Call for UU presence in St. Louis for the 1 year anniversary of Michael Brown's murder
The extrajudicial killing of Michael Brown on August 9, 2014 sparked a cry from Ferguson, Missouri that has not relented. Protests have continued daily across the greater St. Louis metro region ever since August 10.
As we approach the 1 year anniversary of Mike Brown's death, Unitarian Universalist leadership in St. Louis joins the local Action Council, Don’t Shoot Coalition and Movement community in a call for people of faith and conscience to join us here for the weekend of August 7-10, 2015. We are calling for UUs to Show Up for Ferguson.
The weekend will kick off Friday evening with a UU rally at one of the local congregations. This rally will include orientation for the weekend's events and all who plan to participate must attend. Saturday we will join the “I Am Mike Brown” march, dressed in white t-shirts, khakis and baseball caps. The local organizers are calling for all who attend to dress as Mike Brown was dressed when he was killed, we will humbly comply. Sunday will be a day for worship and additional opportunities to support the local Movement community (yellow Standing on the Side of Love shirts would be appropriate for these events). Monday is direct action day. There will be specific requests about how we show up for this from our community partners, so please be sure to stay tuned for these instructions.
If you are interested in Showing Up for Ferguson in August, please register here. Once you register make your housing and travel plans. Note that there will be VERY LIMITED home hospitality available.
We will be releasing information through Standing on the Side of Love, the Mid America Region, UUMA Connect and the St. Louis Standing on the Side of Love Facebook page.
Not able to come to St. Louis for this weekend? Consider attending a solidarity event in your area. If there aren’t any currently planned, perhaps you and your UU congregation might consider planning one. Events nation-wide can be found on the Ferguson National Response Network here, and if you plan a new event please post it there so others can join you and the world will know of your solidarity.
If you have questions about the weekend Rev. Julie Taylor is the local contact and can be reached at WokeUUp@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you in St. Louis in August.
In service,
Rev. Julie Taylor
on behalf of the local UU congregations