Items

Explore individual items gathered for collections and exhibits centered around particular themes, people, places, or events.

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  Organization for Black Struggle Newsletter, December 1981

  The first issue of the newsletter for the Organization for Black Struggle.
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  National Day Against Police Brutality, 1998

  The Organization for Black Struggle has continuously organized resistance against police brutality with the goal of ending the armed occupation of police in the Black community. On October 22, 1998, OBS helped to organize the first National Day Against Police Brutality.
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  National Day Against Police Brutality, 1998

  On October 22, 1998, the Organization for Black Struggle helped to organize the first National Day Against Police Brutality. Prince Carter, holding sign, is the uncle of Garland Carter, murdered by St. Louis police in 1996.
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  National Day Against Police Brutality, 1998

  The fight against police violence is one of the pillars of the Organization for Black Struggle. On October 22, 1998, OBS helped to organize the first National Day Against Police Brutality with the goal of honoring the ‘Stolen Lives’ lost to police violence.
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  Marilyn Banks Rally, 1983

  A rally for Marilyn Banks, who was murdered by Officer Joseph Ferrario in 1983.
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  Marilyn Banks Rally, 1983

  Marilyn Banks Rally, 1983.
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  Marilyn Banks Rally, 1983

  Marilyn Banks Rally, 1983.
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  Behind These Walls News Bulletin, April 1987

  Behind These Walls was a news bulletin created and distributed from inside the Missouri State Penitentiary. A Luta Continua, The Struggle Continues.
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  The Black United Front Anti-Apartheid Rally, 1985

  The Black United Front and the Organization for Black Struggle organized this anti-apartheid rally in 1985. The demonstration protested South Africa's system of racial segregation and called on the U.S. government to enact strict economic sanctions against the regime.
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  The Black United Front Anti-Apartheid Rally,1985

  The Black United Front and the Organization for Black Struggle organized this anti-apartheid rally in 1985. This event was part of a larger, nationwide wave of activism led by the Free South Africa Movement and the Congressional Black Caucus to pressure American universities and corporations to cut ties with South Africa. These sanctions ultimately became law with the passage of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act in 1986.
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  CAPCR Event for Marilyn Banks

  On July 17, 1983, Officer Joseph Ferrario fired at a fleeing juvenile suspect, missed, and fatally struck Marilyn Banks, an innocent bystander. In response, the Organization for Black Struggle formed the Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) to demand greater local control and accountability. The pressure exerted by CAPCR led to a St. Louis grand jury indictment against Ferrario. Officer Ferrario was charged with manslaughter and filing a false report.
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  CAPCR Marilyn Banks Event

  On July 17, 1983, Officer Joseph Ferrario fired at a fleeing juvenile suspect, missed, and fatally struck Marilyn Banks, an innocent bystander. In response, the Organization for Black Struggle formed the Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) to demand greater local control and accountability. The pressure exerted by CAPCR led to a St. Louis grand jury indictment against Ferrario. Officer Ferrario was charged with manslaughter and filing a false report.
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  Joseph Ferrario Trial, 1984

  On July 17, 1983, Officer Joseph Ferrario fired at a fleeing juvenile suspect, missed, and fatally struck Marilyn Banks, an innocent bystander. In response, the Organization for Black Struggle formed the Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) to demand greater local control and accountability. Due to heavy local bias and media attention in St. Louis, Ferrario's trial was moved to Kansas City where a jury acquitted him of the criminal charges. Continued pressure from CAPCR convinced the St. Louis Police Board to fire Officer Ferrario in 1987. He was found guilty of departmental rule violations for having negligently discharged a weapon, falsified a report, and mishandled evidence.
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  Joseph Ferrario Trial, 1984

  On July 17, 1983, Officer Joseph Ferrario fired at a fleeing juvenile suspect, missed, and fatally struck Marilyn Banks, an innocent bystander. In response, the Organization for Black Struggle formed the Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) to demand greater local control and accountability. Due to perceived local bias and media attention in St. Louis, Ferrario's trial was moved to Kansas City where a jury acquitted him of the criminal charges. Continued pressure from CAPCR convinced the St. Louis Police Board to fire Officer Ferrario in 1987. He was found guilty of departmental rule violations for having negligently discharged a weapon, falsified a report, and mishandled evidence.
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  Youth Council for Positive Development and the Organization for Black Struggle 45th Commemorative Edition, Part 1, 2025

  Youth Council for Positive Development and the Organization for Black Struggle 45th Commemorative Edition, Part 1, 2025.
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  Youth Council for Positive Development and the Organization for Black Struggle 45th Commemorative Edition, Part 2, 2025

  Youth Council for Positive Development and the Organization for Black Struggle 45th Commemorative Edition, Part 2, 2025.
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  Ellen Reasonover Homecoming

  Ellen Reasonover was OBS's first wrongful conviction campaign. Ellen Reasonover was a Black woman who was unjustly convicted of robbery and murder in 1983. She was sentenced to serve a 50-year prison sentence for a crime she did not commit. OBS engaged in a long-term campaign to educate the public about the inherent flaws in the criminal justice system and to mobilize support for cases like Ellen's. This included fundraisers, community forums, protests. In 1999, Judge Jean Hamilton overturned Ellen's conviction. OBS organized a homecoming party and subsequent interviews.
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  Ellen Reasonover Wrongful Conviction Campaign

  Ellen Reasonover was OBS's first wrongful conviction campaign. Ellen Reasonover was a Black woman who was unjustly convicted of robbery and murder in 1983. She was sentenced to serve a 50-year prison sentence for a crime she did not commit. OBS engaged in a long-term campaign to educate the public about the inherent flaws in the criminal justice system and to mobilize support for cases like Ellen's. This included fundraisers, community forums, protests. In 1999, Judge Jean Hamilton overturned Ellen's conviction. OBS organized a homecoming party and subsequent interviews.
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  Benefit Concert for Ellen Reasonover

  Ellen Reasonover was OBS's first wrongful conviction campaign. Ellen Reasonover was a Black woman who was unjustly convicted of robbery and murder in 1983. She was sentenced to serve a 50-year prison sentence for a crime she did not commit. OBS engaged in a long-term campaign to educate the public about the inherent flaws in the criminal justice system and to mobilize support for cases like Ellen's. This included fundraisers, community forums, protests. In 1999, Judge Jean Hamilton overturned Ellen's conviction. OBS organized a homecoming party and subsequent interviews.
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  BOLO Notice for Joseph Ferrario

  On July 17, 1983, Officer Joseph Ferrario fired at a fleeing juvenile suspect, missed, and fatally struck Marilyn Banks, an innocent bystander. In response, the Organization for Black Struggle formed the Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression (CAPCR) to demand greater local control and accountability. This BOLO flyer of Joseph Ferrario was created and distributed by OBS as part of the protest activities aimed at ensuring police accountability and finding justice for Marilyn Banks.
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  A Decade of Struggle - Forward Still, 1980-1990

  A Decade of Struggle - Forward Still, The Making of a Grassroots Organization, 1980 - 1990. This document is a publication celebrating of the first ten years of the Organization for Black Struggle.
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  OBS: 1980-2000, 20 Years of Struggle

  This document is a publication celebrating of the first twenty years of the Organization for Black Struggle.
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  Ellen Reasonover Freed

  Ellen Reasonover was OBS's first wrongful conviction campaign. Ellen Reasonover was a Black woman who was unjustly convicted of robbery and murder in 1983. She was sentenced to serve a 50-year prison sentence for a crime she did not commit. OBS engaged in a long-term campaign to educate the public about the inherent flaws in the criminal justice system and to mobilize support for cases like Ellen's. This included fundraisers, community forums, protests. In 1999, Judge Jean Hamilton overturned Ellen's conviction. OBS organized a homecoming party and subsequent interviews.
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  Demonstration for Ellen Reasonover

  Demonstration by Ellen Reasonover supporters outside Buzz Westfall's campaign office. Westfall was the prosecuting attorney for Ellen Reasonover's trial.
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  Death Penalty Protest, 1999

  The year 1999 was a focal point for capital punishment opposition in the United States. In St. Louis, the Organization for Black Struggle adopted the Black Freedom Agenda, which explicitly demanded the abolition of the death penalty. OBS actively protested capital punishment alongside broader movements against systemic racism and police brutality. Their advocacy in 1999 specifically targeted the race and class biases embedded in Missouri's justice system.