Apr 27, 2003 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

As the May primary election approaches, the East End Ministerial Alliance will hold a community meeting Monday to draw attention to the black vote and try to get more black residents to head to the polls. The alliance has scheduled the meeting – set for 7 p.m. in the John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church, located at 349 E. Main St., Uniontown – to inform residents about the May 20 primary.

Pastors Leonard Kirby, Vincent L. Winfrey Sr., Al Thompson Jr., Robert Crable, Leonard A. Tucker Sr., Louis Ridgley Jr., Eric T. Johnson and Allen Johnson are in charge of the alliance.

“We want to inform African-Americans about the election, explain the candidates’ positions and encourage them to vote,” said Rev. Ridgley.

Rev. Kirby, president of the alliance, said the meeting was inspired partly by the Christmas Eve shooting of 12-year-old Michael Ellerbe. A state police trooper shot Ellerbe in a Uniontown alley during a foot chase. A coroner’s jury ruled the shooting was justified, and District Attorney Nancy Vernon decided not to pursue charges against the officer.

“By voting, we hold our local leaders accountable,” said Rev. Kirby. “A lot of people were angry about the DA’s decision. Now is their opportunity to voice their opinion.”

However, the alliance said other events also influenced the meeting.

The alliance members said they are concerned about a lack of support Uniontown Area School District officials give Lafayette School, located in the East End.

According to the alliance, three unnamed school board members failed to attend a school program, “Kids Count Night,” after promising they would be there.

On Thursday, “the school had a program to honor some local kids,” said Rev. Ridgley. “No top administrators were there to show their support. I would think that the ones who are running for school board would have been there.”

The alliance said more politicians will pay attention to the East End if voter turnout increases.

Rev. Eric. T. Johnson said many local blacks are not registered to vote.

“During this election, you can count on one hand the number of signs candidates have put up here. Many candidates don’t feel that the black vote counts, but it does,” he said.

“Residents need to vote if they are angry about what’s happening in the community. ;

“You can’t cry about the situation when you have the power to change it, but choose not to. The East End has a bad reputation. People need to vote, if they want to see any changes occur.”

The alliance members said they contacted every black church in the county and invited members to attend Monday’s meeting.

Rev. Eric T. Johnson said the church can hold about 400 people.

“We’re hoping to see it full Monday night,” he said.