New York Daily News July 30, 2015
A packed community meeting in Ferguson, Mo., descended into chaos Thursday night after name-calling gave way to an all-out brawl that highlighted the simmering racial tensions still present nearly one year after an unarmed black teen was shot and killed by a police officer.
At least three people were arrested outside the Ferguson Community Center after an informal question and answer session between locals and Mayor James Knowles III was interrupted by protesters.
The tense meeting broke up early and Knowles quickly bolted when a physical encounter turned into a fight.
Brown was shot and killed after a confrontation with Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9, 2014. A St. Louis County grand jury didn't indict Wilson but he later resigned from the force."If this is their idea of change everything just got worse," protester and Ferguson resident Tony Rice told the Daily News. "It began when a white lady knocked a cellphone out of a protester's hand."
Knowles set up the town hall-style meeting meant only for residents to discuss any number of issues — from economic to racial — that have arisen in the year since the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown cast a national spotlight on the St. Louis suburb.
"I want to have a regular conversation to address the issues before they turn into a crisis," Knowles told the crowd of about 50.
Residents were encouraged to write questions on index cards to prevent a repeat of past meetings where people were heckled or shouted down.
The mayor warned the crowd there would be consequences for anyone who blocked traffic on Aug. 9. Four days of events are planned to commemorate Brown's death, including a silent march organized by #UnitedWeFight activists.
About 20 protesters stood outside and disrupted the meeting anyway. It's unclear how many were locals.
"Recall Knowles! Recall Knowles!" they shouted. The mayor has been the target of a petition calling for his recall.
"Sometimes it's hard to communicate with residents because there's screaming outside," an exasperated Knowles told the town hall crowd.
Police stationed at the door allowed the protesters inside and the meeting quickly devolved. The me-lee spilled outside. Additional police arrived and made arrests.
No one was injured.
"The City will continue to embrace open dialogue with individuals who are wanting to make our city a better place," the city tweeted afterward. "But, the disruption of meetings cannot and will not be tolerated."
(It is interesting how this story is framed. Michael Brown is an "unarmed black teen" and the me-lee started because of a "white lady" getting physical with a "protester." That is some top notch reporting there let me tell you. It looks like Ferguson is really turning it around. The best thing about President Obama is the racial healing he has brought to us.)
4 comments:
Tedious. The great black drama is a never-ending repeat performance. Patrick Moynihan was right.
I wonder if these black have been seen protesting at their local baby body part death merchant store fronts in their neighborhoods. After all, they are one of their biggest customers.
I live on the west side of L.A., but I work in Compton. The difference is glaring. Near my home people pull over to let you by, they wave you through, they stop at stop signs, they mostly follow the laws from what you can see. In Compton, I watch people cut you off, they ignore stop signs and most days including today when getting on the freeway, I watch almost exclusively Blacks pass everyone by in line and use the high occupancy lane with only themselves on board. There is a new culture of lawlessness and frankly selfishness that is fouling that demographic and and it's relationship to everyone else. This is a racist fact, that nearly everyone exposed to it sees and knows, including those doing it.
What would Marlin Perkins say?
Yes, I went there and hope that you do too.
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