Friends,
At the Fellowship of Reconciliation, a cornerstone of our mission is seeking an end to militarization, violence, and the root causes of violence.
And so, in the days after Michael Brown's murder in Ferguson, Missouri, FOR dispatched Freeman Fellow Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, who attended high school in St. Louis, who served there as a youth pastor working with gangs, and whose nephew still lives in Ferguson. Rev. Sekou returned home to Ferguson to support local leadership in an active nonviolent response to the tragedy and the conditions that contributed to it.
There is no doubt the conditions contributing to Mike Brown's murder include the long-standing racial and economic injustice in this community and in our country. Certainly, racial oppression was made visible in the streets of Ferguson last month, as well as the harsh reality that local police forces have been repeatedly given surplus military-grade weaponry and vehicles, often with little or no training.
These elements of a culture of violence combined in an unholy moment, resulting in the end of life on this earth for a young man, a son, a brother, a friend.
Rev. Sekou was there, representing FOR, when Michael Brown was laid to rest, and continues in Ferguson as local leaders, activists, and citizens seek justice, change, and ultimately reconciliation.
 Donate to FOR today and your tax-deductible contribution will help support this work for racial justice, on the ground in Ferguson and around the country through our grassroots chapters and affiliates.
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FOR National Council member Rev. Jeff Hood and FOR Fellow Rev. Osagyefo Sekou in Ferguson.
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As a Fellow and member of FOR, Rev. Sekou carries with him the heritage of those who stand for justice as a necessary step in the process of reconciliation. On Democracy Now!, MSNBC (twice) and other news outlets, Rev. Sekou has given vivid, compelling testimony about the violence on the ground and the many examples of restraint, solidarity, and hope that were not covered by much of the media.
Rev. Sekou was joined by other FOR folks, including National Council member Rev. Jeff Hood, who counseled young activists reeling from the pain of Mike Brown's death, and who were beyond frustrated with an environment that lacked mutual respect. Rev. Hood also raised the need for active resistance to injustice grounded in love to guide our goals in response to Ferguson.
Though the media has largely departed and the curfews have lifted, the need for long-term reconciliation remains.
The push for change is now mostly seen on alternative media and social media, like the one at right, from last week, showing Rev. Sekou and other clergy holding space for a peaceful protest by other activists.
Our nation has been reminded through the tragedy of Michael Brown's death that we still have much work to do before true racial justice is a reality. And we have seen how 12 years of war in the Middle East is turning our communities into battle-ready zones and our local police into soldiers.
As a member of FOR, you know that our long-term commitment has been and will always be one of love and compassion, peace with justice, and the daily work of reconciliation. Through chapters and affiliates, members and partners all over the country, the work continues.
Ways to get involved
In the crisis, FOR assisted our Mid-Missouri chapter on getting the word out about a protest addressing Brown's murder, the impending Sept. 10 execution of Earl Ringo, and the militarization of law enforcement agencies. Mid-Missouri FOR will continue its work addressing the institutional racism endemic in capital punishment. If you are in and around Columbia, join them!
 If you're elsewhere, simply reply to this email to inquire about local FOR chapters near you. If one doesn't exist, we'd be happy to assist you in starting one, or finding others who could work with you in starting a chapter.
Sign the Roots Action petition to stop the flow of surplus military equipment to local communities, which will be highly visible starting tomorrow (Sept. 4-8) at the national Urban Shield event in Oakland, California that combines SWAT team training and a global weapons exposition.
Continue to stay informed through pieces that address the intersectional dynamics of Mike Brown's shooting and Ferguson like this one from ColorLines.
Give to FOR with a tax-deductible donation. Your contribution, no matter how small, will help us continue to support the critical work of folks like FOR Fellow Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, as they work in their own communities and offer solidarity and nonviolent action to local leaders in other communities in times of crisis.
Many thanks for all you do. Together, we can bring a true and lasting peace.
In solidarity,
Rev. Kristin Stoneking
Executive Director
Fellowship of Reconciliation
P.S. An op-ed in the Kansas City Star noted that the media coverage of Michael Brown's murder and Ferguson was "reminiscent of traditional war coverage that centers on the 'action,' who bombed whom, while marginalizing the underlying causes of the conflict and the search for peace." The Star's news search found two stories under "Ferguson, Missouri and peaceful solutions," and zero for "Ferguson, Missouri and finding peace." Our own search on "Ferguson and reconciliation" found just one such essay. |
