In the wake of a grand jury verdict to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, mothers continued their call for justice on behalf of Michael Brown. The unarmed black teen was fatally shot by Wilson, a white police officer, on August 9.
Mother’s March for Justice met Sunday evening on the three-month anniversary of Brown’s death at Ward Chapel AME Church for an “anointing service.” The service was held in spiritual preparation of a grand jury verdict that could come as early as Nov. 16. Many are expecting weeks of continued civil unrest to reignite if Wilson is not indicted.
Rev. Traci Blackmon, pastor of Christ the King UCC, looked out at a small diverse gathering of mostly women and asked, “Why are we here?”
Blackmon helped organize the service along with Rev. Karen Anderson, (Ward Chapel AME), Rev. Rebecca Ragland (Episcopal Church of Holy Communion) and Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, a professor at Eden Seminary.
“We’re here for the same reason we gathered at the courthouse,” Blackmon said. “We’re here for the same reason we gathered for a candlelight vigil.”
Blackmon said they were there for justice.
Mother’s March for Justice held a candlelight vigil at the St. Louis County Justice Center in Clayton on Nov. 1 to honor those who have lost their lives too soon to violence. There have been 123 homicides in St. Louis city alone so for this year – up from 95 in 2013, according to St. Louis city police.
Mothers from across the country marched last month at the Justice Center, calling for an end to all violence throughout the region. Marching with the women that day was Muhatma Ghandi’s grandson, Dr. Arun Ghandi, who said it was time for women to take leadership. There is strength in numbers, Blackmon said —stating that they gathered to reclaim their power by asserting that all lives matter.
Gospel music, Scripture readings, prayer, reflection, and a praise dance performance punctuated the service. Drawing from Scripture, Rev. Anderson preached about a blind man who begged along the side of a street. A man who, like Ferguson protestors, was tired of being marginalized by society and living in a place of isolation, she said.
“They’re saying, ‘Look at us!’ We have something to contribute. We have hopes and dreams,” Anderson said. “See us as you see your own.”
When the blind beggar man got tired and screamed out, she said he was told by those in positions of power to shut up.
“Just like they’re telling our children, ‘shut up!’” she said. “I’m so proud that these young people have decided that they will not stop shouting.”
She believes God is calling on those who “got comfortable” to lift their voices collectively and shout until the walls of racism and disenfranchisement come down. She said it was time for mothers to stand with their children.
“We have to be on the streets with our babies,” said Rabbi Susan Talve, of Central Reform Congregation.
Talve said she stood with protestors because the death of Michael Brown was a tipping point for her and others to say enough racial profiling of young black men by St. Louis police. Their lives should not be at risk because they are black or brown, she said.
Protests have gone on for more than 90 days. Despite looming cold weather, Blackmon anticipates that protestors will continue to take to the streets. There was a collection of donated hand-made and new hats, scarves and gloves as an offering to protestors on the frontlines. She prayed that the garments become more than instruments of warmth, but tangible reminders to protestors that they are not alone.
“We can all make a difference,” Blackmon said
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