following Michael Brown's death; passed Canfield Street where Michael Brown was shot (temporary memorabilia memorials in the middle of street and sidewalk now replaced by sidewalk plaques of Michael Brown and a dove); passed the Ferguson Market where he was before the shooting, west on Ferguson Avenue passed Forestwood Park (site of demonstrations and later The Day of Hope event for the community); cutting over to S. Florissant Avenue (location of the Ferguson Police Dept. site of demonstrations); north on S. Florrisant to the Farmer's Market where, at one of the booths, the author is selling her book Painting for Peace in Ferguson; proceeding north passed many of the businesses that had been vandalized and, later, had their boarded up windows and doors "painted for peace" by local artists.

Lectures, marches, demonstrations, seminars, concerts, conferences, worship services, prayer vigils, civil disobedience demonstrations, started more than a week ago and are coming to a head this weekend. 

Groups include:                                              
 -Ferguson Action Council [Coalition of: Don't Shoot Coalition, Hands Up United, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Ferguson Action, Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment (MORE), Organization for Black Struggle (OBS), Operation Help or Hush, Socialist Alternative and Tribe X] 
-Chosen for Change                                           
 -MCU, A Weekend of Reflection and Challenge; Sacred Conversations                                            
-OneFerguson:  Truth and Reconciation Conversations                                           
 -All of Us                                            
 -Ferguson Ministerial Alliance                                            
 -Billy Graham                                            
-City of Ferguson Weekend of Unity: events at the Community Center and at January Wabash Park.                                        
 -Special TV and radio program features--retrospectives of the past year, etc. 
-Ferguson Commission meeting with MO Gov. Nixon.

In addition, grants have been made to businesses to help them rebuild and re-open--some are having their grand re-openings this weekend.  Grants are also being made to help develop the whole West Florissant business area.  Starbucks announced it is building store on W. Florissant that will be 300-400 feet bigger than their normal stores so that staff and local groups can use it to mentor local youth.  Some businesses haves boarded up again for the weekend as there have been rumors of many protesters from outside the area coming to Ferguson.

Yesterday Carleton and I attended the St. Louis County NAACP Brunch at Florissant Valley Community College.  They released an announcement about a program for family courts in light of the troubling findings of the July 31 US Department of Justice Investigation of the St. Louis Family Court.  The DOJ report indicates a very disproportionate lack of legal representation for African American Children compared to that of white children.  This is another example of systemic racism in the St. Louis area.   The St. Louis County NAACP will work with local attorneys to provide a pro-bono representation on a pro-bono basis for children needing representation in the St. Louis Family Courts.  Present at the event:  many politicos, reps of the Highway Patrol, County Police, Community College, businesses, churches, Benjamin Crump (Attorney for the Brown Family). Ferguson Mayor Knowles and the new interim Ferguson City Manager and Police Chief (both African American), and Michael Brown' father and rep. from his foundation to help children.

Mayor Knowles listed some of the progress since last August:
-Newly Council: 3 African Americans, 3 whites
-Civilian review board in progress
-Body cameras for all officers
-Court reforms regarding decreasing collection of revenue
-New model for community policing--officers into the community
-Modify process of paying court debt:  payment plans or community service
-Support of businesses in area
-Creation of W. Florissant Business Association
-Police Training (re-training)--have done 2, will soon do a 3rd.
He concluded that progress is not a destination but a direction and that he and the Council are committed to continuing reforms for the future of Ferguson.

This morning a prayer vigil was held on Canfield, followed by a march to Normandy High School (from which Michael Brown graduated) where activities are planned.

Groups have tents set up on West Florissant to talk with those present for these events.  Carleton will be helping with two of them: Ferguson Ministerial Alliance and OneFerguson.

Sunday morning there will be another prayer vigil on Canfield, followed by a silent march to a church where a rally will be held.  Other groups are holding a couple other worship services in the afternoon.

Monday is a day of civil disobedience (no time or specifics announced yet).                          

Last week the Ferguson Council voted unanimously to not agree with the Dept. of Justice Report related to Ferguson, saying that it was financially impossible to implement, and they are asking the DOJ for more time to come up with an alternative plan.  We'll see...

Hoping the weekend remains peaceful and non-destructive.  It would be difficult for the communities to survive a third round of violence.  

Reporting live and hopeful for the Ferguson Chronicles...

Ellie
elliestock at aol.com                                        
                                                                          
 
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