πŸ¦„ Investigative, Police

Shame Games: Minneapolis Police Mock Community Engagement Officer

Minneapolis, MN – Newly released body camera footage from officers in the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) reveals a gang-like culture denigrating a central command community engagement officer. The videos also show a litany of micro-aggressions towards protesters, the general public and show the main aggressor,…

πŸ¦„ 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…

πŸ¦„ 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…

πŸ¦„ 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…

πŸ¦„ Police

Policing and Punishment in Minneapolis’ β€˜SafeZone’

Minneapolis, MN – Following the Minneapolis Police (MPD) killing of 23-year-old Dolal Idd, community members are growing increasingly critical of the punitive approach embedded in the city’s law enforcement.

The criminal β€œjustice” apparatus faces increasing criticism for emphasizing punishment, violent abuse and incarceration of criminals rather…

πŸ¦„ Police

Minneapolis Police Kill Man Blocks From George Floyd Square

Minneapolis, MN – An evening before New Year’s Eve 2021, police fatally shot a man while in a South Minneapolis gas station parking lot, reportedly during a traffic stop.

In a somewhat contentious press conference near the scene of the killing outside the Holiday gas…

πŸ¦„ Police
America is Over! banner led mobile dance party

Election Night Mobile Dance Party Blockades Uptown, Police Arrest 14

Minneapolis, MN – Around 50 people marched through Uptown Minneapolis during a mobile dance party on election night, November 3. The crowd played music, shot fireworks, spray-painted political statements onto boarded-up business fronts and erected roving barricades in the streets. After the first loop through…

πŸ¦„ Police, Prison
Warren Burger Federal Courthouse in Saint Paul

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…

πŸ¦„ Community, Police
image: Masked protester holds "Justice For Elisa Gomez" protest sign. The sign has a picture of Elisa Gomez with long dark hair and an orange blouse, looking down and to the right. It also has an image of a black handprint with "Silenced 10.11.16" white text overlaid. The protester has on a blue medical facemask, is wearing a black sweatshirt and a purple backpack, and has shoulder-length slightly-curled hair that is dyed yellow and pink. They are looking to the right. Several other masked protesters are behind this person.

β€œHe 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…

πŸ¦„ 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…

πŸ¦„ Police

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,…

πŸ¦„ Eco, Protest & Direct Action
image: a white triangular banner hangs from the cables above the suspension bridge over Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis, oriented towards the right. "NO KKKOPS, NO PIPELINES" is written in mostly-black text; in both of the NOs, the letter O is in red. Red "DANGER" caution-type plastic tape is attached at the top point of the triangle and at the point on the right. The city skyline is visible behind the bridge, and there are cars on Highway 55/Hiawatha Avenue below the pedestrian bridge.

‘No KKKops, No Pipelines’ Banner Dropped in Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN – Activists hoisted a massive banner reading “No KKKops, No Pipelines” above Hiawatha Avenue on Sunday, October 4. More than 20 feet tall, it had been intricately strung from the suspension cables above the Minneapolis Greenway’s pedestrian transit bridge. Sight of the banner…

πŸ¦„ COVID-19, Police
image: city emergency vehicle lights, as well as other city vehicles' lights, shine in the pre-dawn twilight light as well as reflect off the wet sidewalks at Peavey Park. Yellow caution tape has been strung up around the park as a barrier while police evict the residents from more than 10 tents.

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…

πŸ¦„ COVID-19, Police

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…