This is the account of people going from Hartford, CT to Ferguson, Missouri for the 1 year anniversary of Michael Brown's shooting death by a white police officer.
PITTSBURGH
We arrived in Pittsburgh [August 2, 2015] for the purpose of raising money for legal fees at local churches, then giving those funds to activists in Ferguson. The Ferguson Tour group unloaded sound equipment for the performance that night and spoke with the church Pastor. This is a Mennonite congregation located in the heart of an urban setting. We looked out into the audience of 120 people who eagerly awaited our music / poetry performance. Bishop Selders led songs while other tour members participated in other activities. During the question and answer period several church members expressed sympathy with activists in Ferguson and wanted to help support their efforts in some manner. Bishop Selders asked these church members to donate money for the legal fund. Tour members stayed at homes of other Mennonite church folk who were very gracious in offering to help us out. That night -11pm- church folk invited us to dinner at a local eatery and engaged tour members in conversation about social justice issues. Once again artistic differences emerged about music etc., but these problems were overcome.
CLEVELAND
On August 3, 2015 the All Roads Lead To Ferguson Tour arrived into Cleveland, Ohio ( 6pm ? ). I believe Trinity Commons Church hosted our group. There were 50-60 people present in the audience; a black female opened up the performance with poetry recitation. Bishop Selders began with commentary about what is going on in Ferguson, MO plus how our group traveling there [ for Michael Brown's shooting death ] is essential in order to help fellow activists. Rap music / poetry were presented by various artists before church members ; then as tour members sang, church members came up on stage to join in. Some people actually marched around and stomped on the Confederate Flag. Lots of emotion at this event especially during stomping on Confederate Flag. Finally the tour group departed from this grand church structure and went to various sleeping locations. I went to bed at 12am
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