🦄 Police, Protest & Direct Action

Reporter Reflection on George Floyd Uprising – Episode 1

Waves of rage tore through the Twin Cities after Minneapolis police officers mercilessly killed George Floyd, a 46-year-old father of five and security guard, on Memorial Day 2020. The historic uprising that followed the murder saw the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct besieged by thousands…

🦄 Corporations, Investigative

How Target Funded a ‘Tough On Crime’ Prosecutor’s Office, Driving Black Youth Incarceration in Minneapolis 

Minneapolis, MN — Target Corp. pioneered the Community Prosecution Program in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) more than two decades ago during the era of mass incarceration. As part of a broad anti-crime campaign that employed new advanced technology and reshaped the criminal justice…

🦄 Police, Prison

Fourth Killer of George Floyd Found Guilty

Minneapolis, MN — Almost a full three years after Minneapolis Police killed George Floyd, the final court case of the four officers involved is nearing an end after Tou Thao was found guilty of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. Thao remains in custody and faces…

🦄 Police

Judge Cahill’s No-Knock Warrant Led to MPD Execution of Amir Locke  

Minneapolis, MN – Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill, who presided over Derek Chauvin’s George Floyd murder trial, signed an evidentiary search warrant to aid an investigation which amounted to a death sentence for Amir Locke; Minneapolis city leadership previously promised to cease this dangerous practice.…

🦄 Police

MN Tapped Ohio, Nebraska Cops During Chauvin Trial, Daunte Wright Protests

Minneapolis, MN – During April 2021, Minnesota authorities flooded the Twin Cities metro area with riot police and National Guard soldiers. This was part of a multi-agency task force called Operation Safety Net that coordinated crackdowns during protests after the police killing of Daunte Wright…

🦄 Police, Prison

Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin Sentenced to 22.5 Years for George Floyd Murder

Minneapolis, MN – In a landmark ruling, Minnesota Fourth District Judge Peter Cahill sentenced convicted murderer and former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin to over 22 years in prison for the killing of George Floyd. This is now the longest sentence ever given to a…

🦄 Police, Tech

Aerial Surveillance in Twin Cities Frustrates, Alarms Residents

When protests broke out several weeks ago in a Minneapolis, Minnesota suburb over the police killing of Daunte Wright, tensions were already high thanks to the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer found guilty of murdering George Floyd. State and local authorities were ready…

🦄 Police, Racism & Far-Right

Derek Chauvin Found Guilty in Murder of George Floyd

Minneapolis, MN – On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, the jury in the trial of Derek Chauvin returned a verdict finding the defendant guilty on all counts. Former Minneapolis Police (MPD) Officer Chauvin had been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter – and…

🦄 Community, Police

Beyond the Barricades: A Look At George Floyd Square [Mini-Doc]

Minneapolis, MN – Since the police killing of 46-year-old George Floyd, the area where Floyd took his last breath has turned into an international sacred space controlled by community caretakers. The autonomous zone called George Floyd Square (GFS) consists of four city blocks around 38th…

🦄 Community, Police

Protesters Rally Downtown as First Day of Chauvin Trial Begins

Minneapolis, MN – The long-awaited trial of Derek Chauvin has finally come as hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Minneapolis for the first day. Chauvin, a former Minneapolis Police officer, is charged with second degree murder and second degree manslaughter in the death of George…

🦄 Police, Prison
protesters gather outside Minneapolis courthouse for pretrial hearing in the George Floyd case

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…

🦄 Police
Hundreds of youth march in Minneapolis after George Floyd killer released from jail

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…