Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary for the St. Louis County Council meeting this dreary afternoon at the Buzz Westfall civic building in Clayton on Tuesday, December 16.
Soon after, a shift in the regularly scheduled County Council programming took place.
“We are here today because the foul smell of injustice is still pervading our community – in this state and in this nation at large,” said a young woman who simply referred to herself as Sunny.
“You are able to live your lives in amble, whereas we have to live our lives in a state of urgency, because black people in this nation are in a state of emergency. Gov. Jay Nixon calls a state of emergency for people who simply want to protest – there is something wrong with that picture.”
She was one of four who signed up to speak before the County Council to voice their perspective on the Ferguson unrest.
“Across the street at the Justice Center there are fellow protestors who are imprisoned against their will, and the same officers who arrested them were the ones who were violating their constitutional rights,” Sunny said.
“What makes those officers fit to arrest anybody, if they have a wretched view of the rights of protestors? America is home to the world’s biggest prison population – 25 percent – yet it only makes up five percent of the world’s population. And the majority of the people in those prisons are black – and the majority of those protesters who remain locked up are black people. They are charged with felonies. Some of them may never be able to vote again. Black people are being disenfranchised once again.”
Scattered amongst comments that mostly concerned the Westlake Landfill, Ferguson was still top of mind. There was no extreme chaos – or even raised voices. Each protestor attempted to remain within the three minutes allotted, even though Sunny’s emotions got the better of her and caused her to go over by about 45 seconds.
“We are suffocating. Black people can’t breathe, just like Eric Garner,” Sunny said. “We chant and we are met with riot gear police because they think that we are going to do something – or they are simply expressing how powerful they are. How does that make us feel? How are we supposed to peacefully protest when we see riot gear police that are ready to attack us?”
Mark Lohr used his designated time to offer his personal hopes for area politics in the coming year.
“First, I want to wish that the Fannie Lou Hamer Democrats grow bolder, more energized and thrive,” said Lohr, a young white man. “I think their development is an exciting one for St. Louis in an otherwise boring, predictable and stale political environment. I hope that they become a model nationwide so that black, Hispanic and Native American groups can hold [politics] accountable.”
His second wish was for the Ferguson Commission to succeed. “I’m not really a believer in task forces or blue ribbon committees,” Lohr said, “but after last night’s meeting I have some more confidence.”
Mostly upbeat and optimistic, Lohr’s harshest remarks were reserved for last.
“I wish we could talk more seriously about court reform. No more preying on people who drive down 170 to UMSL to get ticket money – that’s ridiculous. My suggestion is if they don’t stop it, then let’s charge them too,” Lohr said.
“And lastly, I wish Bob McCulloch could man up, drop the charade of professionalism and resign as the bum he is.”
Christopher Woods, who is known throughout the protest movement as “Woo,” spoke through silence.
“Although we cannot afford to be silent anymore, I’m going to take the rest of my time and use it for a moment of silence in the memory of Mike Brown and all of the victims that have come before and after him,” Woo said.
He proceeded in silence with the longest two-and-a-half minutes in the history of a St. Louis County Council meeting.
Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American
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