Ferguson Under Fire

Mike Brown's family never got justice. But his death has become a catalyst for change, exposing a systemic pattern of racism that it's African-American citizens have been forced to live with for decade. The following is the latest chapter in a  revealing narrative that is probably indicative of Black life in many municipalities across the country.

A Ferguson municipal court judge, named in a scathing U.S Justice Department report — which showed a pattern of bias in the city's police force and courts — was replaced Monday by a state judge, according to the Missouri Supreme Court.

"The Supreme Court of Missouri today transferred Judge Roy L. Richter of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, to the St. Louis County Circuit Court, where he will be assigned to hear all of Ferguson's pending and future municipal division cases," the state's highest court said in a statement. "Judge Richter will bring a fresh, disinterested perspective to this court's practices and he is able and willing to implement needed reforms," Chief Justice Mary R. Russell said.

Richter will replace Judge Ronald Brockmeyer, whose law firm released a statement Monday saying he had informed the mayor and the city of Ferguson that he was resigning.

A Department of Justice report, prompted by the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by a white police officer, was released lastweek anduncovered a culture of racial biasingthe police force.

The report also showed that racial prejudice was apparently pervasive in the court system, with black people 68 percent less likely to have their cases dismissed and far more likely to be hit with petty offenses.

Brockmeyer was specifically accused in the report of "significantly increasing court collections over the years," sentencing people to jail for failure to pay a fine and asking for at least one offense against a relative to be dropped.

"Courts are a vital part of our democracy, and our court system is built on the trust of the citizens it serves. Today's strong and appropriate actions by the Missouri Supreme Court are a solid step forward," said Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon in a statement Monday night.

The city of Ferguson's spokesperson, Jeff Small, told NBC News that the city had no comment on Brockmeyer's resignation.

PR

MIKE BROWN GETS NO JUSTICE!!!

AFRICAN-AMERICANS ACROSS AMERICA ARE PISSED! Anger, disillusionment, rage, disappointment, and shock are less impactful words that do little to describe the true nature of our feelings. But while many of us hoped against hope that Michael Browns killer, officer Darren Wilson would be charged, I cannot honestly say that I am shocked. Even when you know a punch is coming it still hurts. We are enraged. You cannot deny people justice repetitively and expect them to just take it! I don't condone violence, nor do I condone fighting battle I have absolutely no chance of winning. But I understand.

 Violence erupted in Ferguson, Missouri last night after demonstrators learned there would be no criminal indictment of police officer Darren Wilson for the August shooting death of teen Michael Brown.

Demonstrators taunted police, shattered windows and set fire to two St. Louis County police cars. Scattered, intermittent gunfire was also reported, but it mostly disappeared by Tuesday morning.

St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said at a 1:30 a.m. CT news conference that at least a dozen buildings were burning and that he had heard at least 150 gunshots, none fired by police. A police officer was shot but not seriously hurt, Belmar said.

Police had made 29 arrests.

"I'm disappointed this evening," Belmar said. "What I've seen tonight is probably worse than the worst night we had in August."

He said protesters could not be controlled "unless we bring 10,000 policemen in here."

Scores of police officers, armed with riot gear, dispersed a crowd of about 300 with volley after volley of tear gas, pepper spray and bean bags. But not before looters plundered a Walgreen store, Family Dollar store and an Autozone outlet

A. Other protesters torched a Little Casears pizza restaurant and local beauty shop — among several buildings set ablaze that were continuing to light up the sky early Tuesday morning. Two police cars were burned.

The chaos grounded flights in and out of St. Louis' Lambert International Airport airlines until early Tuesday"to provide a safe environment for law enforcement activities, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Much of the crowd had been dispersed by about midnight. There were no other official reports of arrests or injuries. 

Today's youth are not going to take too many blows without returning the favor. What happens in the future will make the protests in Ferguson seem like NOTHING. Mark my words.

PR