‘We must’ do the right thing
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited JANUARY 11 – 17, 2018
Vol. 89 No. 42 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
‘People are saying they want accountability’
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief John Hayden spoke with reporters and editors at The St. Louis American’s downtown offices on Thursday, January 4.
A conversation with Police Chief John Hayden By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American The St. Louis American sat down for a long, candid conversation with new St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief John Hayden on January 4. Questions and answers have been lightly edited for space. Photo by Rebecca Rivas
The American: At the September 29 protest near Busch Stadium, protestors were maced and one was tased. However, at a different protest at the same place, called “white ally night,” protestors were pushing the police (unlike on the 29th), but police didn’t use any chemicals or take any actions against them. Could you speak to why there was such a disparity between those two
nights? Hayden: The nights I was working were September 28 and September 29. That being said, I can’t speak to what people say they experience as a disparity when they encounter the police. I just know there was none of that going on when I was working. I
See HAYDEN, A6
SEIU workers will try mediation with Ferguson nursing home Striking employees give symbolic ‘Pink slip’ to Christian Care Home owners By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price
Kuumba Youth celebrate Kwanzaa The Kuumba Youth Performance Ensemble performed at the St. Louis Art Museum’s 2017 Kwanzaa Festival Saturday on December 30, 2017. The troop is comprised of members from ages 8–16 who travel the region as ambassadors of African-American cultural heritage. Kwanzaa, which means “First Fruits” in Swahili, is a cultural festival based on African harvest traditions. This year’s celebration ended on January 1.
Mediation will take place on Thursday, January 11 between Service Employees International Union workers and Ferguson nursing facility Christian Care Home – this time called for by the nursing home. Previous negotiating n One grievance sessions were not productive. that came up at Workers have been on strike Christmas time since December 1, alleging concerns the sick- unfair labor practices. About 90 workers are affected by the time buy-back program allegedly strike. They include nursing assistants, medication technicians denied to striking and workers in maintenance, workers. housekeeping , laundry and nutrition, according to Brenda Harris, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) shop steward at Christian Care Home, who works as a restorative aide. Harris said their contract ended in August and a new administration came to Christian Care in September, at which time issues were exacerbated. The workers seek to resolve 13 grievances and have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). See STRIKE, A7
Activists demand action on homeless crisis Porta-a-potty in memory of Grover Perry taken to Mayor Krewson’s doorstep, City Hall By Sophie Hurwitz For The St. Louis American Early on Monday, January 8, a group of about 15 activists delivered a wake-up call to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson. They stood in front of Krewson’s Central West End home banging pots and pans and demanding that she come outside to speak with them. They were there to protest what they
Activist Elizabeth Vega leaves a cardboard mockup of a port-apotty at City Hall on January 8 in protest of the city’s homeless services. Grover Perry, a homeless man, died in a porta-potty in December.
see as an inadequate response by the city to the plight of the homeless. When the mayor finally emerged, she was met with a strange sight: a port-a-potty and two dumpsters, on her front porch. These objects, large and blue and made of cardboard, were meant to call Krewson’s attention to their feelings that the city has failed to protect its homeless population – particularly in response to two individuals who succumbed to the frigid temperatures. In the past two weeks, a man named Grover Perry was found frozen to death in a port-apotty, and another 54-year-old man (name unknown) was found frozen to death in a dumpster. See HOMELESS, A7 Photo by Rebecca Rivas
NEWS
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Jeri Rhodes holds St. Louis Rowing Club junior records, won national gold medal, aims for Olympics
Circus pro Sydney Bateman from North City helps Circus Harmony prepare for ‘Legato’
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