Jamala Rogers
#StandWithKim
St. Louis City Counselor, Julian Bush, has joined the racist and sexist attacks on Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, the first African American prosecutor. See his racist and belittling comments in the Post Dispatch: http://bit.ly/2IZdr1e
Call these city officials (Board of E&A) & demand Bush publicly apologizes:
1) Mayor Lyda Krewson: 314-622-3201
2) Comptroller Darlene Green: 314-622-4389
3) President of the Board of Alders, Lewis Reed: 314-622-4114
Arson attack on the Highlander Center
Jamala Rogers’ commentary on “Protecting our Precious Institutions.” Read more.
100 Days of Justice
“I will not prosecute poverty.”
To a standing-room-only crowd, Wesley Bell talked about what he’s been up to in the first 100 days as the 1st African American St. Louis County prosecutor.
One of the areas of concerns that was brought up was the issue of child support. Bell stated that from experience he knows how it feels to keep up with child support. He’s thankful to be able to go to work and pay it off, but he understands that not everyone has the money and opportunity to do so. He sided with keeping family members together and will not prosecute people who fail to pay their child support.
Bell will also not prosecute marijuana possession cases of fewer than 100 grams, “What we can do is dis-incentivize those types of unfair stops & policies. By not prosecuting these cases we help disincentivize these stops.”
The majority of people being held in jail for misdemeanors cases are working poor and can’t afford the amount the bail is set for them. Bell’s office will not request cash bails but instead issue summonses on class D and E felony cases. This would help low income household members by giving them the opportunity to await their court date while being able to work and take care of their family needs. He has reduced the jail population by 12% since being in the prosecuting attorney’s office.
OBS Condemns NZ Terrorist Attack
March 15. Bigotry and racist hatred have once again reared its ugly head. The Organization for Black Struggle (OBS) vehemently condemns the evil that claimed nearly 50 people in New Zealand today and injured dozens of others. This attack is another reminder that Muslims all over the world are in the crosshairs of Islamophobia. We support one’s human right to practice the religion of their choice.
OBS is in fierce opposition of today’s cowardly act of bigotry, hatred and terrorism as it is all too reminiscent of the bigotry, hatred and terrorism that Blacks have faced in this country for over 400 years. We stand with freedom-loving people who denounce all forms of religious prosecution and violence in the U.S. and abroad.
Marlene Schuman: Rest in Power
Marlene Schuman January 7, 1947 – February 9, 2019
St. Louis lost a gentle warrior in the physical form of Marlene “Mar” Schuman. Marlene had requested that her memorial be held at the Rowan Community Center, a space where she spent many hours engaged in political discussion, strategizing and networking. Fortunately, she was convinced the RCC was much too small to hold the numbers of people who would turn out for her memorial. Marlene was a loyal and generous OBS member. The most important legacy that Mar will leave behind is that she lived her authentic self. She was driven to be the best of the human species, modeling the humanity that she advocated. No, hypocrisy was not part of her DNA. For those who truly knew her, she will be forever loved. OBS was named to receive donations in Marlene’s memory. Read her obituary here.
The Fight for Justice Takes Its Toll on Ferguson Activists
By Joe Penney
St. Louis, Missouri–Ferguson
Ferguson activist Melissa Mckinnies sat on her couch, her hair tied in a bun, and spoke deliberately, in a soft, hushed tone. The shades were drawn.