Cop wears ‘Wilson’ patch at protest Chief Dotson says officer and supervisor will be disciplined
See A9
St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited DECEMBER 18 – 24, 2014
Vol. 85 No. 37 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Super Ferguson Commission reviews municipal courts marches with students Jennings youth negotiate with St. Louis County police officers By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price
James Mathews expressed his displeasure with the municipal court system to Rebeccah Bennett of Emerging Wisdom during the third meeting of the Ferguson Commission held on Monday, December 15 at Saint Louis University.
Community, attorneys call for changes to ‘North County justice’ By Jason Rosenbaum Of St. Louis Public Radio Since the unrest in Ferguson began in early August, curbing the power of municipal courts has become a focal point for policymakers from across the political spectrum. But at the meeting of the Ferguson Commission at Saint Louis University’s Il Monastero on Monday, December 15, Maryland Heights resident Dan Hyatt brought
n “The attorneys called it ‘North County justice’ because they know it’s corrupt.” – Dan Hyatt
the issue home. The IT professional told commissioners how he was put in jail in Breckenridge Hills
for three hours after a disagreement over whether he stopped at a stop sign. He said it was a galvanizing experience. “I got into the North County courts and I saw nothing but injustice,” Hyatt said. “The blacks call it ‘just us,’ because there is no justice in St. Louis. The attorneys called it ‘North County justice’ because they know it’s corrupt. But they have to go along with the status quo.” This was a sample of testimony the commission’s 16 members heard about how municipal courts affect ordinary citizens. Since Michael Brown Jr. was shot and killed
See COURTS, A6
‘Black love matters’
At 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 11, about 80 students from the Jennings School District prepared to march from Jennings Senior High School to the city’s police department. They chose to protest outside of normal school hours – in a manner that would not disrupt classes, said Jennings Superintendent Tiffany Anderson. They first set off down Cozens Avenue toward City Hall. From there, they caught a school bus to Jennings Station Road and West Florissant Avenue, Jennings where they resumed their Superintendent march. Anderson led the Tiffany march with a bullhorn in Anderson hand and a pair of sneakers on her feet. The district became the latest to participate in protests following grand jury decisions, both here
See SUPER, A7
Silence speaks volumes as voices cry out
Ferguson protest leaders get engaged at STL City Hall
Protestors focus County Council meeting on Ferguson movement
By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American
By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American
n “It’s like watching poetry write itself.”
– Jamell Spann
Ferguson protest leaders Alexis Templeton and Brittany Ferrell got engaged and registered to get married at St. Louis City Hall on Tuesday, December 16.
Ferguson protest leader Brittany Ferrell remembers the first time she saw Alexis Templeton step out of the car at the Ferguson Police Department in mid-August. “She had on an UMSL shirt,” said Ferrell, 25. “I was like, ‘Oh, hey.’ I embraced her just because she was there. You hug people and you welcome them, especially in a
time like that.” From that moment, Templeton, 20, said it was if they had no choice but to be connected.
See LOVE, A6
Photo by Rebecca Rivas
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. St. Louis County Council Chair Hazel Erby called the meeting to order, motions were announced and the floor was opened for public comments to the half-full room of citizens and spectators. 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
See COUNCIL, A7