Smashing pumpkins of racism Ferguson protestors spoof Keene riots at McCulloch’s ofice
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
CAC Audited OCTOBER 23 – 29, 2014
Vol. 85 No. 29 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
Municipal courts prey on the poor Better Together report shows NoCo munis survive on backs of blacks By Chris King Of The St. Louis American On October 16, Better Together released its study of the municipal courts in the St. Louis region. The report reveals troubling, systemic issues – most notably the fact that many municipalities bring in a large amount of their general revenue at the expense
of poor, primarily AfricanAmerican residents. The study reveals rampant lack of oversight that allows St. Louis County municipalities – especially in North County – to use their courts to, in effect, tax the poor unfairly and trap them deeper in debt. “We keep hearing the phrase ‘debtor’s prison,’” said Marius Johnson, coordinator of
n Twenty of the 21 municipalities that derive at least 20 percent of their general budget from fines and fees are located north of Olive.
Community Based Studies for Better Together. The report shows how the system has been allowed to function – or dysfunction.
The presiding judge in St. Louis County must oversee 81 municipal courts, more than 10 times the number of courts as an average judge in Missouri.
“This is lack of oversight by design,” Johnson said. “There is no way any one judge can keep track of that many courts.” The combined populations of the 90 municipalities in St. Louis County account for only 11 percent of Missouri’s population, yet bring in 34 percent of all municipal court fines and fees statewide (more
than $45.1 million in 2013). “The municipalities claim it’s a public safety issue, but we see court fees and fines coming up as property values are going down,” said Dave Leipholtz, director of Community Based Studies for Better Together, “which makes it difficult to accept the See COURTS, A6
Mothers march for justice
Zena Elam embraced her cousin Sebrina Elam during Saturday’s Mother’s March for Justice rally in front of the Buzz Westfall County Government Center in Clayton. Sebrina’s son Jared Elam was found fatally shot in a field near the 4200 block of Obear in September.
Female clergy, community mourn all victims of violence By Bridjes O’Neil Of the St. Louis American The Rev. Traci Blackmon, pastor of Christ the King United Church of Christ, said it was time for all wailing mothers to have a voice. “There’s a scripture in Jeremiah that says, ‘Call for the wailing women,’” Blackmon said. “No more killing. No more blood. No more wailing mothers.” Mothers from across the country gathered at the St. Louis County Justice Center in Clayton on Saturday, calling for an end to all violence. Blackmon helped organize the Mother’s March along with the Rev. Karen Anderson of Ward
n “No more killing. No more blood. No more wailing mothers.” – Rev. Traci Blackmon
Chapel AME, Rev. Rebecca Ragland of Episcopal Church of Holy Communion, and Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, a professor at Eden Seminary. Blackmon said the idea to organize a march stemmed from speaking engagements she accepted about Michael Brown Jr. Brown, an unarmed black See MOTHERS, A7
Photo by Wiley Price
Governor announces Ferguson Commission Governor Jay Nixon shakes the hand of St. Louis County Police Lt. Col. Troy Doyle on Tuesday, October 21, after announcing that he will create an independent Ferguson Commission at St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley. St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar is in the background.
Nixon: ‘there will be anger and conflict, fear and distrust’ By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
On Tuesday, October 21, Governor Jay Nixon announced a Ferguson Commission to study and address the socioeconomic issues underlying the unrest following the killing of Michael Brown Jr. by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson on August 9.
n “The enemies of change will not easily yield to reasoned voices calling for a stronger, more united region.”
While Nixon said the commission, whose members have not been appointed, would not investigate the killing, the group would have the full authority and resources of his office – Gov. Jay Nixon at its disposal. “While the issues that arose here were sparked by what happened in Ferguson, the challenges we face are broader than that,” Nixon said. “While I will work to make sure there are folks from that
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