St. Landry Parish Church Fires (2019)
Louisiana: The State We're In
Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Newsmagazine
Place Covered: Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2019-04-12
Duration: 00:07:07
Subjects: African American churches | FIRES | Arson
Contributors:
- Moreau, Andre Host
- Crews, Keith Editor
- Browning, Butch Speaker
- Nichols, Dana Speaker
- Guidroz, Bobby Speaker
- Toussaint, Gerald Interviewee
- Edwards, John Bel Speaker
Description
This segment from the April 12, 2019, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Andre Moreau’s report on the fires at three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish – St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre on March 26th, Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas on April 2nd, and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church near Opelousas on April 4th. Moreau first reports on the arrest of Holden Matthews on three counts of simple arson of a religious building. Next, he presents highlights of a press conference in Opelousas announcing the arrest of Matthews, including comments by State Fire Marshal Butch Browning, Dana Nichols of the ATF, and St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz. Then, Moreau presents highlights of Governor John Bel Edwards discussing the church fires during his opening address to the Louisiana Legislature. Lastly, Moreau interviews Pastor Gerald Toussaint of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.