Category: Community

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…

A Look Inside Minneapolis Federation of Teachers Local 59 as they Gear up for Strike
Minneapolis, MN – Education Support Professionals and Minneapolis Federation of Teachers have rallied over the course of months and have had bargaining information sessions going back till August 2021. Today, March 8, 2022, they go on strike.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day ESP and…

Jahmari Rice Vigil Sheds Tears and Light on Community Violence
Richfield, MN – Community and family members of Jahmari Rice gathered for a vigil on February 2, 2022, outside the South Education Center (SEC) in Richfield, Minnesota. 15-year-old Jahmari Rice, son of community activist Cortez Rice, was a student at SEC for only two days…

Minneapolis and NYC Rally in Solidarity With Portland Shooting Victims
Minneapolis, MN – A politically motivated mass shooting of five people during an Amir Locke march in Portland left Brandy “June” Knightly, a 60-year-old advocate for the vulnerable, dead. Two days after the act of domestic terrorism, solidarity rallies were held across the country, including…

Killed by Police, Amir Locke’s Funeral Draws Hundreds [Photos]
Minneapolis, MN – The funeral for 22-year-old Amir Locke was held two weeks after he was killed by Minneapolis Police Officer Mark Hanneman during the execution of a no-knock warrant. Elected officials and a high-profile reverend joined hundreds at Shiloh Temple International Ministries in North…

Amir Locke Killing Draws Thousands Downtown, Presser Disruptions, and Protest Outside Police Chief’s Home
Minneapolis, MN – Despite below freezing temperatures, community disdain over the killing of Amir Locke on February 2 has been widely shown to the authorities in a variety of ways in the days following.
Graffiti referencing Locke has been sprayed across the city landscape, including…

Museum Holds Event Series, New Exhibit for Black History Month
Minneapolis, MN – Minnesota’s only African American history museum is celebrating Black History Month by holding a series of virtual events available for the public and featuring a new history exhibit on African Americans in Minnesota.
Operating for more than three years now at the…

Thousands Strike in Colorado for Better Labor Practices at Local Grocery Chain
More than 8,000 employees at Kroger’s King Soopers stores, and a few City Markets, are on their third day of striking for better labor practices in Colorado. Unicorn Riot spoke with Gigi Jones, a union captain at a King Soopers in Denver, about reasons for…

Evolve Education Center: Abandoned Indianapolis School Reclaimed
Indianapolis, IN – A pastor is leading the charge of reclaiming an abandoned school and creating a community-and-trades center on the east side of Indianapolis. Pastor Denell Howard’s vision of The Evolve Education Center is slowly coming to fruition after years of planning, praying and…

Winnemucca Indian Colony Defends Against Bulldozing of their Homes
Humboldt County, NV – In early November, Elisa Dick got an unexpected call at work. Her housemate told her to get home quickly—there were men with front end loaders preparing to level her home.
“When I got here, they were here with the machines and…

Family of Elisa Gomez Calls for New Investigation of Her Suspicious Death
Minneapolis, MN – Five years after the mysterious death of Elisa Gomez, her family has lost faith in the Minneapolis Police (MPD) and are calling for a new investigation. Gomez was 47 years old when she was found dead just hours after being married to…

Community Members Craft Messages of Love for Daunte Wright’s Family Outside the Courthouse
Minneapolis, MN – When the Kim Potter trial for killing 20-year-old Daunte Wright began in late November, two activist-archivists made it their duty to make sure the Wright family felt solidarity from the community. Jeanelle Austin and Sharolyn Hagen spent the day outside the Hennepin…

Protest After First Day of Kim Potter Trial Attacked by Car Driver
Minneapolis, MN – A person drove his car through a crowd of protesters outside the courthouse after the first day of the Kim Potter trial ended, injuring several people. A half hour before the car attack on November 30, a fourth juror was empaneled by…