Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Afrika Owes Is The Body Of Christ, Or Something
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 7, 2011
Modified Mar 7, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 7, 2011
Modified Mar 7, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Reverend Calvin Butts continued his mission to keep accused drug mule Afrika Owes out of prison at a sermon yesterday. He's already compared the 17-year-old to Patty Hearst, but from the sounds of it he compared her to Jesus Christ...maybe? He told his congregation, "The judge does not understand. The poor man has been confused because he has come face-to-face with the body of Christ. When the body of Christ stands up, it confuses people." Then again, Rangel did stand up during Owes's hearing...
Butts was also concerned with possible racism, mentioning that the African-American community had a "disproportionate" number of arrests for things like drug dealing and gangs. He said, "We do not buy most of the drugs in this country, we do not sell most of the drugs in this country but we are the most locked up and it has to stop." The church offered to post Owes's bail, but the judge rejected them and refused to lower her bail. One church member said, "We don't know whether she's guilty or not. But we have to support our own."
Owes is accused of running guns for a local gang, on command of her boyfriend who is currently doing time for armed robbery at Rikers.
Tagged
afrika owes
body of christ
church
rev. calvin butts
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .