Stadium protesters hushed at Capitol

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Protesters opposed to state aid for stadium projects were hushed by police as they marched through the Capitol halls Monday and had to hide their signs when they entered a House viewing gallery.

The two busloads of St. Louis residents repeatedly chanted a refrain that also was printed on their matching white-and-black T-shirts: "Fund the needy, not the greedy!"

When Capitol police told protesters to be quiet because they were causing a disturbance, they marched silently for a while. Then they entered the House gallery with signs bearing the same slogan alongside the names of each member of the legislative Black Caucus. Ushers quickly made the protesters hide their signs from the view of lawmakers.

"We don't allow people to display any supporting or opposing signs, because otherwise we'd have all sorts of people up there being disruptive," said Keith Sappington, director of House operations.

Bad publicity

But some protesters said it seemed their message was the real problem.

"It seems like they don't want the truth to come out. ... They don't want any bad publicity," said Michael Johnson of St. Louis. "There are so many people in St. Louis that need social services -- it just doesn't seem right to be passing bills to help ballparks."

The bill would pledge funding for a new St. Louis Cardinals ballpark and renovations of the stadiums for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. Also included in the bill are developments in Branson and Springfield.

The Senate gave initial approval to the legislation last week with the support of Black Caucus members Maida Coleman, D-St. Louis, and Mary Bland, D-Kansas City. Senators must take a final vote before the bill moves to the House, where an intense debate is expected.

Eric Vickers, one of the protest leaders, said the demonstrators were particularly unhappy with Black Caucus members' support of the stadium legislation.

"Their districts are the poorest and most economically devastated in the entire state yet they are giving the stadiums corporate welfare while at the same time the state is cutting social services," Vickers said.

He said the protesters were part of the Urban Academy of Political Development and the Coalition of North St. Louis Economic Development.

State Rep. Betty Thompson, a supporter of the stadium legislation, took issue with the protesters. She said she has always supported the poor and noted that funding for the stadiums would not begin for several years. She also noted that the Cardinals have considered leaving downtown St. Louis if they do not get a new stadium.

"If we lose the Cardinals, people will be upset," said Thompson, D-University City, a member of the Black Caucus. "I'm looking forward down the road."

Rep. Connie Johnson, who said she was undecided on the bill, said she agreed with protesters on at least one thing -- the state funding issue should go to a vote of the people. The bill does not include a referendum clause.