Volunteers a buffer between police, protesters

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

http://news.msn.com/us/volunteers-a-buffer-between-police-protesters

FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — The tall black man walked up and down West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson, Missouri, working a bullhorn, imploring protesters to behave themselves.

"All right, y'all doing good!" Malik Zulu Shabazz told one group of young men. "Just keep it peaceful. Keep it peaceful, black man!"

Shabazz isn't a police officer. He is president of Black Lawyers for Justice and former chairman of the New Black Panther Party. Those organizations and others, made up mostly of black volunteers, have taken it upon themselves to help ease tensions in Ferguson, confident the protesters are more likely to listen to them than police.

In many cases, they're right. Shabazz was gentle with some, firm with others on a recent night as he urged them to get off the streets at night, and to stay away from looting. One young man wearing a bandanna around his neck seemed primed for trouble standing near a closed restaurant until Shabazz put a hand on his shoulder and had a quiet talk. Soon, the young man nodded and walked away.

The shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer on Aug. 9 has created a volatile situation in the St. Louis suburb. Officer Darren Wilson is on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. It could be weeks before a decision is made on whether the officer will face charges.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

http://news.msn.com/us/volunteers-a-buffer-between-police-protesters

FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — The tall black man walked up and down West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson, Missouri, working a bullhorn, imploring protesters to behave themselves.

"All right, y'all doing good!" Malik Zulu Shabazz told one group of young men. "Just keep it peaceful. Keep it peaceful, black man!"

Shabazz isn't a police officer. He is president of Black Lawyers for Justice and former chairman of the New Black Panther Party. Those organizations and others, made up mostly of black volunteers, have taken it upon themselves to help ease tensions in Ferguson, confident the protesters are more likely to listen to them than police.

In many cases, they're right. Shabazz was gentle with some, firm with others on a recent night as he urged them to get off the streets at night, and to stay away from looting. One young man wearing a bandanna around his neck seemed primed for trouble standing near a closed restaurant until Shabazz put a hand on his shoulder and had a quiet talk. Soon, the young man nodded and walked away.

The shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer on Aug. 9 has created a volatile situation in the St. Louis suburb. Officer Darren Wilson is on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. It could be weeks before a decision is made on whether the officer will face charges.

I saw that on TV. Several local people doing that. we need a lot more of that .

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I saw that on TV. Several local people doing that. we need a lot more of that .

I want to do it, but I can't. We've been directed to stay out of the area by the government. Can't even go home...

[Darnell 8,478]

I miss the days of positive black role models actually making a difference.

Bring em back, so says me.

[Pooky 3,355]

This is what I call a positive step.