This is a brief diary about 12-14 people that departed Hartford on 7-312-15 bound for Ferguson, Missouri. We intended to participate in the one year anniversary of the shooting death of Michael Brown by white Police Officer Darren Wilson. The trip took eight days-while we stopped at churches along the way collecting money for activist's legal fees who got arrested during the event.
We were suppose to depart ( 8-4-15) from Cleveland at 10:00am for Cincinnati. The group had discussions about a number of issues facing our tour ; we are late in leaving, it is 1:30pm and the next event is scheduled for 5:00pm. There is at least four hours of driving ahead of an already tired group. Well finally we arrived at Freedom Center Underground Railroad Museum around 6:00pm [ late one hour ]. The auditorium where we perform is filled with a few people. Bishop John Selders gives the audience an introduction about why the tour developed and goals after we reach Ferguson. While the band is singing songs I play along with spoons and dejembe. Several black male poets performed i.e. Austin Larkins , Gamm LeBeau , also one of the tour members named Jake recited personal poetry.
The tour group ate dinner -provided by hosts of a local church- and then I went to the Millennium Hotel around 11pm. The tour members slept in facilities provided by a local church.
8-5-15
At 11:00am Bishop Selders held group discussions in the basement of the church facility for our group to iron out differences. We were suppose to be on the road driving toward Ferguson but people wanted to talk. Around 1:00pm this meeting ended but there is still strong artistic feelings around how shows need to be performed. Finally the group is headed for St.Louis -we leave Louisville, Kentucky off the scheduled tour stop. It is 9:00pm on 8-5-15 and the group arrives in St. Louis seeking housing for the night. Again a local church provides housing for tour members while I sleep at the Cheshire Hotel room 249 ( a great place to reside ). Bishop Selders et al. went to the home of Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou a leading theologian of the Ferguson uprising. This short... slightly built man is highly intelligent and is fearless in facing oppression in that environment. Rev. Sekou revealed to us that Bree Newsome would be coming to Ferguson for Michael Brown's anniversary celebration and she might need security. Ms. Bree Newsome was arrested on June 27, 2015 for taking down the Confederate battle flag ... on the grounds of the South Carolina State House. This action has made Bree the target of certain right wing extremists and Rev. Sekou wanted to make sure this black woman did not get hurt by white racists in the area. I agreed to help provide security for Bree. Later the discussion at Rev. Sekou's home focused on what direction the Ferguson uprising needed to evolve into. For over one year dedicated activists -black, white, gay, straight- have been fighting against oppression in that area and many of these fighters are mentally -spiritually drained.
8-6-15
Bishop Selders, wife Pamela Selders and I went to several clothing stores. I need suitable clothing for the task of appearing with Bree Newsome in public. We then visited Greater Saint Mark Family Church in order to get a visual idea of how to best provide security for not only Bree Newsome but Professor Cornel West who would also join us for the Michael Brown celebration. Around 7:30pm members of the tour went to a local college to watch this documentary about the infamous shooting of a black male by this white male over the playing of loud rap music... in gas station.... 200-300 people were in attendance. Rev. Sekou was mobbed by well wishers and people taking pictures.
8-7-15
The tour group went to Civil Disobedience training at Greater Saint Mark Family Church in preparation for upcoming protests. Activists from all over America will participate in CD. These people are dedicated freedom fighters for liberation in Ferguson / St. Louis. Most of the activists meet at MoKabe's Coffee House to plan strategy. The owner of this establishment Maureen has graciously allowed her business to be the epic center of all the activity in preparation for Michael Brown's celebration. MoKabe's is the sacred place for activists of the Ferguson rebellion. Delphi had the Oracle of Apollo; St. Louis has MoKabe's as place of worship.
8-8-15
At 2:00pm Bishop Selders, Rev. Sekou et al. went to the rally of Vondruitt Meyers. This black man was shot 17 times by police and later died. His death happened six weeks after Michael Brown's. A crowd of at least one thousand people marched with the family one mile...in 90 minutes. Hot weather took its toll on many people, causing some to faint or discontinue the march. During this event security became a concern for Rev. Sekou due to the stalking of him by a white male. We provided security for Sekou especially, because this white male kept circling Sekou attempting to get close-for what purpose only heaven knows. During the route of this march I was impressed with the number of clergy that were in the crowd. At the end of this event organizers provided food and water. I am impressed by this well organized event. Let me also state that The Nation of Islam provided security and high visibility too. Around 7:30pm we picked up Bree Newsome from the airport. She is soft spoken but full of dedication to the liberation of black people from oppression.
Note: we also picked up Dr. Cornel West from the airport I believe on the same day. However for some reason this was not written down in the journal.
Around 8:25pm we arrived at MoKabe's Coffee House and ate dinner. Bree received lots of attention from admirers. Dr. West also was inundated by people wanting to take selfies etc.
8-9-15
At 6:30am almost 100 people gathered for interfaith service at scene of Michael Brown's shooting death. Rev. Sekou et al. departed for an interview with media at 7:00am. Rev. Sekou conducted the interview by cell phone. Rev. Sekou and group picked up Professor Cornel West from the airport (?). The group went to a Jesus / Justice meeting at St. John's Church titled "One Year After Michael Brown." Panelists at this event were Lisa Sharon Harper, Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, Alice W. Hunt, Rev. Starsky D.Wilson. There were 100 plus people attending this event. Later that night around 7:30pm Dr. West / Rev. Sekou spoke to 700-800 people at Greater Saint Mark Family Church. During this same event a panel spoke about the Ferguson rebellion. Around 11:00pm activists held street protests [ peaceful ], but during the event gunfire erupted on the streets. It was reported a black male fired shots at someone. Police then returned fire, wounding the black male with the gun. Rev. Sekou heard about the shooting and became agitated. We [ Bree, Dr. West, and I ] heard about the shooting while eating 11:30pm. Somewhere in all the confusion white men called Oath Keepers showed up carrying weapons... claiming to be protecting the media and protestors.
8-10-15
Rev. Sekou et al. took us to a church for rally before the protest at Department of Justice. Several speeches given by Bree, Dr. West and Rev. Sekou to fire up the crowd. We marched six blocks with 500 people to DOJ court house in hot as Hades weather. Rev. Sekou led the march with dejembe drum players in in front. A scroll of demands were read on steps of DOJ; songs were sung ... speeches given. At one point the police were lined up behind barricades in anticipation of CD. Police focused on Rev. Sekou and their actions caused me to stand behind him. Police walked closer to Sekou as his back was turned. I informed him of what was going on. Rev. Sekou turned to look at the police. Then at least 40 people started over the barricades led by Dr. West and Rev. Sekou. The activists sat down on the ground and sang... while locking arms. Then through skillful tactics the group moved closer to the entrance of court house ..blocking it and catching police off guard. People continued to sing... and chant outside of the barricades as police sent in reinforcements to handle protestors. At least 70 people were arrested that jumped those barricades. One hundred people later in the day 3:00pm blocked highways as part of a two pronged strategy of protest. Police arrested all protestors blocking the highway plus towed their cars. It was evident police were angry, using rough tactics on protestors by yanking them out of cars or slamming them to the ground.
During all of these protests officials declared a State of Emergency, bring National Guard into St. Louis and Ferguson. At this juncture Bishop Selders decided to leave the area [7:00pm ] and get everyone back to Connecticut.
8-12-15
We arrived in Connecticut around 4:00pm tired but grateful for having shared the experience with activists in Ferguson.
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