District champs crowned Many teams put on a scoring clinic as football playoffs continue.
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CAC Audited NOVEMBER 14 – 20, 2013
Vol. 84 No. 32 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Answer demanded Ferg-Flor school board won’t say why superintendent was suspended By Rebecca S. Rivas Of The St. Louis American
Photo by Wiley Price
Redditt Hudson of the NAACP (right) speaks with Jacque Land of the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Rev. Freddy J. Clark, pastor of Shalom Church and St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley at a meeting in support of Ferguson-Florissant Superintendent Art McCoy Jr.
St. Louis County residents, students and city officials are demanding answers as to why Superintendent Art McCoy Jr. of the Ferguson-Florissant School District was removed from his position last week. On Nov. 6, six of the seven school board members voted to place McCoy
on administrative leave because of “differences in focus and philosophy between the board and the superintendent.” Larry Larrew, chief accountability officer, is now serving as acting superintendent. On Friday, the Citizens’ Taskforce for Excellence in Education – a coalition of citizens, clergy and community leaders – called the board’s explanation “weak”
and “irresponsible” at a press conference at Shalom Church (City of Peace) in Berkeley. Rev. Freddy J. Clark, pastor of Shalom Church, said McCoy is an important and beloved leader in the community, and the board cannot expect to “tamper” with McCoy without a fight from the community. See ANSWER, A7
COGIC ‘shows love’ 106th Holy Convocation features ministry to inmates and youth
Photo by Wiley Price
Lindenwood honors Earl Austin Jr.
By Bridjes O’Neil Of The St. Louis American The Rev. Bessie M. Brown, member of the Revival Center Church of God in Christ and local jail ministry volunteer, organized the COGIC: Convocation Peace March during the Church of God in Christ’s 106th Holy Convocation, held in St. Louis November 4-12. Brown teamed “The jail up on the march visitation, of and jail visits course, is with personnel just a from three departments ministry to within the individuals Church of God In who are Christ: COGIC incarcerated, Urban Initiatives, Prison Ministry to show and the them our International love.” Department of Evangelism. – COGIC They were also Presiding joined by a dozen Bishop or more members Charles E. from local conBlake Sr. gregations. “The Bible says, ‘Without a vision the people perish,’” Brown said. “And God impressed upon my heart to coordinate this march. I’m grateful to Him for using me for His service.” They gathered at Soldiers’ Memorial Park at the corner of Market and Tucker on Friday, November 8, before trekking less than a block to the St. Louis Justice Center. Police escorts halted traffic as marchers crossed Tucker Boulevard singing “I’m a Soldier in the Army of the Lord,” capturing the attention of See COGIC, A7
St. Louis American sports editor Earl Austin Jr. and Lindenwood head coach Brad Soderberg
Alma mater retires jersey of STL ‘ambassador of sport’ By Chris King Of The St. Louis American Lindenwood University is retiring Earl Austin Jr.’s basketball jersey #41 as part of “Earl Austin Jr. Night” on Tuesday, November 19 because of his accomplishments on the hardwood. Austin, St. Louis American’s longtime sports editor, played ball at Lindenwood from 1982-86 and left the program as its all-time leading scorer with 1,972 points. His 56 percent field goal percentage is also best in program history. The St. Louis native is also second with 840 rebounds and 546 field goals. But his value to the men’s basketball program at Lindenwood See AUSTIN, A6
Can segregation make you sick? By Robert Joiner Of The Beacon
Photo by Wiley Price
The Right. Rev. Lawrence M. Wooten Sr., regional prelate for the Church of God in Christ, listens as COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. brings his message during Sunday’s service in America’s Center at COGIC’s 106th Holy Convocation held in St. Louis.
When June Green’s eyesight is so weak that she is unable to drive, her first thought is about the tiring uphill trek to reach a Metro stop to board a bus to shop for groceries, visit a doctor or run other errands. “On a good day,” she says, “I can make that walk. It might take me 25 minutes, but I can make it.” During those walks, she says she also thinks about how her See SICK, A6