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Community Grieves at Michael Brown's Funeral Today; What Next Steps to Heal?; Dozens of Aftershocks Rock North California; Explosion Rocks Illinois Metal Recycling Plant; U.S. Prepared to Strike ISIS in Syria
Aired August 25, 2014 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks. Have a great day, guys. NEWSROOM starts now.
(MUSIC)
COSTELLO: And good morning, I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me.
This morning, a community grieves, and the nation pauses. Next hour, thousands of people will fill the St. Louis church for the funeral of Michael Brown, the unarmed African-American teenager who was killed by a white police officer.
Two weeks after violent protests erupted in his hometown of Ferguson, Missouri, the calls for answers and possibly justice are now calmer. Hundreds gathered last night at St. Louis University to light candles and join in prayer. But racial tensions remain high, and divisions are deep. Support is growing for the police officer, Darren Wilson, who is under investigation by a grand jury. At this rally, supporters say they've raised about $400,000.
And the controversy casts long shadows over the annual police fest in St. Louis. At this year's gathering, a number of signs called attention to African-Americans killed by police. Michael Brown's father spoke to the crowd and pleaded for no protests on the day his son will be buried.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL BROWN, SR., FATHER OF SLAIN TEENAGER: All I want is peace while my son is being laid to rest. Can you please, please, take a day of silence so I can -- so we can lay our son to rest. Please. That's all I ask.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: CNN's correspondents, guests, and analysts are on hand to walk us through the somber gathering. But let's begin our coverage in Ferguson with Don Lemon. Good morning, Don.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR, "CNN TONIGHT": Good morning, Carol. This is a day I'm sure that no mother can even imagine having. We're here in St. Louis where Michael Brown is about to be laid to rest. His mother and father, sadly, putting him in the ground today. And we are right here out front of the Friendly Temple in St. Louis, where people are starting to gather. There's going to be thousands here today. I've had the chance to speak with a number of them, but, more importantly, I had the chance to speak with Michael Brown's mother, who sat down with me and also with the mother of Trayvon Martin and Sean Bell, who was shot by New York City police and killed back in 2006.
It is really a day of mourning here. And as you heard the parents say, they want -- the dad at least saying they want peace and quiet today. And I know that they want the opportunity just to be able to lay their son to rest in peace and quiet with no negativity and really no uproar coming from the community, none of the violent protests that happened here.
Earlier, just a short time ago, the attorney for the Brown family spoke here on CNN about what today is like and what it has been like for the family.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN CRUMP, ATTORNEY FOR MICHAEL BROWN'S FAMILY: This is the day when it really sets in, when you put your child in the ground, and you realize that he's not coming back ever again. And I think so many people are coming to support this family because he has become symbolic of a lot of pain and frustration that people of color all around America know all too well when it comes to senseless gun violence and police brutality.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: A lot of pain and suffering from people all over America, but not nearly the pain and suffering that one family is dealing with today. But, Carol, they do have a lot of support. And that's one good thing, something they can hold on it at least right now.
COSTELLO: Oh yes, it's going to be a very tough day for the parents. Don, stay with us.
Joining us, L.Z. Granderson, CNN commentator, he also writes for ESPN. Kevin Powell is an activist, writer, and public speaker. And the Reverend Starsky Wilson is a pastor at St. John's United Church of Christ in St. Louis. And welcome to all of you.
I wanted to ask, Reverend Wilson, you delivered a sermon yesterday entitled "Maintaining A Movement". Do you feel in some way Michael Brown's funeral will transcend his death?
REV. STARSKY WILSON, PASTOR, ST. JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH: Thank you for having me today. I think Michael Brown's funeral connect the dots to Sean Bell, to Trayvon Martin, to Jordan Davis, and all of those who have been lost. And one of the things that we must remember at this time, while we pause today to mourn the loss of life of one of God's children who's lost his life too soon and grieve with the mother and father who should not have to put their son in the ground, that is out of the order of nature, we must also connect the dots and make sure that we sustain the kind of energy that we have now for the long-term work that will be required to address the systems that created the environment that produced Sean Bells, that produced Mike Browns, that produced Trayvon Martins. And those systems have to do with everything from academics to recreation to policing in our communities.
And so we must take the time to reflect on how Mike Brown's story connects with our own stories, because that personal connection will be what sustains us for the long haul.
COSTELLO: And, L.Z. this service will include pastors and lawyers, politicians and celebrities. Do all of these people talking in one voice symbolize what needs to happen to force change?
L.Z. GRANDERSON, CNN COMMENTATOR: It's a start. You know, I spent time talking to some of the people who were planning on attending today's funeral. And one of the things that I heard repeatedly of about sustaining this movement, and what that meant for them was voting. It was about, once you look at the demographics of the politicians of Ferguson, you realize that this is a microcosm of a much larger problem.
It's about whether or not the black community is using what they can in order to make thing better for itself. And part of that is voting. So hopefully all the voices you are hearing in support of Michael Brown and all the other men who have been gunned down unarmed leads to a more conscious voting. Not just in a general election for President Obama, but in your municipalities, midterm elections. All of these matter, and the policies that are set during these times also matter. So hopefully that raises that consciousness.
COSTELLO: And, Kevin, when the funeral is over, the waiting of course begins. The grand jury likely won't decide on an indictment until October. What happens in the meantime, do you suppose?
KEVIN POWELL, ACTIVIST, WRITER, PUBLIC SPEAKER: Well, it's one of the reasons why tonight myself and a lot of the local leaders are hosting a massive town hall meeting at the Missouri History Museum. Because we feel that we have to deal with heeling, as the other gentlemen said. We want to bring different types of people together to talk it where do we go from here? What are strategies that can put in place to not just heal Ferguson and the St. Louis County but also this is an issue around the country.
When I got on the plane on Saturday to come here, literally in my city, New York City, there was a massive protest happening around Eric Garner, who was chokehold by police there. Don just talked about the parents of Sean Bell and Trayvon Martin. Sadly, I worked on those cases as well and I know those parents very well. And we have to deal really with the systemic issue of racism in our country across the board and how it disproportionately has affected folks in my community. But, at the same time, we also have to see each other as sisters and brothers. We've got to move forward as one community, as one country. Otherwise we're going to continue to have these kind of situations over and over again. COSTELLO: And, Don, I know you spoke with Michael Brown's family
yesterday. Attending this service today, Martin Luther King, Jr., the Reverend Bernice King, Reverend Jesse Jackson, the families of Trayvon Martin and Sean Bell. Spike Lee's going to be there, P-Diddy, Snoop Dogg. How are the families reacting to this?
LEMON: The family -- I mean, really, right now, this family can barely stand. And what they want is for -- they want to be heard. The only reason they're doing these interviews is that they want to be heard and they don't want their son's life to be in vain, the tragic death of their son to be in vain.
So I think what they're doing is trying to have some their become a movement and not just a moment. And what they're doing is trying to create -- create some sort of change in this country. And, sadly, I have to say it took the death of a teenager, of an unarmed teenager, to open a Pandora's box. If you look just over the past couple of days that we have been here, the number of officers who have been exposed for their hateful and bigoted ways of thinking, that transcends -- and I think that can perpetuate police departments. Not that all police officers are bad, but when you are a police officer, are you in a critical position. And you have to hold yourself in higher esteem and your thoughts and your words.
And, yes, let me say, a lot of people have been saying these officers who have -- who have been suspended or have been relieved of duties, they have First Amendment rights. But what we have to remember in this country is that we have moved beyond that, beyond the hatred, beyond the bigotry. And just saying that someone's right, it's -- yes, it's your right, but it's your right as a public person, as a person who's supposed to uphold the law to lose your job and suffer the consequences of saying thing that are no longer relevant in this country.
So, yes, you have a First Amendment right. But when you're a police officer, you have to uphold values and you have to uphold the code of conduct that goes along with that. And part of that is understanding people, getting out in the community, not judging people, and not calling people names. You have to get to know the people whom you're supposed to be protecting and serving.
COSTELLO: Well, let me ask you this, Don --
LEMON: Yes. I think Kevin wants to say something.
COSTELLO: OK, go ahead, Kevin.
POWELL: I want to echo who Don just said. We've literally had a movement in this country for the last two or three decades which has been based on hate, fear, ignorance, dividing people from each other. It's not just about race; it's also been about sexual orientation, class, gender. But this is the atmosphere that led to the death of Michael Brown. And so when you see this cross section of people coming together and saying, "Enough is enough," this is about really saying we want a country that is really -- really about democracy for all people, and opportunity for all people, and being able to have empathy for folks.
As I said to someone else, even if you're not a black person, Michael Brown is still your son, because you would not want to see your son laying on the ground for four hours in a pool of blood. This is about all of us.
LEMON: And she's a mother who's lost her son, so regardless of the circumstances, you can have empathy as a human being for someone laying their child to rest.
And that's why I said earlier on our show before this one, stop the hate. I said, Carol, I'm taking a break from Twitter. Some of the vile comments that I heard regarding Michael Brown's mother, regarding Trayvon Martin's mother, regarding Sean Bell's mother, it's gross and uncalled for. So just be human beings for once and just stop it.
POWELL: We've got to have compassion and love for each other. That's REALLY the bottom line. And that's what Michael Brown's father is calling for, that's why he asked for no protests today. Let's be peaceful and let's just come together.
We've got to make sure it's not just today; this has got to be extended forward in our country. This is unacceptable at this stage as a democracy, as a civilization.
COSTELLO: I couldn't have said it better. Thanks to all of you. Stick around; we're going to get back to you throughout the two hours on NEWSROOM. Don Lemon, L.Z. Granderson, Kevin Powell, and the Reverend Starsky Wilson, thanks to all of you.
And as I said, our coverage of Michael Brown's funeral will continue throughout the morning. We'll go back live to St. Louis as family and friends enter the church to remember Michael Brown.
I'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.
COSTELLO: All right. This just in from our affiliates KTVI and KTLR. There has been an explosion at a metal recycling plant in Granite City, Illinois. That's right over the border from St. Louis, oddly enough. Two deaths have been reported. A bomb squad is heading to the plant.
Of course, I'll bring you more information as it becomes available. But, again, there's been an explosion at a metal recycling plant in Granite City, Illinois. Two deaths reported. And the bomb squad is heading to the plant right now.
In other news this morning, people in Napa Valley begin to assess the damage from a strong 6.0 magnitude earthquake. And dozens of aftershocks are still rocking the area this morning. Right now, thousands are without power. Schools remain closed. About 100 homes have been damaged and are unsafe to enter. Dan Simon is live in Fairfield, California, with more for you. Good
morning.
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.
We're actually in downtown Napa. And it's just a disaster zone. You see behind me this rubble. This is a building, a historical building in downtown Napa, just crumbled, you can see all these bricks on the ground. On the bottom was actually an outdoor cafe. On the top, you had offices.
It's been about 24 hours now since the event occurred. And we still don't have a full understanding in terms of all the damage.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SIMON (voice-over): The cleanup effort in Napa continues this morning while crews work to restore power to thousands left in the dark after Sunday's earthquake.
The first moments of the powerful quake caught on camera, rattling residents out of their sleep at 3:20 a.m.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's an earthquake.
SIMON: Striking the Bay Area at a whopping 6.0 magnitude, the strongest felt here in 25 years.
MARLOW DANIEL, NAPA RESIDENT: This just kept going and kept going and kept going. And I felt like I was on a raft in the ocean almost.
SIMON: In downtown Napa, just six miles southwest of the epicenter, historical buildings and homes sustained heavy damage. Pieces of this courthouse and other structures crumbled to the ground, authorities reporting over 100 injuries, including a young child seriously hurt when a fireplace collapsed.
ELISE MARTINEZ, NAPA RESIDENT: I was in shock to see people's homes, people's offices on the floor and crooked, and to know that this is life changing.
SIMON: Business owners in the famed wine country also reporting being hit hard. Hundreds of gallons of wine spewing from a crack in this storage tank.
GAVIN NEWSOM, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA: A wine maker right across the street from us, they were devastated. Dozens and dozens of their barrels collapsed.
SIMON: Fires broke out following the quake, destroying dozens of homes. Broken water mains hampering firefighters' efforts to extinguish the flames. Fire crews having no choice but to let these mobile homes burn to the ground. Experts now warning residents of aftershocks.
JOHN PARRISH, CHIEF OF THE CALIFORNIA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY: We think there's probably over 50 or 60 aftershocks now, the largest one being a magnitude 3.6. We do think the aftershocks will continue for several weeks.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SIMON: Now, the Napa Valley wine industry is still in the process of taking stock of all the damage, but we know that some wineries, the loss will be very significant, Carol. Right now, though, the main concern is really with the infrastructure, making sure they get all the power back on. But we're told from PG&E, pacific gas and electric, that power for most of the residents has been restored. At one point, you had 70,000 without power. At this point, only 150 customers don't have power at this point.
So pretty quick work by the utility crews. Also of course trying to make sure that there are no gas leaks and that the water mains get repaired, as well -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Absolutely. Dan Simon reporting live from Napa this morning.
I want to bring in David Oppenheimer. He's a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.
Welcome, sir.
DAVID OPPENHEIMER, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY: Thank you for inviting me.
COSTELLO: Thanks for being here.
This is the worst quake in 25 years in California. It took place along a little-known fault line, not the San Andreas Fault. Why is that so significant?
OPPENHEIMER: Most people are used to the steady drumbeat message that we give the public to be prepared for earthquakes. We talk about the fault that most people are familiar with, the San Andreas, Calaveras, the Hayward. These faults are capable of magnitude seven, sometimes magnitude eight earthquakes.
But the magnitude scale is an algorithmic scale. So, for every magnitude eight, you have 10 magnitude sevens, and you have 100 magnitude sixes.
So, yesterday, we saw a magnitude six. And they're, by the nature, much more frequent and are going to be occurring on little-known faults because they're just trying to take up the stress related to the motion of the Pacific and North American plates.
COSTELLO: We always hear about the big one coming. Could this quake because of where it occurred trigger a larger quake, a bigger quake, a stronger quake?
OPPENHEIMER: Well, it's always possible that this is a foreshock. We know when we study earthquakes that about 5 percent to 10 percent of all main shocks are preceded by foreshock. As time progresses, the likelihood goes down. So, immediately after the earthquake, there was a 54 percent probability that this of a foreshock.
At this point, a day later, we're down below 30 percent, and actually if we -- we'll be releasing updated statistics this morning. I think the numbers will fall further because this is not a very robust aftershock. So, it's possible, but probably unlikely.
COSTELLO: David, thank you very much for being with me this morning. I appreciate it.
OPPENHEIMER: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: Still to come in THE NEWSROOM, ISIS is surging in the chaos of Syria, slaughtering and enslaving anyone in their way. Now, President Obama is considering hitting them back with airstrikes in Syria.
We'll take you live to the Pentagon, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: All right. You're looking inside the church at the funeral service of Michael Brown. In just a little -- in just over an hour from now, thousands will gather in and around the St. Louis Church for Michael Brown's funeral. Of course, you know who he is by now -- the unarmed African-American teenager who was shot to death by a police officer in Ferguson. The killing ignited days of violent protests.
At a gathering of supporters yesterday, though, Brown's father pleaded with the community to not protest. He is asking for silence and calm on a day that you see his son will be laid to rest. The family is already in the church. And of course, their gathering will be private.
We're also following the release of an American journalist held in Syria for nearly two years, 45-year-old Peter Theo Curtis was freed Sunday by the al Nusra front, a Syrian rebel group with ties to al Qaeda. The U.S. denies having any involvement or details. And, of course, the details about his release remain unclear.
But some believe this may have been an attempt by al Nusra, this terrorist group, to clean up their image with the west. All of this comes as President Obama considers taking military action to stop the surge of ISIS terrorists in Syria. Airstrikes have slowed the extremist group of advancing in neighboring Iraq, but ISIS is thriving in the chaos in neighboring Syria. And the White House warns it's ready to take action against any threat to the United States.
CNN's Barbara Starr joins us now from the Pentagon with more. Good morning, Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
By all accounts, the president has not made a final decision to go forward with airstrikes as far as we know. It's really the key question -- ISIS in Syria, does it pose a direct threat to the United States? Of course, they've already called that terrible killing of James Foley a terrorist act and vowed to protect U.S. interests.
So, where do we stand? Right now, we know that airstrikes in Syria are under consideration, are being talked about at the highest levels in the administration. In fact, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel going to the White House this morning for additional meetings.
If they want to do air strikes, if the president approves them, what has to happen first? Well, what sources are telling us is you first are going to have to have drone flights, reconnaissance flights over Syria. This has been denied airspace to the U.S. You have to get in there and really locate the ISIS target, the troop formations, the training camps, the leadership. What do you want to target, where exactly are they.
That's the intelligence you need fly a drone or high-altitude reconnaissance plane over the area in northern Syria and get a much better picture. After that, the decision about whether to proceed with airstrikes against those targets -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right. Barbara Starr reporting live from the Pentagon. Thanks so much.
I'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
