St. Louis churches to offer sanctuary when grand jury decision announced

[annm4peace]

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/11/23/churches-fergusonprotest.html


FERGUSON, Mo. — As the St. Louis region warily awaits a grand jury’s decision on whether to indict a white police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teen in the suburban community of Ferguson, churches are trying to offer some comfort by promising to open as 24-hour sanctuaries when the decision is announced — which many fear will ignite widespread unrest. Major protests raged in Ferguson for weeks after the shooting, and some turned violent.

More than 15 churches have pledged to be safe spaces for protesters and congregation members alike. Many will offer food, water, phone chargers, medical supplies and counseling.

The Greater St. Mark Family Church in Ferguson became involved with protest groups when it was asked to hold a prayer rally for 18-year-old Michael Brown, just a few days after he was killed. The death ignited weeks of unrest that occasionally turned violent in Ferguson as protesters and police clashed. Vandals burned a convenience store and some storefronts were looted.

“I thought [our participation] would only be one day — it’s evolved into months,” said the Rev. Tommie L. Pierson, pastor of the Greater St. Mark Family Church. He said he will be ready to lead prayers and offer support to those who walk into the church, a couple of miles from where Brown was killed.

“There are times in our lives when we face new challenges, and this is one of those times,” Pierson said Sunday in his sermon.