The 2011 National Society of Black Engineers convention could be St. Louis’ first costly loss because of a possible economic boycott spurred by Mayor Francis G. Slay’s demotion of Fire Chief Sherman George and disregard for the city’s African-American community and its leaders.
Ron Morse, immediate past president of the local NSBE chapter, tells the American that a decision to move the convention would be made by the national headquarters and the board of directors.
“We will support that decision 100 percent,” Morse said.
“I can tell you in talking to people at the national office that they take civil rights and equal opportunity very seriously. It is indeed possible that it could be decided to move the convention.”
A site switch would mean 15,000 people from across the globe and hundreds of thousands of dollars would be headed to another city.
“While we would very much like the NSBE to have its convention here, we cannot be unmindful of the tremendous damage done by the mayor to our city and its predominantly African-American population,” states a letter to Carl Mack, NSBE president and CEO, signed by the Rev. Douglas Parham, chair of Citizens to Support Fire Chief George, and Eric Vickers, Boycott Committee chair.
They explained that black organizations such as NSBE have “an important role in our cause.”
“Particularly those like yours which have a reputation for standing for racial and social justice,” the letter states.
Parham said the black community also scored “a true victory” when Slay did not take part in a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton last Sunday at The Pageant. Instead, Slay attended a high-dollar fundraiser in Ladue, far from the city’s racial strife.
“Because of the threat of (picketing) by our group, Slay was either dis-invited or chose not to show up,” Parham said.
“It’s a victory. It also means that Hillary knows now – and others, including the city’s business leaders, know, too.”
Vickers said Sean Johnson of the Clinton campaign confirmed that Slay was set to offer opening remarks for Clinton’s Pageant appearance, then had a “scheduling conflict.”
“That change was absolutely because of the possible protest,” Vickers said.
The response to Slay’s actions are “picking up momentum,” according to state Rep. Jamilah Nasheed.
On a sweltering June 18 afternoon, activist Anthony Shahid led a protest involving more than 100 people – some, like Shahid, dressed in KKK robes – outside America’s Center.
The group was protesting allegedly unfair hiring practices by the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission. The target was the National Baptist Congress’ 102nd Congress of Christian Education, which attracted more than 35,000 visitors to St. Louis that week.
With a broad economic boycott looming, Shahid says, “It is the right way to go.”
“Mayor Slay and these folks don’t care until you take some of their money away. That’s the only thing that gets their attention,” Shahid said.
“They don’t care about black folks. They care about money.”
Shahid said he has “made progress” with the CVC, which is why no further protests have been held.
“But that could change,” he said.
Many African Americans disagree with Shahid’s sometimes profanity-laced tirades during protests, confrontational approach and use of historically inflammatory props such as whips, chains and KKK robes.
But many agree with him when he says, “Many of us travel throughout the country. We know that St. Louis is different. It is backwards.”
He said, “Black people get treated badly, and then we don’t do anything about it. Now, we’re doing something.”
Shahid and supporters of the Firefighters Institute for Racial Equality recently protested near City Hall. FIRE remains steadfast in its call for the return of Sherman George to the post of fire chief.
“I’m with them because they asked me to be with them,” said Shahid, who wore his KKK robes for FIRE’s press conference.
“I’m not trying to intimidate anyone. I’m trying to put it out there that St. Louis basically still has blacks in chains.”
FIRE President Addington Stewart said that Slay refuses to address his organization’s “chief complaint,” which is alleged cheating during the 2004 exam administered by EBJacobs.
Several prominent black elected officials met with Citizens to Support Fire Chief George representatives on Tuesday. Vickers said the African-American Aldermanic Caucus said it would take action against the mayor soon.
“We were told they are working on a plan to put pressure on the mayor. They will have representatives at our weekly meetings and said they will consider backing the economic boycott,” said Vickers, who attended the meeting.
Caucus Chair Terry Kennedy had not returned calls by press time.
“(The situation) is not going to go away,” Vickers said. “They realize it.”
Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed told the American “a boycott that does not disrupt the employment status of our citizens can be beneficial to bring awareness to this situation.”
He said, “I believe every effort should be made to keep an eye on the overall goals of justice, fairness, economic advancement and political representation and minimize the potential of collateral damage.”
John Moten Jr., Black Leadership Roundtable chair, said last week that his organization would not rule out supporting the economic boycott.
In a Nov. 27 statement, Moten said Slay’s actions concerning George and the hiring of his friend Battalion Chief Dennis Jenkerson over a more qualified black deputy chief “delivers a clear message that the many contributions by African Americans to the life of this city are not welcome or respected.”
Moten said, “We intend to work with individuals, groups, coalitions that are committed to determining an appropriate response to Mayor Slay.”