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| Two black candidates elected to Ferguson city council | Two black candidates elected to Ferguson city council |
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| Two black candidates were among three people elected to the Ferguson city council, tripling African American representation in the St Louis suburb. Poor race relations have been a focal point there since the August shooting of an 18-year-old black man by a white police officer. | Two black candidates were among three people elected to the Ferguson city council, tripling African American representation in the St Louis suburb. Poor race relations have been a focal point there since the August shooting of an 18-year-old black man by a white police officer. |
| The election means that half of the six-member city council in Ferguson, a town where two-thirds of the 21,000 residents are black, will now be African American. The lone black incumbent councilman was not up for re-election. The mayor, who could break any tie votes, is white. | The election means that half of the six-member city council in Ferguson, a town where two-thirds of the 21,000 residents are black, will now be African American. The lone black incumbent councilman was not up for re-election. The mayor, who could break any tie votes, is white. |
| Voter turnout increased substantially from the previous election following a strong get-out-the-vote effort from unions and other national organisations. The town that drew only 12.3% of registered voters last April had 29.4% turnout on Tuesday, according to the St Louis County board of elections. That was about double the overall turnout in St Louis County, where Ferguson is located. | Voter turnout increased substantially from the previous election following a strong get-out-the-vote effort from unions and other national organisations. The town that drew only 12.3% of registered voters last April had 29.4% turnout on Tuesday, according to the St Louis County board of elections. That was about double the overall turnout in St Louis County, where Ferguson is located. |
| Unofficial results showed that Wesley Bell defeated another black candidate to win in the 3rd Ward. Ella Jones defeated another black candidate and two white candidates in the 1st Ward. Brian Fletcher, a former mayor who is white, won a 2nd Ward race against another white candidate. | Unofficial results showed that Wesley Bell defeated another black candidate to win in the 3rd Ward. Ella Jones defeated another black candidate and two white candidates in the 1st Ward. Brian Fletcher, a former mayor who is white, won a 2nd Ward race against another white candidate. |
| “This community came out in record numbers to make sure our voices were heard,” said councilman-elect Bell. “When you have a community engaged, the sky is the limit.” | “This community came out in record numbers to make sure our voices were heard,” said councilman-elect Bell. “When you have a community engaged, the sky is the limit.” |
| He described it as part of a healing and rebuilding process. | He described it as part of a healing and rebuilding process. |
| It was the first municipal election in Ferguson since officer Darren Wilson fatally shot the black, unarmed 18-year-old, Michael Brown, on 9 August. The shooting sparked sometimes violent protests in the St Louis area, and spawned a national “Black Lives Matter” movement to press for change in how police deal with local minorities. A St Louis County grand jury decided not to indict Wilson on any charges related to Brown’s killing. | It was the first municipal election in Ferguson since officer Darren Wilson fatally shot the black, unarmed 18-year-old, Michael Brown, on 9 August. The shooting sparked sometimes violent protests in the St Louis area, and spawned a national “Black Lives Matter” movement to press for change in how police deal with local minorities. A St Louis County grand jury decided not to indict Wilson on any charges related to Brown’s killing. |
| It also prompted a review by the US Justice Department, which decided not to prosecute Wilson, who resigned in November. But the federal department released a scathing report blasting the city for racial bias and profiling in the police department and a profit-driven municipal court system. Several city officials resigned following the review, including the city manager, police chief and municipal judge. The municipal court clerk was fired for racist emails. | It also prompted a review by the US Justice Department, which decided not to prosecute Wilson, who resigned in November. But the federal department released a scathing report blasting the city for racial bias and profiling in the police department and a profit-driven municipal court system. Several city officials resigned following the review, including the city manager, police chief and municipal judge. The municipal court clerk was fired for racist emails. |
| The new city council will be tasked with approving hiring of the replacements. The scrutiny in the wake of the shooting also found that the city had a mostly white police force. | The new city council will be tasked with approving hiring of the replacements. The scrutiny in the wake of the shooting also found that the city had a mostly white police force. |
| A strong push was made after the shooting to register more black voters last year, but just 562 new voters were added to the rolls. In recent weeks, the focus has been on getting those who are registered to vote to show up and cast their ballot. | A strong push was made after the shooting to register more black voters last year, but just 562 new voters were added to the rolls. In recent weeks, the focus has been on getting those who are registered to vote to show up and cast their ballot. |
| The high turnout came despite stormy weather, including lightning and heavy rain. | |
| Voting at the First Presbyterian Church of Ferguson, Charrolynn Washington said the election is where real change will occur. | |
| “As much change is needed here in Ferguson, this is where we begin – not out there in the streets, doing what they were doing – but, right here,” she said. “They need to be voting and putting people in position to make the change and make the decisions that need to be made.” | “As much change is needed here in Ferguson, this is where we begin – not out there in the streets, doing what they were doing – but, right here,” she said. “They need to be voting and putting people in position to make the change and make the decisions that need to be made.” |