Respite

Ferguson Cleans Up for Thanksgiving

More than 100 attend ecumenical service.

Ferguson-area residents came out in a show of support Thursday to clean up debris, spruce up buildings, and celebrate Thanksgiving after days of violence that erupted in response to a grand jury’s decision to not indict Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. About 60 businessese were burned, looted, or vandalized during the outburst. There were no visible signs of demonstrations Thursday, although National Guard soldiers remained at their command post on the edge of Ferguson. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon joined them for a Thanksgiving dinner. More than 100 people, including some from across the county, participated in an ecumenical service with pastors from Wellspring and St. Stephen’s & the Vine Church, whose congregation is predominantly white. The service was followed by a holiday meal.