Ferguson Files: Berkley MO Edition

Yes children, the police didn’t even wait until the LOE’s in NYC were buried.  They thought we’d calmed down and all the “agitators” had gone to the other, bigger protests.  So, with a twisted sense of bad timing, the Berkley PD has shot another young black man.  The police say he pulled a gun when an officer got out of his car to question “two young black men standing on a corner”, witnesses say he had candy.  His girlfriend was there with him when he was shot.  Protestors massed almost immediately.  The police shut down the off and on ramps to the highway as well as surrounding streets.  Despite the mass of protestors, by 2am, there were at least 2 cops for each protestor.  I hear they plan on having a press conference here in a few minutes, but I heard what they had to say already.  With bad weather moving in and planned protests at Berkley PD, this is going to be some sort of holiday season.  I wish the police would take a holiday.

This all comes after the STLPD made the news passing out 100$ bills in Ferguson and it’s surrounding areas.  Including to the young woman who lost an eye to a rubber bullet.  Not sure how that is supposed to “make it all better” but they seemed to think it did.  So, Merry Fking Xmas STL, we still lead the nation in racism.

Ferguson Files: The Days You Just Cry

Yes, it happens to us all, the ones on the line.  We lose one too many supports from our lives or people from our lives. Usually the later.  And for each of us, the number, relation or not, closeness, etc. is different and intensely personal.   When that tipping point is reached, we bend as far as we can and then, well then, we tend to break.  Or at least breakdown for a time of unknown, and again personal, duration.

Yes, another young man was shot and killed in North City St. Louis.  He was 25 with a wife and kids and he was bringing in the groceries from the car.  And no, he wasn’t killed by police, but by currently unknown assailants.

So what part of this particular life should matter?

The fact that he was killed?  Or who killed him? 

How about what killed him?

Yes, what killed him is where the root lies.  What killed him was poverty.  Poverty fueled by years of public and private. polices and systems with racism and classism built into them.  The poverty that forces people to give up on dreams at a very young age just so that they can survive.  And sometimes are forced to do things they’d rather not. Again, to simply survive.

Like living in a violent area due to your own poverty and this area is violent Due to poverty. By the way, the white privilege version of this is the, “I can’t get a job without experience, and I can’t get experience without a job!”  Think about it.

Like his family, begging on the Internet, for the $3,000.00 they need just to bury him.  Let alone take care of his wife and children.   Millions are slung at “causes” daily, but millionaires tend to over look poverty like this.  It just isn’t on their radar.

You, now, here can make a REAL difference in one persons life. http://www.gofundme.com/ik8bb0

 

Ferguson Files:Neither snow nor rain

This file is a combined file as there were two actions I attended this weekend and I was too tired to post Friday night.

It’s seems like Ferguson Fridays are becoming a thing, kind of like Moral Mondays.  Friday night was miserable, damp, with off and on rain throughout.  We’d already had over an inch of rain by the time we arrived at 7:30pm CST.  We’d come early as we’d brought out the canopy and cocoa.  Yeah, the chocolate fairy visits as often as she can.

The night started out small, about 15 protestors at 8ish but steadily grew over time to maybe 100.  They took the streets a few times and also did a die-in.  The police arrested 2 people from where I stood observing.  One was not arrested because the police snatched the protestor they thought they were after instead of the one who’d been standing in the streets moments earlier.  Can you guess what they were looking at?  I knew you could.

We shut down fairly early, about 1130 as the rain had intensified and it was dropping towards freezing.

 

Sunday in The Ville

The Ville used to be the middle, upper middle and upper class black section of St. Louis.  It had it’s own banks, stores, shops, garages, hospital, professional buildings etc.  It was a place of schools, clubs, community areas, in other words, just what you’d see in any prospering town.  It still holds some of its’ character and characters, but fewer and fewer all the time

Then came something called the Arch Grounds, Pruitt-Igo (The Pruitt-Igo Myth) and then a man named Paul McKee found out the city was giving, yes literally giving land and houses away.

You can google him and find all the grotesque things he’s done to get his hands on the property.  I’ll give you a brief taste: He wanted the land, so he’d buy a house from the city for about $100 and let it go to rack and ruin (blight).  This one house would then blight the block and then the neighborhood.  All the while he’s buying up areas and oh, he’s getting TIFF money from the city AND the state for a redevelopment.  Essentially he used money he got from the city to buy property from the city!  He finally had to present his redevelopment plan…….after YEARS of wrangling with the city and state over money.  Meanwhile, it goes further and further down hill in the area.  Now he’s finally filed his plan but it leaves out INFRASTRUCTURE!  Yeah, he’ll redevelop, but he won’t pay for sewers, water lines, sidewalks, etc.  Yeah, should be a fun place to live as the city is very close to broke now and is refusing to build the infrastructure.

But, these folks, decided to say “Thank you” to all the people who’ve been out there fighting and they are stepping up too.  It’s just amazing.

Ferguson Files: Diogenes Takes a “Down Day”

“Down Day”, it’s a term I learned in the military milieu, it means a paid day off or time to rest up before and after missions.  I didn’t know how badly I needed one until I was forced, by outside circumstances, to take one.   The “Organizers” talk about “self care” a lot, but my folks in the street don’t have the luxury of a free hotel room and room service.  They, like I, live here and have coped with it 24/7 since August.

Some have actually lived in the streets or parking lots where ongoing protests have been held for months now.  They rely on Mama Cat, Cooky, myself and others for food, clothes, even a place to get cleaned up.  It’s been bitter cold lately, so warmth is a big item on the “needs menu”.  The needs are being met by a few, non fully funded types, with the big orgs coming in for the major news slot nights, but day to day, not so much.

I want to thank all of those around the world who’ve been helping and supporting the protests here. I’d like to remind people to please check on any type of cyber fundraisers they see regarding Ferguson or St. Louis as, along with the protestors, the shysters are out there too.  However, I think the message may be getting out about racism and its’ devastating impact on everyone, no matter their skin color.  Hate hurts all humans.

Ferguson Files: Brownout Friday and Hijinks of Hangers on

First, I’d like to let everyone know that the woman who “died” and was resuscitated only to be gassed, on Monday is out of the hospital and, since she knew I and my crew were back out tonight, she came down to say thank you.

There were many Brownout Black Friday actions across the US, UK and even in South Africa today!  The “interference” is estimated to have cost the corporations (we hit malls and WalMarts) over 2.4 BILLION today alone.  And this goes through Cyber Monday.  Please remember, even a little “click” is another brick in the wall that is racism and classism and that is what this movement is about.

Tonight’s Report: I showed up with Ebonie, my stalwart artist and corpsman and Brien, the intrepid photo journalist, who’s been with me for nearly 4 years, about 7pm.  Mama Cat came with leftover Turkey dinner and handed me off a bunch of onions to turn into soup for Monday as the weather is supposed to be nasty again by then.  Actions were still taking place across the city until nearly 8pm and then folks started to trickle back into the parking lots in front of the PD.  It’s Day 111 and we’re still here and expanding the movement.

All was fairly calm until about 8:45pm local, when more strangers began to come into the areas.  We stayed, doing our stuff, no problem.  Then, these new folks wanted to march in the street.  After making sure, as best I could to inform them of the current standing orders, they went off to the south end of Florrisant.  The NLG National Hub had sent out new and more Legal Observers so they went down the street with them so the aid station would still be staffed and have an LO there.  It became very tense suddenly and the police AND the National Guard streamed out from behind their barricades and into the street after the marchers.

At the corner of Suburban and Florrisant, the National Guard threw out a line across the street, fronted by St. Louis County Cops.  The usual orders were announced: “You are in violation of the St. Louis County law by being in the streets.  Move onto the sidewalks or you’ll be arrested.”  I could see the LO’s trying to ask marchers to get up onto the sidewalks, but a lot of the newer folks refused.  Then came the order I never thought I’d hear in an American city: “You are now violating Federal Law.  Clear the streets or risk bodily harm or even death.”  Yes, that is verbatim.  I was told later that someone in the crowd touched or somehow “interfered” with a National Guardsman.  Not good.  I turned to Ebonie as she’s been out of the service for less time than I have and she shook her head too.  My information was that if a Federal order was ever given, the safety on the M-1’s could be “off” or ordered to be “off” at a moments notice.  So very Not good.

Luckily, the people that have been out here for 111 days have learned that when I get my “mom” voice on, they’d better listen.  I worked my way through the returning crowd informing all of what that “federal order” meant.  Was it legitimate?  That is for a court to decide.  I just didn’t want anyone killed in the street.  We, the long time protestors and LO’s backed up and WAY away from the group that had, despite warnings, decided to confront the police in the street.  The new folks were all masked up and “ready to party” and I was trying to convince them that our cops, they don’t play nice at all!  They didn’t want to listen, so I retreated back up the lot and set up the aid station again.

There were clashes, though I was not near enough to them to report other than there were arrests on Florrisant and some people were maced/pepper sprayed.  People flowed up the street trying to get out of the area, only to be confronted by a line of police up Tiffin who chased them back down after arresting another few people and forming another shield wall so we could not see the arrests.  I and the other LO that responded to a scream from the top of the road then had to yell at people NOT to RUN towards the police.  Since the news trucks had gotten what they came for, not the peaceful protestors withdrawing from the violence, but the violent confrontation with police by people who do not live anywhere near here and I’m sure had actions they could have done in their own cities.  I’m not saying don’t come, but make sure you come to protest and are willing to follow the real local leaders of this movement.  Which, by the way, is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Ferguson Files: Thanksgiving, Why I Serve

We didn’t go out tonight.  Well, we did and didn’t.  We went to help serve the Thanksgiving dinner that was given to the protestors by St. Luke’s AME Church.  It was a bit crowded, but there was more than enough.  Mama Kat always makes more than enough.  It was so good to see faces that have been missing or just missed in the crowds in Ferguson.  Even babies that haven’t been seen in months made the dinner.

You have to understand, after this long on the line with each other, we are family.  For all this time, there has been a 24/7 presence at the Ferguson PD.  The saying is, amongst us, that you’re not a “real protestor” until you’ve spent a night in the parking lot there.

After dinner, different groups went to different stores and malls to shut them down.  With much success I might add.  They were able to get by the National Guard that some idiot posted up outside the Galleria (very Expensive mall) instead of in Ferguson or other places that truly might have needed them.

There are some women who cook for us all the time, like Mama Kat.  I’m in charge of cocoa for the really cold nights now.  I am so very grateful for her and others like her for keeping body and soul together.  When a reporter asked us, “Do you use any special ingredients?”  We three “moms” there answered in unison without looking at each other.  One word.  Love.  I am so very grateful for that love, it keeps us going.

Ferguson Files: Snowing with a Chance of Teargas

I wasn’t going to stay tonight.  I had gotten a box of handwarmers donated so I was taking them over before picking up a guest at the airport.  Then I got the text he wasn’t going to make it, so we hung out for longer than we’d been expecting to do. It was nice to hang out, despite the snow/rain mix and catch up with how folks were dealing with having to Still be out there for justice.  They are “all good” and we’re doing Turkey dinner on the ground there tomorrow.  Yeah!

I was glad to see more foreign press there as they tend not to slant things too badly.  Unfortunately for myself, someone told some of them I speak more than English.  So, sans hat, I did do a spot for the Japanese, Netherlands, BBC Radio, Italian TV, and German news.  Ran into a friends’ professor, Chenjerai Kumanyika,  out from Clemson where they have their own issues on race relations: https://www.facebook.com/TigerStripesCU

Peace reigned, despite snow and because of Mama Kat and Karl bringing chicken soup and such.  Handwarmers were much needed.

Then, as it came up on 930pm our time, a flood of paler faces came into the area, went across to the PD and started to sweep south.  Other LO’s had showed up with new hats, so, since I wasn’t even supposed to be there, I bounced.  Didn’t need the drama since I’d left my medkit etc. home.  It’s ok, we’re back tomorrow and having Thanksgiving on the ground, exactly how it should be with a family that has welcomed me and mine for 4 years.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Ferguson Files: The Day After the Night Before

Yes, we went back out tonight.  The National Guard were posted up in full riot gear, shoulder to shoulder in front of the Ferguson PD and it wasn’t even 8pm our time yet.  I lost count of how many police, sheriff and NG vehicles we’d passed coming from two “towns” over (about 4 miles).  We parked at Queen’s Chinese and sat and ate dinner while doing a debrief of last night and checking our own “pulse” for the night.  It was strange, everyone felt a bit “off” and questioning themselves.  We were all still dog tired from the night before.  Karl, who lives in Ferguson was not coming out as he had “daddy duty” and he’d heard some rumblings of violence being brought TO Ferguson.

My phone went off.  Not unusual these days though I’m still not used to it “blowing up”, especially with private messages and texts.  So I broke the “no phones at dinner” rule and looked.

It’s funny how death threats can put you off good Lo Mein.  Seems some people, of the paler persuasion, were Really upset by the violence and property damage of the night before.  I mean seriously upset and literally gunning for revenge.

And I quote, “We’re going to go ________ (that word) hunting and get some of you race traitor, _______ loving protestors too.”  That is the nicest one I got.  Executive decision, I’m the oldest, reached right then, we were not staying.  I’d seen medics and LO’s a plenty, so I was not too worried but we did check in with the folks on the line.  It was ok with them.  They understand, too much sometimes.  But they know I’ll be back, I always am, and they know that about me.  Plans are already underway for Wednesday night.

NOTE: To those worried about the heart attack victim.  She made it to the hospital alive but is not doing very well.  I fear the time to revive and transport might have been too long.  This is unverified as all I got was her first name and her daughter’s name.  I hope for the best for both of them.

Ferguson Files: No Bill, People, Pundits and the Press.

First off I’d like to thank my “boys” who were with me tonight: Brien, Tristan, Logan, Claude and Karl.  Secondly, I’m going out on a limb and condemning the other NLG legal observers, not all of them, but the ones who threw off their hats and ran before the hard part even started.  You know who you are, and well, don’t even come close to me.  As devoted as I am to non-violence, you make me want to rethink that position.  A few stayed, Karl, Susan, the crippled Gulf War I vet whose name I didn’t catch.  W did our job, we don’t get paid to do this (conflict of interest at trials you know), we do it because we know it’s the right thing to do.  To bear witness and try and get the law to work for everyone, equally.  To the BBC and CBC, thanks for staying as long as you did.

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What happened tonight?  I hope you are still asking that question of yourself.  I was there, so I know, as do many others, though not all will say it straight.  As a legal observer, that’s my job, watch, record and then, if need be, tell the truth about what happened.  I’m not saying others that were there won’t have a differing opinion or viewpoint, we probably all will.  All I can do is say what I saw and experienced.

I arrived at the Ferguson PD about 15 minutes before the announcement was to be made.  Police in riot gear were already throwing a line across the front of the fire department and the PD. There was a crowd of a couple of hundred people, and the press, in the street.  Everyone waited.  And waited.  The announcement was late getting started and then went on and on, until they got to the heart of it and the grand jury returned NO BILL of indictment.

The crowd stood as if stunned for about 5 minutes.  Then the chants and marching began.  Still, no violence.  I had time to take pictures and tweet even.  Still, no violence.  Some folks even began to leave.  Traffic was a mess, but still, nothing.

Then, at the south end of the street, a signal flare went up and landed on a rooftop.  A few moments later, smoke was visible from that area.  A heartbeat or two and someone at that end of the street set off a roman candle, as if in imitation to the police’s signal.  A sudden sound and gas started creeping towards us but the wind was not favorable to gassing the crowd.  We masked up and readied emergency medical kits.  We were then able to take off the masks as the air cleared.  I was standing around talking to a few people when BOOM! (I found out later it was a police vehicle window being smashed out.) and people began to flood back towards the PD.

We stayed in place as folks knew where we were and I was still doing my job.  In fact, I’d not been that scared since the police went bonkers back in August, but I kept repeating, “just do your job” to myself, ok, aloud.

More gas and we were forced to move back up the street, but still with clear view of PD.  Suddenly, someone hollered my name.  There was an older woman down in the road.  Not responsive.  She’d had a heart attack from the tear gas.  Medics and nurses were there as soon as I arrived, so I moved up the street as there were more gas victims needing attention.  My photographer was caught in the crowd somewhere, but we all knew where to meet, so I wasn’t worried much about him.

As I knelt on the ground administering aid to another gas victim, I was told the “boys” were taking the heart attack victim down to the fire station next to the PD as instructed by 911 operator.  I started off after them.  The next thing I knew, I was enveloped in tear gas as the police walked the gas up the street.  I found out in a few minutes that the police instructed the men to drop the woman and back way.  As they did so, with hands in the air, they were fired upon and that was why the police were walking the tear gas up the street full of people already debilitated by gas.

A few minutes passed, the gas cleared a little and there was a young woman crying next to me.  The heart attack victim was her mother.  I told her I’d go down to find out what happened as no one had seen or heard ANY kind of emergency vehicle leaving the area.

As I walked down toward the PD, I was waving a white T-shirt, wearing my legal observer hat (neon green) and well, I’m about as white as you can get.  None of that mattered.  When I neared the sidewalk facing the PD, I noted a fire truck, in the road, in front of me, and I thought I saw firemen’s boots behind the back end so I steered towards it.  I raised both my hands and continued waving my “white flag”.  Right then, an order I could not understand was barked at me and suddenly, I was face to face with about 7 St. Louis County police, pointing rifles in my face and telling me to get back.  Those were the “boots” I saw behind the firetruck.  Thank goodness for Rev. Dr. Logan.  He helped me off the sidewalk (I’d begun to kneel as I thought that’s what the police were instructing me to do) and he helped me back into the parking lot.

Again, I was hollered at, there was a car full of tear gas and someone was trapped in it.  I sent one man for my bag and started, with Dr. Logan, up the street to render aid.  Someone got there first, so we turned around, noting ONE window of a shop broken out.  It would not be the last for this night.

Did places burn down?  Yes.  Was there looting?  Yes.  Was it “justified”?  I guess it depends on who you ask these days, and where you ask.

I haven’t cried yet, maybe it’s the gas or maybe it’s fury at seeing MY AMERICA betrayed like this.  Yes, mine, and yours.  Is this what we fight for?  What we dream of?  Not me, not this, not to be shot at like dogs in the street for doing nothing but protesting.   Think about that, it could be you next.

PS.  Pics added later as it’s 4am here and I’m back out in a few hours.

Ferguson Files: Another Weekend, Another Wait

We get rumors, speculation, guarantees and wannabees in the mix every day.  It, and the waiting are wearing people thin.  I seem to spend a lot of time asking folks not to risk arrest so that we will have them in our numbers on decision day.  But, folks choose what they choose.

There was a protest Saturday night at the Ferguson PD which resulted in some arrests including that of a member of the press.  This went directly against the injunction issued by the courts here on Friday to keep the police from arresting the press!  It’s not like it wasn’t obvious.  He had a huge camera kit, was on the sidewalk and had his press pass clearly visible.  So much for the authorities doing what other authorities tell them to do eh?

Sunday there were scattered protests throughout the St. Louis area: Shaw neighborhood (in South City and composed of mostly white protestors FROM South City), Riverview Gardens (mixed crowd) and back to Ferguson (more pepper than salt if you get my drift).  It’s not unexpected that whites in this city are not necessarily comfortable in other neighborhoods, but THAT is exactly what the problem is: People don’t know each other.  It’s time for the “paler protestors” to get comfortable with the people they are supposed to be in Solidarity with.  That, and get their shiny faces up front of the line.