A second town hall meeting was held in Ferguson on Tuesday night and again it was limited to Ferguson residents and closed to the media.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch journalist Josh Renaud is a Ferguson resident. As he did last week, Renaud attended Tuesday’s meeting, which focused on communication to and from city leaders. Renaud tweeted about the meeting after it ended.
Waiting in line for next #Ferguson town hall meeting. pic.twitter.com/KYL9w1CLzT
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) September 30, 2014
I attended tonight's town hall meeting as a Ferguson resident. Here are a few things that stood out to me.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
Like last week, tonight's #Ferguson town hall meetings were open only to residents. Everyone had to show ID at the door.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
Several speakers complained that while residents had to show IDs, the policemen checking those IDs were not wearing name tags.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
One bit of news: Ferguson Farmers Market has closed early for season. The indoor winter market at St. Stephens might begin Oct. 18.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
Town hall theme was communication. Many residents suggested ways city could improve how it disseminates info, also bemoaned city's website.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
Councilmembers responded later that some site problems were due to hacking, but that city was working to address problems.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
Many speakers stressed need for dialogue among races, and for engagement between protesters and residents who fear the protesters.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
Several protesters, white and black, complained of police, armed to the teeth, arresting protesters who were peaceful and had done nothing.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
They also pointed to white racism. "I have never seen so many white middle fingers in my life," said one protester.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
A black resident later echoed this: some whites still feel they are superior to blacks; but there are, and have always been, some who care.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
Councilmembers embraced call for dialogue: if such conversations had begun years earlier, perhaps today's tensions could have been avoided.
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014
Future town halls will address racism, tough topics. Councilman urged residents to be ready. "The deeper conversations are about to happen."
— Josh Renaud (@Kirkman) October 1, 2014