What: A coalition of local organizations is hosting a “Reparations Block Party and Teach-In,” to deepen community understanding about reparations and amplify the growing call for a reparations commission. The event will feature an interactive teach-in about reparations, specifically in St. Louis City, as well as catered lunch and live music performed by Tef Poe. Congresswoman Cori Bush will provide opening remarks and the event will culminate in a conversation between community members, organizers, and Mayor Tishaura Jones. Commemorative event posters made by renowned artist Damon Davis will also be available.
When: Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 11am – 2pm
Where: Central Baptist Church, 2845 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103
To register, visit: https://bit.ly/reparationsblockparty. This is a family-friendly, no-cost event.
Use the hashtag #STLReparations, to follow the conversation on social media
Host Organizations:
Action St. Louis, American Civil Liberties Union-MO, ArchCity Defenders, Deaconess Foundation, Empower Missouri, Faith for Justice, Freedom Community Center, Homes for All, Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Organization for Black Struggle, Pro-Choice Missouri, the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center, Uhuru Solidarity Movement, and Unhoused STL.
For media availability before and during the event, please contact Angelo Vidal, Communications Fellow, ArchCity Defenders via the contact information listed below.
Background:
Over the past year, the buzz around the topic of reparations has boomed on the national level, and particularly in St. Louis, as a coalition of over 25 organizations has unified towards a common goal: calling for the establishment of a reparations commission in the City.
- In June 2022, the coalition sent a memo to the Jones’ administration.
- Sparked public dialogue about reparations on social media and in news media.
- Increased community engagement at the Juneteenth cookout, featuring distinguished guest speaker Congresswoman Cori Bush.
At Saturday’s event, organizers aim to make education about reparations accessible to the masses and to encourage community engagement with the issue. Organizers will echo the call for a commission to explore the history of race-based harms in the city; reveal the present-day manifestations of that history; and, ultimately, propose a method for directly repairing the harms that have been inflicted and preventing further injury now and in the future.
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Media Contact:
Angelo Vidal, Communications Fellow, ArchCity Defenders
(314)-861-7681
avidal@archcitydefenders.org