St. Louis benefited from the 2001-04 economic boycott of Cincinnati backed by that city’s African-American community.
Many city residents and local activists are now preparing to put a price tag on Mayor Francis G. Slay’s indifference to the black community through a proposed economic boycott of St. Louis.
Slay’s unprecedented demotion of Fire Chief Sherman George, the suspicious and controversial promotion of Slay confidant Battalion Chief Dennis Jenkerson as George’s replacement and the mayor’s apparent contempt for black leadership has left black area residents enraged and in the mood to take action.
The effort to recall Slay is continuing, as part of Citizens to Support Fire Chief George’s political strategy. This also includes blocking “any legislation or initiatives being pushed by Mayor Slay including a (possible) sales tax initiative” on the Feb. 5 ballot on Missouri Primary day, according to a plan shared with the American.
Now, a “direct action” plan also is being put into motion which could include an economic boycott of the city.
The Rev. Douglas Parham said during a Thanksgiving Eve press conference, “We do not want to hurt the city. But we feel Mayor Slay has already hurt the city and wounded it very deeply. We must respond to heal the city.”
The proposed economic boycott plan would include:
— Issuing letters alerting celebrities and conventioneers of the possible economic boycott, and then confirmation when a boycott is underway.
— Portraying racial injustice of the Slay administration to national organizations, media and celebrities as a moral issue, not a political one.
Among the demands to avoid a boycott are:
— Major personnel changes in mayoral administration, including the firing of Chief of Staff Jeff Rainford and demotion of Public Safety Director Charles Bryson.
— Equitable black representation in management personnel for all City departments, including the mayor’s office.
— Establishment of minority workforce goals and programs for City and private-sector construction projects.
— Establishment of a loan fund to help grow capacity of minority firms.
The stated goal of the boycott would be “a new mayoral administration that is more respectful to and inclusive of the city’s 53 percent African-American population.”
“We will boycott this city if our demands aren’t met,” said Eric Vickers of Citizens to Support Fire Chief George.
“We are requesting a meeting with (RCGA President) Dick Fleming and other civic leaders.”
State Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, who has been active in the recall effort, said the boycott will have even wider appeal in the community.
“I know a lot of clergy were apprehensive about getting involved in the recall effort, because that’s political and they have to protect their church’s non-profit status,” Nasheed said.
“The boycott is not a threat to their 501c3 status.”
John Moten, Black Leadership Roundtable chair, said Wednesday that he did not know the details of the proposed boycott, but “anything that would help make things better for African Americans in this city, we would not be opposed to.”
Moten announced that the BLR is creating a Social Justice Committee to “look at issues such as the fire department and other matters.”
“This matter is not over, it is not dead,” Moten said.
“All options are on the table.”
The black economic boycott against Cincinnati cost that city an estimated $10 million over three years. Noted entertainers Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg, Spike Lee, Smokey Robinson, Wynton Marsalis, the Temptations and O’Jays were among individuals who honored the boycott.
The Progressive National Baptist National Convention was moved from Cincinnati to St. Louis, and the National Urban League and Union of Black Episcopalians also refused to hold conventions in the racially torn city.
Jim Buford, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis president, confirmed that the Urban League switched its National Convention from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh because of the economic boycott.
“This is going to be a long battle, a sustained effort. We are unified,” he said, adding that the issue is “the racism that seems to abound when it comes to black people getting things done in this city.”
Nasheed told the American that a strategic political plan is being formed. She said there will be a meeting next week between Citizens to Support Fire Chief George “and as many black elected officials who can come to see where they stand.”
“We have some real power, but we have to use,” Nasheed said. “We can’t be afraid.”
Parham had pointed words for Moten and Buford following their involvement in a meeting with Slay in the wake of George’s demotion two weeks ago.
“But there was no loss of respect,” Parham said.
“We are not separated. We stand together as a community. One thing that has not been seen in St. Louis in a very long time is a unified black community, which includes a cross section of grass-roots, political, business and clergy leaders. We would like to achieve that now.”
One of the first steps in building that coalition was Moten and Buford standing with Parham and other George supporters during the City Hall press conference.