Tweet
Al Sharpton returns to stir up Ferguson
By St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) November 1, 2014 6:55 am
Text Size: A A A
(File Photo)
ST. LOUIS -- The Rev. Al Sharpton Friday kicked off four days of symposiums, workshops and rallies to ask Ferguson activists keep the focus on attaining justice for Michael Brown and his family."If there is not justice for this family than we have not achieved the goals of this movement," Sharpton told a gathering of 125 supporters at the Jonas Hubbard Community Center Neighborhood Center on St. Louis' near north side.
Sharpton in brief remarks to reporters additionally reiterated a call for St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch to step aside to allow the federal government to head the investigation into the death of Brown, the unarmed teen shot in August by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson.
He charged that leaks to the media about the events that unfolded on Canfield Drive the afternoon Brown was killed have "tainted" the process while "defaming and desecrating Michael Brown."
Sharpton said the leaks of internal investigation reports and the autopsy on Brown's body were designed to "make the victim look like a thug (instead) of an unarmed young man who was shot and killed. There is no reason why probable cause (in the Brown case) has not been executed" with the arrest of Wilson.
The activist and cable television talk show host called the national and local media stories this week on the possible resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson a distraction that deviates attention from the larger issue of justice.
In her own remarks, Lesley McSpadden, Brown's mother, renewed the family's plea for peaceful demonstrations after the county grand jury hearing evidence in the case releases its findings.
Brown family attorney Anthony Gray said the information appearing in the media about the case has also upset the family.
"Whomever has leaked information has achieved the goal of getting people to prepare for a non-indictment," Gray told reporters.
He however said that McSpadden continues to hope that Wilson will suffer the "consequences for the death of her child."
Sharpton and his National Action Network team have scheduled four days of activities in the St. Louis area -- one day for each of the Brown's body remained on the street following the Aug. 9 shooting.
The events include activities for young people, a Saturday afternoon workshop addressing police brutality, a Sunday gospel concert and a Monday "Get Out the Vote" in advance of the Tuesday general election in which St. Louis County residents will select a new county executive.
Sharpton announced Friday that the unexpected resignation of a high-ranking New York City Police Department administrator will cause him to miss some of the scheduled St. Louis events.
New York Police Commissioner William Bratton had announced earlier this week that Philip Banks III, currently the department's highest ranking uniformed officer, would be promoted to first deputy commissioner -- the agency's second highest rank.
Banks instead on Friday submitted his resignation, a circumstance that Sharpton said required his presence in New York for at least a portion of the weekend.
General assignment reporter Steve Giegerich covers St. Louis County. On Twitter @stevegiegerich
By St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) November 1, 2014 6:55 am
Text Size: A A A
(File Photo)ST. LOUIS -- The Rev. Al Sharpton Friday kicked off four days of symposiums, workshops and rallies to ask Ferguson activists keep the focus on attaining justice for Michael Brown and his family."If there is not justice for this family than we have not achieved the goals of this movement," Sharpton told a gathering of 125 supporters at the Jonas Hubbard Community Center Neighborhood Center on St. Louis' near north side.
Sharpton in brief remarks to reporters additionally reiterated a call for St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch to step aside to allow the federal government to head the investigation into the death of Brown, the unarmed teen shot in August by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson.
He charged that leaks to the media about the events that unfolded on Canfield Drive the afternoon Brown was killed have "tainted" the process while "defaming and desecrating Michael Brown."
Sharpton said the leaks of internal investigation reports and the autopsy on Brown's body were designed to "make the victim look like a thug (instead) of an unarmed young man who was shot and killed. There is no reason why probable cause (in the Brown case) has not been executed" with the arrest of Wilson.
The activist and cable television talk show host called the national and local media stories this week on the possible resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson a distraction that deviates attention from the larger issue of justice.
In her own remarks, Lesley McSpadden, Brown's mother, renewed the family's plea for peaceful demonstrations after the county grand jury hearing evidence in the case releases its findings.
Brown family attorney Anthony Gray said the information appearing in the media about the case has also upset the family.
"Whomever has leaked information has achieved the goal of getting people to prepare for a non-indictment," Gray told reporters.
He however said that McSpadden continues to hope that Wilson will suffer the "consequences for the death of her child."
Sharpton and his National Action Network team have scheduled four days of activities in the St. Louis area -- one day for each of the Brown's body remained on the street following the Aug. 9 shooting.
The events include activities for young people, a Saturday afternoon workshop addressing police brutality, a Sunday gospel concert and a Monday "Get Out the Vote" in advance of the Tuesday general election in which St. Louis County residents will select a new county executive.
Sharpton announced Friday that the unexpected resignation of a high-ranking New York City Police Department administrator will cause him to miss some of the scheduled St. Louis events.
New York Police Commissioner William Bratton had announced earlier this week that Philip Banks III, currently the department's highest ranking uniformed officer, would be promoted to first deputy commissioner -- the agency's second highest rank.
Banks instead on Friday submitted his resignation, a circumstance that Sharpton said required his presence in New York for at least a portion of the weekend.
General assignment reporter Steve Giegerich covers St. Louis County. On Twitter @stevegiegerich
Comment