Remembering VonDerrit Myers Jr. Protestors march in Shaw neighborhood on 1-month anniversary
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited NOVEMBER 13 – 19, 2014
Vol. 85 No. 32 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
COGIC in the community Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., Chief Apostle and Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, delivered a spiritual message on November 9 when COGIC held its 107th Holy Convocation at the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten is to the right.
107th Holy Convocation in St. Louis features service, outreach By Erica R. Van Buren Of The St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price
The Church of God in Christ held its 107th Holy Convocation at the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis from November 3-11. “The support of the greater St. Louis area is second to none,” said David Newsome, coordinator for the event. “The Bishops Lawrence M. Wooten, Robert J. Ward and
n “No one in need was turned away.”
– Jennifer Turner, COGIC member and volunteer
William Scott, along with their jurisdictional members, have done a fabulous job co-hosting once
again.” One highlight in a week of community outreach and worship was a day of community service at Cote Brilliante Elementary School in the 2600 block of Cora on Thursday, November 6. Every year COGIC leadership selects a school to visit and read to the children. Upon leaving the elementary
See COGIC, A6
Consecrating the streets Churches offer safe spaces, clergy train in ‘de-escalation’ By Kenya Vaughn, Bridjes O’Neil and Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American
Photo by Lawrence Bryant
Rev. Osagyefo Sekou trained peaceful protestors in non-violent civil disobedience on Tuesday, November 11 at Greater St. Mark Family Church in Ferguson.
Churches throughout the St. Louis region will offer “safe spaces” following the grand jury’s decision on whether to indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. Clergy are among those who are readying the community for what many are expecting to be a non-indictment of Wilson for the fatal shooting of unarmed teen Michael Brown Jr. on August 9 – and the unrest that is also expected to ensue. “The churches will have food available if people need to come in off the street and find respite,” said Rev. Renita Lampkin, pastor of St. John AME Church in St. Charles, Missouri. “There will be people who will provide comfort and offer a sense of community.” Four African Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches will serve as safe havens, including St. See CHURCHES, A7
Municipal courts lack diversity
Police coming ‘from all over the state’ Nixon discusses security plan after grand jury decision
Better Together reports county judges, prosecutors almost all white
By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American
By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American
Gov. Jay Nixon said he is prepared to activate the National Guard if “violence” erupts after the grand jury delivers its decision in the case of Darren Wilson, the Ferguson police officer who shot and killed unarmed teen Michael Brown Jr. on Aug. 9. “Violence will not be tolerated,” Nixon said at a press conference held Tuesday, November 11 at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C headquarters in St. Charles County. “The vast majority of people who want to speak
want to do so in a peaceful fashion, and it’s our job to make sure those voices are heard. Folks who are here to disrupt illegally will be dealt with quickly and efficiently.” The grand jury is expected to release its decision no earlier than Nov. 15 and sometime this month. St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert P. McCulloch deferred the decision on whether or not to indict Wilson in Brown’s death to the previously empaneled grand jury, which has been reviewing evidence since Aug. 20. See POLICE, A6
In St. Louis County municipal courts, 55 individuals fill 80 municipal judge positions, according to a Better Together St. Louis study released Thursday, November 6. Of these 55 individuals, only five are black and six are female. The demographics for prosecutors in these courts aren’t much different. Of the 80 prosecutor positions in county municipalities, only six Gov. Jay Nixon
See COURTS, A7