🦄 Police, Prison

Marvin Haynes Exonerated and Released From Prison After 19 Years

Minneapolis, MN — In a historic ruling, Hennepin County Judge William Koch vacated Marvin Haynes’ murder conviction, dismissed his charges with prejudice, and ordered his release from prison where he was sentenced to serve life. Haynes walked out of MCF-Stillwater as an exonerated man into…

🦄 Land & Housing, Protest & Direct Action

Camp Nenookaasi, a Beacon of Hope to the Unhoused, Faces Eviction

Camp Nenookaasi is throwing the subject of Minneapolis’ encampment policies into the spotlight again as it faces eviction on December 19. The camp’s supporters are waging the latest skirmish in a longer fight between the city’s prohibition of encampments and those who claim that allowing encampments to remain intact is the most humane approach to the issue, as well as a crucial first step toward getting people into stable housing and recovery programs. 

🦄 Police

Federal Agents Kill Man in North Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN — A standoff that reportedly started at dawn with a man barricaded in a house ended around noon on April 27 when federal agents killed him as he exited his home armed. Community member and independent media maker Ben Bump live streamed from…

🦄 Police

No Charges for Unnamed Federalized Deputies that Killed Winston Smith

Minneapolis, MN – The federalized undercover officers working on the task force that killed Winston Boogie Smith Jr., were exercising “lawful authority,” and will not face charges said Crow Wing prosecutor Donald Ryan in a letter made public on October 11, 2021. A press conference…

🦄 Community, Police

Minneapolis Pushes Activists to Their Limits

Minneapolis has been ground zero for international outrage and seen nearly nonstop protests since Minneapolis police (MPD) murdered George Floyd over a year ago. Also since the murder of Floyd, the city of Minneapolis and the powers that be have shown contempt for protesters, with…

🦄 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

Unanswered Questions Fuel Protests Against Police in Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN – Since Winston Smith was killed nearly two weeks ago in a secretive federal raid, no video evidence or any names of officers involved have been released. Minneapolis has seen another wave of protests not only because Smith was denied due process and…

🦄 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…

🦄 Police, Racism & Far-Right, Social Control, Tech

Minneapolis’ Downtown Dark Alliance

Minneapolis, MN – Multinational retail giant Target Corporation has weaponized its public-private partnerships with nonprofits, law enforcement, the offices of the Hennepin County prosecutor and the Minneapolis city attorney to criminalize and incarcerate the lowest level offenders in downtown. This policy targeted predominantly Black homeless…

🦄 Police
Attorney Ben Crump leads a press conference in front of Cadillac Pawn, where Calvin Horton was killed

Pawn Shop Owner Faces No Charges in Killing Man, State Blames Protesters

Minneapolis, MN – Wisconsinite John Rieple shot and killed Calvin Horton Jr. in Minneapolis on May 27, during the second night of the uprising. Horton was protesting the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, walking down Lake Street. When his section of the march…

🦄 Police
Justice for Kobe Heisler sign held up during demo

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…

🦄 Police

No Charges Against Minnesota Police Who Killed Hip-Hop Artist

Richfield, MN – The police who shot and killed Brian Quinones-Rosario in September 2019 will not face charges. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, the deciding voice in many recent police shootings in Hennepin County, made the justification announcement on Monday, February 10 and released a…

🦄 Police

Isak Aden’s Shooting by Police After Standoff Deemed “Justified”

Hastings, MN – The police officers that killed 23-year-old Isak Aden on July 2 will face no legal consequences. Aden was killed after a four-hour standoff prompted by a disputed domestic disturbance call.

On November 13, the Dakota County Attorney announced the death of Aden…

🦄 Prison

Fighting Youth Incarceration in Minnesota & Creating Alternatives

Twin Cities, MN – New issues revolving around out-of-home placements for youth have recently been brought up through protests and direct actions in the Twin Cities metro area. The effects of youth ‘prisons’, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the disparities of youth of color being targeted…

🦄 Community, Prison, Racism & Far-Right

Reportbacks From the Scarsella Trial (Ten Part Series)

Minneapolis, MN – Hennepin County Judge Hilary Caliguiri sentenced white supremacist Allen Scarsella to 182 months for his racially motivated act of domestic terrorism, shooting five unarmed protesters in Minneapolis in November 2015. Scarsella’s trial featured over thirty witnesses and lasted through eleven days of…

🦄 Police

Minneapolis Police Officer Charged with Two Felonies for Reckless Shooting

Minneapolis, MN – Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) Officer Efrem Hamilton has been charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and felony discharge of firearm from a November 19th, 2016 incident where he shot a bullet into a car full of young adults.
For more…