Justice Upside Down in Ferguson, Mo., Say Coalition in Weekend Protest Marches

 

Thousands of people gathered for a Day of Action in Ferguson, Mo. Demonstrators from CWA, the AFL-CIO, Coalition of Black Trade Unions, and other unions joined civil rights community groups across Missouri in the continuing protest of the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown and calling for economic, racial and social justice.

 

CWA members and a coalition of youth, labor and community groups gathered in St. Louis, Mo., over the weekend to march for economic, racial and social justice in continuing protests over the August 9, 2014 police shooting of Ferguson, Mo. teenager Michael Brown.

Local 6355 Lead Organizer Mark Esters, who is a vice president of the St. Louis Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, addressed the more than 3,000 people who turned out for the march from the St. Louis City Hall to the Gateway Arch in Downtown St. Louis.

"We Salute and give praise to youth who put their lives on the front line to expose racial, social and economic injustices in Ferguson for the whole world to see," Esters said. "We are here today to let you know you are not standing alone. CWA members and the national AFL-CIO reach out in support of changing policies that disenfranchise our communities."

CWA Local 6355 President Bradley Harmon said many members of the Local live in Ferguson and they are surprised Wilson remains on the job, on the payroll and has not faced any disciplinary action from the Ferguson Police Department over the shooting.

"We know how due process works," Harmon said. "It should have applied to Michael Brown. He should not have been shot down in the street like he was. Since Police Officer Darren Wilson killed him in August, we have had CWA members who live in Ferguson tear gassed and sent to jail for protesting the shooting. It is not right. It's totally upside down who gets justice and who gets punished."