Category: Community
The Mothers Podcast Episode 10
Kimberly Handy-Jones, affectionately known as “Mama Handy,” is a pillar in the fight for justice among mothers whose children have been killed by police. For five years she has held an annual banquet summoning mothers from all across the country to gather and honor their…
Huntington Place Residents Organize and Demand Repairs
Brooklyn Park, MN – For many years, the second largest apartment complex in Minnesota has been plagued by dysfunctional management, leaving hundreds of apartments needing repairs while buildings fall apart. Residents at Huntington Place Apartments have, for years, been complaining about mold, insects, rodents, water…
July 4th Abortion Protests in Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC — In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court rulings against the right to abortion and the environment, Unicorn Riot is streaming demonstrations in America’s capitol city.
Local officials in the District are preparing for a surge in demand for abortions following the…
The Mothers Podcast Episode 9
During episode nine of The Mothers Podcast we hear from Lisa Simpson whose 18-year-old son, Richard Risher, was killed in 2016 by Los Angeles Police Officer Francisco Zaragoza in the Nickerson Gardens Housing Development. Police fired over 70 shots at Risher, 35 hitting his body.
Simpson…
Denver Justice Project Hosts Community Meeting to Reimagine Policing
Denver, CO – On Thursday evening, the Denver Justice Project hosted a community meeting geared toward reimagining policing and public safety.
“The point of this meeting is to hear from community members who have lived experience and or who currently reside in the most marginalized…
Families of Victims Killed by Cops Speak Out About Ongoing Harassment Across Agencies: A Chronicle of Police Retaliation in the Twin Cities
Grieving families of loved ones murdered by Twin Cities police share the incessant “psychological terrorism” they’ve experienced at the hands of on and off duty officers in various departments across the metro, and want their stories to be made public.
Findings in the recent report…
The Mothers Podcast Episode 8
Terrence Coleman, 31, was fatally shot by Boston Police Officer Garrett Boyle at his mother’s apartment in 2016. In episode eight of The Mothers Podcast we hear from his mother, Hope Coleman, who shares the horrific details of her son being killed after calling for…
The End of Federal Abortion Protections Isn’t the End of Abortion Access
Washington, D.C. – For the first time in United States history, the Supreme Court has revoked an individual constitutional right — repealing Roe v. Wade and cutting off federal abortion protections. As Kristin Hady with Abortion Access Front put it, Roe is “just the first…
Longtime Independent Photojournalist KingDemetrius Pendleton’s Work Celebrated by Community
St. Paul, MN – Longtime independent photojournalist KingDemetrius Pendleton held his first ever public exhibit showcasing his photography. Over the second weekend in May 2022, Pendleton held an open-to-the-public exhibit titled ‘The Movement Never Stops’, which is also the title of his self-released book. A…
The Mothers Podcast Episode 7
George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police was the most high-profile Minnesota law enforcement killing in a long history. In May 2016, St. Paul police, who have killed more people than Minneapolis officers, killed Jaffort Smith in the North End. In this episode…
‘Black Women United’ Marches for Breonna Taylor
Saint Paul, MN – An all-Black-women lineup of speakers and performers gathered outside the Minnesota Governor’s Residence to remember Breonna Taylor on what would’ve been her 29th birthday had she not been killed by Louisville police over two years ago. Organized by radio personality, filmmaker,…
The Mothers Podcast Episode 6
Kimberly Davis is a part of a national organization (P.O.S.T.) that is mobilizing families all across the country who have lost a loved one to police. Her motivation stems from her own loss. In Ohio, Kimberly’s 20-year-old son Kimoni Davis was killed during a high…
The Mothers Podcast Episode 5
Toni Biegert visits the site of where her son was killed by police in episode 5 of The Mothers Podcast. Joseph Biegert, a 30-year-old white man, was killed by Green Bay Police Officers Matthew Dunn and Brian Krueger in 2015 as they served a wellness…
One Year Ago, Winston Smith Was Killed By a Federal Task Force
Minneapolis, MN – It’s been one year since sheriffs deputized as federal agents ambushed and fatally shot Winston Smith in his car in Uptown Minneapolis as his friend sat next to him. Initial claims by authorities and corporate media falsely said he was a “murder…
The Mothers Podcast Episode 4
In episode 4 of The Mothers Podcast, Montye Benjamin recounts the story of her son, Jayvis Benjamin, who was killed by Avondale Estates Police Officer Lynn Thomas in 2013. Benjamin was involved in a car crash that Thomas responded to and was unarmed when Thomas…
Two Years After George Floyd
Minneapolis, MN – Two years ago today, Minneapolis Police killed George Floyd, a 46-year-old father of five, over a suspected counterfeit twenty-dollar bill. Community-recorded video of his killing went viral and culminated into what was a historic uprising that saw the besiegement of the Minneapolis…
The Mothers Podcast Episode 3
Featured in episode 3 of The Mothers Podcast is Yolanda McNair, the mother of Adaisha Miller who was killed in 2012 by off-duty Detroit Police Officer Issac Parrish while at his home during a party. Since 2012, at least 500 women have been reported as…
The Mothers Podcast Episode 2
In episode 2 we interview Marion Gray Hopkins, mother of Gary Hopkins, Jr. Gary was killed by police when he was 19-years-old. If you listened to episode one about the police killing Archie Elliott III in 1993, then you are familiar with Prince George’s County…
The Mothers Podcast Episode 1
Dorothy Copp Elliott, a Maryland schoolteacher and the mother of Archie Elliott III reflects back to 1993 when Prince George’s County Police Officers Jason Leavitt and Wayne Cheney fatally shot her 24-year-old son 14 times during a traffic stop. At the time Elliott was killed,…
Last Friday Prayer of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Draws 160K Despite Strict Measures by Israeli Forces
Old City, Occupied East Jerusalem, Palestine – At least 160,000 people gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque on April 29 to perform the last Jummah Friday prayers of Ramadan 2022. After an early morning storming of Al-Aqsa by Israeli forces left dozens injured, and despite strict security…
Reportbacks From the 646+, Detained During Minnesota’s Largest Mass Arrest
Minneapolis, MN – Nearly a year and a half has passed since the largest mass arrest in Minnesota history and many are still facing petty charges. On November 4, 2020, a massive police operation arrested at least 646 people on Interstate 94 during a post-election-day…
Musaharati Dressed as Clowns Wake Up Citizens in Gaza Strip for Meal Before Ramadan Fast
Al-Zahra, Gaza Strip, Palestine – During Ramadan 2022, Palestinian Alaa Miqdad and his friends have taken on the traditional role of a “musaharati” or “Ramadan drummer.” The musaharati is a person who beats the drum to awaken fellow Muslims to the traditional pre-dawn meal before…
“In The River” Performance Commemorates the Toppling of the Columbus Statue
St. Paul, MN – A public performance commemorating the toppling of the Columbus Statue at the Minnesota State Capitol in 2020 is set for Saturday, April 23 at 4 p.m. Unicorn Riot will be covering the event and media from the performance will be posted…
