Category: Police
Feds Leverage Civil Disorder Charge Against George Floyd Protester
Saint Paul, MN – Charges against an Illinois man facing federal felonies from this summer’s uprising in Minneapolis showcase the tactics, techniques and procedures applied by the U.S. government against some of the more enthusiastic participants in the George Floyd rebellion.
Repressive responses by the…
Former Probation Officer Convicted of Double Murder Commuted by California Gov., Granted Parole
Sacramento, CA – On Tuesday, October 20, the State of California granted parole to Rodney “Patrick” McNeal, who had been sentenced to 30-years-to-life on May 3, 2000, for the 1997 murder of his wife and unborn child. He was suspected for the brutal killing of…
Minneapolis Prioritizing Park Sweeps Over Sheltering the Unhoused
While Minneapolis' ongoing housing crisis has been made more urgent by an early major snowfall, the city's elected leaders have prioritized having all the parks cleared by the end of October.
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Unrest in Philly After Cops Shoot and Kill 27-Year-Old
Philadelphia, PA – West Philly saw a quickly escalating situation develop on 4 p.m. Monday afternoon and dragging into the evening and overnight. In a graphic and disturbing video circulating on social media, two white Philadelphia Police (PPD) officers are seen repeatedly shooting a Black…
Chauvin Has 3rd Degree Murder Charge Dropped, 2nd Degree Charges Upheld
Minneapolis, MN – Unintentional second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges have been upheld on Derek Chauvin while the third-degree murder charges were dropped in a pretrial ruling made by Judge Cahill on Thursday, October 21.
Responding to motions and orders filed in the run-up to…
“He Got Away With Murder,” Says Family of Elisa Gomez
Minneapolis, MN – On the 4th anniversary of a Minneapolis woman being found dead in her home, community members gathered to celebrate Elisa Gomez’ life and question why the hanging death of a newlywed wasn’t investigated as a homicide.
Community members met on Sunday, October…
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Youth Lead March After Ex-Cop Charged in Floyd’s Murder Bailed Out
Minneapolis, MN – Hundreds of young adults and teenagers marched just hours after the ex-cop charged with George Floyd’s death was released on bail.
Starting at George Floyd Memorial Square on 38th Street and Chicago Avenue at 6:30 p.m. on October 7, a fast-paced march…
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Ex-Cop Charged in George Floyd Murder Out On $1M Bail, Dozens Arrested in Protest
Minneapolis, MN – Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officer charged with murdering George Floyd, was released from jail on a non-cash bond on Wednesday, October 7.
In response to expected protests over Derek Chauvin being released from jail, Minnesota’s Governor, Tim Walz,…
Denver Rallies in Solidarity with Breonna Taylor
Denver, CO – Protests filled city streets all across the country Wednesday night, including in Denver, where hundreds rallied at the Colorado State Capitol and then marched throughout downtown. Earlier in the day, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) announced that no charges would be…
Peavey Park Sanctuary Homeless Camp Evicted in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN – A long-dreaded eviction of the sanctuary camp at Peavey Park took place today just after 6:00 a.m., an hour before sunrise. Minneapolis Park Police, Minneapolis Police, and sheriff’s officers were all documented as having taken part in this morning’s sweep.
An emergency…
Crowd Protests Breonna Taylor Announcement
St. Paul, MN – A large protest shut down I-94 in Minnesota’s capital city as people responded to the news that Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove will not be charged for the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor…
Pretrial Begins: County Attorney Freeman Pulled from George Floyd Police Prosecutions
Minneapolis, MN – The pretrial hearings for the officers charged in the murder of George Floyd began on the morning of Friday, September 11. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the courthouse and chanted for hours as several motions were heard in court.
Hennepin County Attorney…
Historic Squats, Rosa Nera and Terra Incognita, Raided by Greek Police
Chania, Crete – Early Saturday morning, Greek riot police invaded and evacuated the historical Rosa Nera, a squatted social center on the island of Crete. Police made 16 arrests and injured a journalist with a flashbang during the raid.
Those living in the center, including…
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Killed by Police: Family Remembers Brian Quiñones One Year Later
Richfield, MN – One year after police shot and killed 31-year-old father, husband, and hip hop artist Brian Quiñones, his family and supporters gather for a night of remembrance. Tune in this evening to Unicorn Riot’s live streaming coverage:
Also known as ‘Blessed the M.C.’,…
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Mom Leads March for Son Killed by Police in 1997
Saint Paul, MN – Marilyn Hill and her family led a rally for her son, Demetrius Hill, 23 years after he was killed by Saint Paul Police (SPPD) officers. At Mears Park on September 3, 2020, nearly a hundred people gathered to demand an end…
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Kobe Heisler Remembered One Year After Being Killed by Police
Minneapolis, MN – More than a hundred people gathered outside the Hennepin County Government Center on Monday, August 31, to honor the life of Kobe Dimock-Heisler on the one year anniversary of his death. Kobe, a 21-year-old autistic man, was unarmed when he was shot…
New Month Brings Added Urgency To Minneapolis’ Housing Needs
Minneapolis, MN – Advocates for people without housing are meeting today outside of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board headquarters, hours after a sanctuary encampment in the Phillips area was cleared by police. They’re demanding immediate sanctuary for the Safe Haven Encampment (SHE), a sanctuary…
Two Years Later: Protest at MN-BCA Seeks Justice for Hardel Sherrell
ST. PAUL, MN – 27-year-old Hardel Sherrell died in a cell in Minnesota’s Beltrami County Jail on Sept. 2, 2018. He died a tortuous death of medical neglect, suffering from an undiagnosed case of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare condition that attacks the nervous system.
Family…
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Minneapolis Police Arrest Many in Multiple Sweeps After ~700 March for Kenosha
Minneapolis, MN – Police targeted and arrested a group of protesters after a large ‘Justice for Jacob Blake’ march, culminating in over a dozen arrests later in the night. Nearly 1,000 people had gathered in downtown Minneapolis on August 24, the day after Blake was…
March on Washington for Police Accountability
Washington, D.C. – Nearly 70,000 people converged at the Lincoln Memorial to demand police accountability and racial equity across all sectors in America. The march was originally announced in June by Al Sharpton as he delivered the eulogy at George Floyd’s funeral. Dedicating the march…
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Tribal Member Killed, BIA Officer Suspended, Family Knows Nothing on Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation
Belcourt, ND – On Sunday, August 23, a Turtle Mountain Chippewa man was shot and killed by police in Belcourt, North Dakota on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, according to a statement made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Law enforcement is currently providing…
New Unrest in Downtown Minneapolis; Mayor Calls for National Guard
Minneapolis, MN – A new wave of unrest hit downtown Minneapolis after a man reportedly shot himself late on Wednesday afternoon near 8th and Nicollet Mall.
A city-wide curfew was in effect between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Emergency alerts went out…
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Daughter Organizes March for Father Killed After Police Interaction
Minneapolis, MN – Lionel Lewis was 26-years-old when he died in police custody in northern Minnesota in 2002. Lewis’ daughter, Mia, was only one at the time.
Mia is dedicating her birthday this year to her father and has organized a public demonstration in remembrance…
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Protest Marks 11th Anniversary of Justin Teigen’s Death After Police Encounter
On August 19, 2009, the body of 24-year-old Justin Teigen was found in a recycling center after a disputed interaction with St. Paul Police officers.
Today, protesters in Minnesota are honoring Teigen’s memory on the 11th anniversary of his death. Watch Unicorn Riot’s live coverage…