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St. Louis American Page D1
The
CAC Audited DECEMBER 9 – 15, 2021
Serving, empowering and advocating for equity in St. Louis since 1928
stlamerican.com
U.S. Rep. Bush calls McKee’s actions ‘an abomination’ State Sen. Karla May, others sidestep issue
tant to comment as May and state Sen. Steve Roberts Jr., who said he had to review the issue last week State and local officials continand did not offer any comment to ue to weigh in on a new medical The American before this edition’s facility that bears the “Homer G. press time. Phillips Hospital” name in North “I’ve been saying for the last St. Louis. year or so that the Homer G. State Sen. Karla May, and othPhillips I grew up hearing about ers dodged taking a stand on the and that so many people in our Karla Paul Lewis controversial issue. community remember because May McKee Reed “There are other people who are they were there, especially our leading this, and I don’t want to elders, has a rich history, the get in front of them,” May said. history of it being a staple not only locally but nationwide She had no further comment. and to reduce its legacy to a three-bed hospital is really an St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed has abomination,” Congresswoman Cori Bush said in a phone not joined Mayor Tishaura Jones, Comptroller Darlene interview. Green and Treasurer Adam Layne in condemning McKee’s Bush, along with other notable elected officials, have audacity. The St. Louis American has requested a comment shown their disdain for local developer Paul McKee placing from Reed, and he has refused to respond for a month. Not all elected officials are as silent as Reed or as relucSee BUSH, A6 By JoAnn Weaver The St. Louis American
n “Homer G. Phillips…has a rich history, the history of it being a staple not only locally but nationwide... to reduce its legacy to a threebed hospital is really an abomination.” – U.S. Rep. Cori Bush
March against violence About 400 students took part in a Stop The Violence march from Wohl Recreation Center in the city’s Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood to Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School in the city’s Covenant Blu/Grand Center neighborhood where students made speeches in support of a nonviolent community on Wednesday, Dec. 1.
Vol. 93 No. 37 COMPLIMENTARY
City sues state over law with ‘police officers’ bill of rights Attorneys say several provisions are unconstitutional
By Dana Rieck The St. Louis American St. Louis leaders have challenged a new Missouri law that expands the rights of police officers and mandates local governments provide their legal defense in court regarding their actions while off duty. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones’ administration filed a lawsuit Dec. 3 against the state and Attorney General Eric Schmitt. At the center of the suit’s several allegations is Senate Bill 26, which was passed in May after its introduction in December 2020. It is labeled as “relating to public safety” Mayor and grew from its original Tishaura seven sections to 88 sections Jones — many of which were not related to public safety. “The wide range of subjects, bearing little or no relationship to ‘public safety,’ is fatal to the validity of SB 26,” the city’s attorneys argued The lawsuit also alleges the same bill is unconstitutional because of a provision requiring the city to fund the defense, representation and indemnification, even if the actions in question were done while the offiSee POLICE, A7
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
Third in a series
Interest in mobile markets gains speed Researcher says many efforts sputter
By Karen Robinson-Jacobs The St. Louis American Bracing themselves against an unrelenting December wind, more than a dozen early risers queued up Monday in the parking lot of a North St. Louis Family Dollar store. They awaited the start of a monthly giveaway of fresh produce, meats and hygiene products contained in a colorful 28-foot trailer hauled around by a white Ford pickup. Sponsored by the St. Louis Area Foodbank, the “Food on the Move” program was launched this April, near the start of year two of the coronavirus pandemic. The program was born, in part, following the realization that drive-thru food distribution – a mainstay during the pandemic – can be a challenge for area residents without cars. Edma Mixen, 73, has made the mile and half walk to the Family Dollar from her home before, though this day she was driving. Having a car came in handy as she ambled out of the food distribution trailer toting ham, chicken, soap and other grocery items – all available at
See MARKETS, A7
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis AMerican
The St. Louis Area FoodBank’s Food on the Move is a direct service program for individuals living in areas of Illinois and Missouri with limited access to healthy food and resources. Monday morning Dec. 6, 2021 the unit was set up at the intersections of Carter at Grand Blvd. in the city’s Fairground neighborhood.
BOA declares city ‘sexual and reproductive health care safe zone’
Resolution passed amid Supreme Court abortion cases
By Dana Rieck The St. Louis American With the future of the nation’s reproductive rights in the hands of a conservative-leaning Supreme Court, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen adopted a resolun “I do not want tion Friday declarto go back to ing the city a the days where “sexual and repropoor pregnant ductive health care people are doing safe zone.” Alderman Bill abortions by Stephens, Ward 12, coat hangers, sponsored the resbecause the rich olution along with co-sponsors includwill always find ing: Sharon Tyus, a way to have it Christine Ingrassia, done safely.” Annie Rice, Dwinderlin Evans, —Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer, Sharon Tyus Tina (Sweet-T) Pihl, Megan Green, Lisa Middlebrook and Pamela Boyd along with aldermen Dan Guenther, James Page and Jesse Todd. It was adopted on a voice vote, with no See BOA, A6