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The council meeting / DoJ forum / townhall whatever it was called that I attended last night was at Wellspring Church, on N Florissant at Wesley Ave. There was supposed to be a meeting for each Ward, this one being Ward 2, but we learned that the Ward 1 meeting was cancelled and all the attendees were coming to this meeting. It was scheduled to be from 6-8, I showed up a couple minutes late (it started even later) and it was standing room only. The people from the church brought in more chairs, but there were nowhere near enough. Racial makeup of the attendees looks to be about 50/50 black and white, which reflects this area of town pretty well. Lots of media outside, none allowed in. City Council members in attendance were Byrne, James and Kallstrom. I assume the rest were at the Ward 3 meeting, along with our illustrious mayor. The meeting started with the DoJ guy talking briefly about his department and how they do their work behind the scenes. They don’t announce themselves or talk to media. He talked about laws in place that prohibited him from doing so, and noted that since his job was as a mediator, being in the public eye in any way could make things more difficult. The meeting was intended to be confidential. The councilmen gave some opening remarks, though they didn't say anything particularly interesting. Brief introduction, hi I hope this thing tonight helps us all, etc etc. Then there was a very long open period where residents were free to make statements or ask questions (or in a few cases, vent very loudly). All of these comments and questions were written down on a huge poster pad. The idea was that the concerns of the people were being "written down" and would be used to help shape the way the city would change in the near future. I count 28 people spoke, if my notes are correct. After this, the councilmen addressed some specific questions that were asked and talked a bit about the agenda for tonight's council meeting. Then residents were allowed to speak again, to ask the council members to clarify responses or explain their statements further. Then the DoJ guy closed the meeting. In all it ran just under two hours. A friend of mine posted elsewhere "I talked with the guy who ran the meeting afterwards and I asked him two questions I had thought about but forgot. Why hadn’t the city made any public announcements on the city website or facebook? Will further forums run similarly? He said that in fact how this evening’s meeting would run wasn’t finalized until this afternoon, and thus for various reasons there wasn’t time to make it more public. His hope/belief was that shortly it will be posted on the city’s website and facebook page. As to how future meetings will run he was still unsure, but I feel that if the future meetings are run and put together as tonight’s was, they should all be productive in some measure." I walked home afterwards alternately pleased and very discouraged. I think the meeting went pretty well overall. There wasn't any great belligerence of note, and it was a bit refreshing to hear a city council member to talk about how a new norm is needed and will happen, but the ignorance and, well, disengagement of a lot of the people who spoke was upsetting. One psychotic woman in particular had some comments that made me want to rip her goddam throat out, but everyone respectfully let everyone else talk. There were a lot of genuine, thoughtful, and compassionate statements made as well, and I hope that those are the voices that are heard through this as we go on. I verified with my wife that there were in fact six people thrown out of the meeting for recording it. Three people individually, then a group of three who were tossed together. The people in attendance were generally pleased to see them go, cheering and whatnot as they were escorted out. I've also heard that the Ward 3 meeting was a bit more tense, with more anger flaring up, but as there was no recording of anything, I can't say with any kind of certainty. The only thing I know for sure is that Mayor Shitbird gave an unnecessary speech at the end, and it ran longer than the Ward 2 meeting by at least an hour.
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Sep 23, 2014 23:32
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Thanks for the trip report. If you don't mind me asking, what did the woman say? What did everyone say specifically about Mike Brown, the protests. Police response etc. Were any plans of action outlined? What kinds of answers were given? Did they seem sincere at all?
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Sep 23, 2014 23:43
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JohnClark posted:It would be nice if the gun nuts that are always so up in arms about their beloved passion would be as up in arms about police officers violating perhaps the most important firearm safety rule around. I doubt most gun nuts would mind police officers breaking that cardinal rule just to remind the Negros what could happen to them if they keep up being uppity and whatnot. And thanks for the report, OhNoLookOutRUN.
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Sep 23, 2014 23:50
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Koalas March posted:Thanks for the trip report. If you don't mind me asking, what did the woman say? Crazy lady said that the black community in Ferguson is guilty of extortion. This whole thing just is them trying to shake down the white community. Nobody applauded after she spoke, which is the only good thing I have to say about those three minutes. There were no real discussions of the major protests on W Florissant in the week following the shooting, but plenty of people upset about their organic kale buying experience being disrupted (and not just white residents, either), as well as a few complaining about protesters in general, wanting to know if the ones crossing the line are going to be stopped. Those people were in the minority for this event, though. There were several statements from residents concerning PD transparency and government accountability. One woman spoke about taking the color out of Michael Brown, focusing on him as a human being rather than as a black man. She talked about how race in general can't be ignored, but it shouldn't be the focus of Michael Brown or his legacy. One man who mumbled and I couldn't hear most of what he said, but I did make out that he was asking about a special prosecutor in the case of Wilson. Lots of people asking about the traffic violations and city revenues from it, including one man who criticized the city council for being unable to make and stick to a budget without breaking the backs of the black community (this guy was applauded). Not a single mention of police brutality or riot police or militarization. Well, no, one guy made a weird offhand comment toward the very end about police brutality, but his thing seemed to be YOU GUYS DON'T EVEN KNOW, MAN. Kinda rambled for a minute then left the meeting. The council guys seemed sincere, and mentioned a few things about abolishing some of the ridiculous traffic fines and such (which will probably be addressed in tonight's council meeting), as well as voting issues. Several people who spoke stressed the importance of voting, and then councilman James said something about voter registration being great, but voter education being even more important, and briefly mentioned that he was going to pursue ways to better inform people of issues up for vote.
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Sep 24, 2014 00:28
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City council meeting starts in 30 minutes. Someone post the stream link Tia
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Sep 24, 2014 00:29
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double post
Woof Blitzer fucked around with this message at 00:44 on Sep 24, 2014 |
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Sep 24, 2014 00:29
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http://www.fergusoncity.com/487/Live-Streaming
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Sep 24, 2014 00:45
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Civilian oversight board has been tabled.
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Sep 24, 2014 01:16
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I really hope there is a department somewhere out there that bought pepperballs, was too cheap to buy a marker with a breech sensor and then the bolt chopped one 
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Sep 24, 2014 01:40
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Neo Duckberg posted:Civilian oversight board has been tabled. City council just fuckin hates their constituents
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Sep 24, 2014 02:24
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bassguitarhero posted:City council just fuckin hates their constituents It's gonna be a fun spring.
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Sep 24, 2014 02:27
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JohnClark posted:It would be nice if the gun nuts that are always so up in arms about their beloved passion would be as up in arms about police officers violating perhaps the most important firearm safety rule around. How's that?
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Sep 24, 2014 02:40
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JohnClark posted:It would be nice if the gun nuts that are always so up in arms about their beloved passion would be as up in arms about police officers violating perhaps the most important firearm safety rule around. No rule violation here! quote:2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
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Sep 24, 2014 02:49
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OhNoLookOutRUN posted:This is the second time it's been destroyed. I desperately hope this was an accident, someone being careless with a candle or something, but that doesn't seem likely. Zeitgueist posted:Didn't a cop order his dog to pee on it? Holy poo poo. Sources for these? I hadn't heard about this, but if these are true then holy gently caress this PD is just shameless.
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Sep 24, 2014 03:22
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MeatwadIsGod posted:Holy poo poo. Sources for these? I hadn't heard about this, but if these are true then holy gently caress this PD is just shameless. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/27/michael-brown-memorial_n_5723864.html
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Sep 24, 2014 03:25
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MeatwadIsGod posted:Holy poo poo. Sources for these? I hadn't heard about this, but if these are true then holy gently caress this PD is just shameless. For what it's worth, my understanding of working dogs, especially police-trained ones, is that the dog would have had to have been specifically ordered to do this as they don't just pee where they want when on duty. So yeah.
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Sep 24, 2014 03:29
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police dogs are perfectly inerrant flesh machines with a 44% success rate.
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Sep 24, 2014 03:46
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Sep 24, 2014 04:14
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Miltank posted:police dogs are perfectly inerrant flesh machines with a 44% success rate. Police dogs are never wrong. They do not alert to drugs, they alert to the odors and residues of drugs. If the dog alerts and no drugs are found it may be because drugs were stored there in the past. This is a correct alert. Drug dogs alert correctly 100% of the time.
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Sep 24, 2014 04:16
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So since none of that meeting streamed last night, any news on the ground?
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Sep 24, 2014 17:19
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That guy with the orange shirt holding the mic is making me giggle.
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Sep 24, 2014 17:32
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ImAMinister posted:So since none of that meeting streamed last night, any news on the ground? It wasn't streamed?
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Sep 24, 2014 17:33
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Republicans posted:That guy with the orange shirt holding the mic is making me giggle. No lie, he looks almost identical to the president of the company I contract for. And yes, he's a massive racist/homophobe. A good ol' boy from Alabama who's terrified of anyone who isn't white.
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Sep 24, 2014 17:51
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Neo Duckberg posted:It wasn't streamed? No, if this was the one with the feds. They eschew media attention as it complicates their ability to address their responsibilities. I can understand that fully given the recent "OBUMMER SALUTED WITH A CUP IN HIS HAND  " fervor. Imagine what the subhuman trash on FNC and the usual websites would do if they were able to report on the feds acting as mediators and advocates in a minority-majority city facing a major racism and quasi-apartheid problem.
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Sep 24, 2014 17:53
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Oh hey what a surprise http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/no-charges-police-shooting-black-man-ohio-walmart-n210646 quote:A grand jury in Ohio voted Wednesday not to indict a white police officer who shot a black man to death inside a Walmart after apparently mistaking a pellet gun he was carrying for a firearm.
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Sep 24, 2014 17:56
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PostNouveau posted:Oh hey what a surprise No charges? Come on! How do you look at that situation and say "nope, the cop didn't do anything he shouldn't have!"
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Sep 24, 2014 17:58
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ImAMinister posted:So since none of that meeting streamed last night, any news on the ground? Council measure to eliminate some of the excessive fines related to traffic violations and whatnot passed. I'm trying to find specifics. There was some isolated vandalism, and supposedly another beauty supply place was looted, but only a couple people were involved. Someone also tried to set fire to the ice cream shop, likely as a response to the memorial burning down. That would make a certain kind of sense, since the shop is in the old train station, and is kind of symbolic of the historic district to locals.
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Sep 24, 2014 17:59
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FAUXTON posted:No, if this was the one with the feds. They eschew media attention as it complicates their ability to address their responsibilities. I can understand that fully given the recent "OBUMMER SALUTED WITH A CUP IN I am talking about the city council meeting last night, which was mostly angry citizens vs business owners.
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Sep 24, 2014 17:59
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PostNouveau posted:Oh hey what a surprise I can't find the info, but were they at least fired? I'm guessing not since all the statements were that the police were in the right.
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Sep 24, 2014 18:00
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PostNouveau posted:Oh hey what a surprise Seriously police are only part of the problem. The entire system is totally busted when these sorts of things are allowed to occur with no penalty. Making police wear cameras isn't going to matter when judges, prosecutors, and juries think being black is a threatening action and that police inherently have people's best interests at heart. This one actually pisses me off even more that the Micheal Brown incident since there's video evidence of the guy getting murdered for nothing and even that apparently isn't enough. I'm assuming they are using the idiot's emergency call as reasonable belief that the victim was "aggressive" in order to make sure the cops in question have an excuse and can get by unscathed. If that is the case, that dude should be charged with homicide by cop. Eggplant Squire fucked around with this message at 18:07 on Sep 24, 2014 |
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Sep 24, 2014 18:00
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OhNoLookOutRUN posted:Council measure to eliminate some of the excessive fines related to traffic violations and whatnot passed. I'm trying to find specifics. There was some isolated vandalism, and supposedly another beauty supply place was looted, but only a couple people were involved. Someone also tried to set fire to the ice cream shop, likely as a response to the memorial burning down. That would make a certain kind of sense, since the shop is in the old train station, and is kind of symbolic of the historic district to locals. They're getting really pissed off about the protestors blocking traffic and the vandalism/roughing people up. I foresee a conflict in the future.
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Sep 24, 2014 18:01
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LorneReams posted:I can't find the info, but were they at least fired? I'm guessing not since all the statements were that the police were in the right. You're new to this if you think the cops get fired over stuff like this.
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Sep 24, 2014 18:04
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OhNoLookOutRUN posted:Council measure to eliminate some of the excessive fines related to traffic violations and whatnot passed. I'm trying to find specifics. There was some isolated vandalism, and supposedly another beauty supply place was looted, but only a couple people were involved. Someone also tried to set fire to the ice cream shop, likely as a response to the memorial burning down. That would make a certain kind of sense, since the shop is in the old train station, and is kind of symbolic of the historic district to locals. Neo Duckberg posted:They're getting really pissed off about the protestors blocking traffic and the vandalism/roughing people up. I foresee a conflict in the future. Thanks for keeping us informed. Keep up the good work. Glad to hear about the traffic decision.
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Sep 24, 2014 18:07
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theflyingorc posted:No charges? Come on! How do you look at that situation and say "nope, the cop didn't do anything he shouldn't have!" People keep saying that a decent prosecutor can indict anyone they drat well please, so I'd have to lay this one at the prosecutor's feet. Perhaps they brought it to the grand jury to appease the public but then half-assed it so as not to piss off the police union?
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Sep 24, 2014 18:11
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Christ, the statement from the grand jury sounds like something out of a book warning us about a future totalitarian state with an absurd scenario. "Based on the information the responding officers had and Mr. Crawford’s failure to comply with the responding officers orders, the officers did what they were trained to do to protect the public" We have to protect the public by killing non-violent people. I was right they were using the bullshit call as an excuse to go in guns blazing. I'd love to see the make up of that grand jury.
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Sep 24, 2014 18:11
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Radish posted:Christ, the statement from the grand jury sounds like something out of a book warning us about a future totalitarian state with an absurd scenario. Jesus, where did they even get that kind of language from? There's no defense at a grand jury hearing, right?
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Sep 24, 2014 18:12
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PostNouveau posted:Jesus, where did they even get that kind of language from? There's no defense at a grand jury hearing, right? That language comes from the DA's office, you know the ones who were supposedly running the prosecution. Correct there's normally no defense.
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Sep 24, 2014 18:16
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Reminder that the tapes showed that he didn't appear to react to the police in any way, shape, or form, meaning that either they gave no warning or he literally didn't hear them. It's very possible that the first sign he had that there was a problem was when he felt the bullet impact. This is crazy, I hope there's some public outcry. There's no way there wouldn't be if it were some 15 year old white kid.
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Sep 24, 2014 18:19
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theflyingorc posted:Reminder that the tapes showed that he didn't appear to react to the police in any way, shape, or form, meaning that either they gave no warning or he literally didn't hear them. It's very possible that the first sign he had that there was a problem was when he felt the bullet impact. Reading the comments (I know...) is beyond frustrating. Tons of idiots buying into the "he was pointing it at children!! Then he willfully didn't drop it when police ordered him" story. Even the pathetic "well it's a tragedy but I can't blame the cops they were acting on bad information..." people piss me off; it's possible they are worse. If a white girl was standing at a store and randomly killed by people acting on the authority of the government there would be none of this benefit of the doubt trash from people that are sad but understand that there just was no other option than to kill him. Eggplant Squire fucked around with this message at 18:30 on Sep 24, 2014 |
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Sep 24, 2014 18:27
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theflyingorc posted:This is crazy, I hope there's some public outcry. There's no way there wouldn't be if it were some 15 year old white kid. http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/07/cop_who_shot_killed_13-year-ol.html I remember this, and thought it was nuts. quote:The cop shot multiple times. The boy died. This is part of the problem!
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Sep 24, 2014 18:28
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