FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri town that became synonymous with the Black Lives Matter movement after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown has sworn in its first black mayor.
Ella Jones defeated City Council colleague Heather Robinette, who is white, 54% to 46% to win the three-year term in an election on June 2. Term limits prohibited the incumbent, James Knowles III, from seeking a fourth term.
Jones was sworn in Tuesday night at City Hall, and a second ceremony was planned for Wednesday at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis office in Ferguson. She inherits leadership of one of America’s most high-profile small towns.