🦄 Eco

Protests Against Smith Foundry, Ex-EPA Scientist Calls Pollution Regulations a ‘Smokescreen’

Minneapolis, MN -- On January 11, 2024, community members gathered to discuss the future of the Smith Foundry in Minneapolis’ East Phillips neighborhood. The iron-casting facility has been found to violate health regulations, thereby likely threatening the well-being of people living nearby. In November, residents had called for the closure of the foundry after discovering records from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicating that the company had been exceeding Minnesota emission limits of particulate matter since 2018 — without notifying the state.

🦄 Arts & Culture, Community

‘The Neighborhood’s Communication Department’ — Confluence Studio’s Print Shop

Minneapolis, MN — “We’re trying to be the neighborhood’s communication department” said Duaba, Confluence Studio’s co-founder, while standing inside a shipping container-turned print shop in South Minneapolis. “We worked with neighbors,” said Confluence’s other co-founder Sam, “to collaboratively construct this idea of what a newsroom…

🦄 Arts & Culture

MayDay Festivities Return to Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN — After three years on hiatus, the MayDay parade and ceremony returned to South Minneapolis. On Sunday, May 7, 2023, thousands of people filled Bloomington Avenue to watch the Southside Battletrain lead the parade into Powderhorn Park where a ceremony occurred.

Unicorn Riot…

🦄 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…

🦄 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…

🦄 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…

🦄 Police
Minneapolis Police pepper spray houseless advocates while doing a sweep of tent community

Minneapolis Police Sweep West Powderhorn Encampment, Pepper Spray Defenders

Minneapolis, MN – On August 14, 2020, Minneapolis Police along with the Park Police pepper sprayed houseless advocates while doing a sweep of the West Powderhorn Sanctuary tent encampment. Tents were bulldozed in scenes reminiscent of July 20 clearing of East Powderhorn.

Hours before severe…

🦄 Arts & Culture

Minnesota African American Museum Showcases Black History

Minneapolis, MN – Unicorn Riot honors Black History Month by taking you to Minnesota’s only Black History Museum, which brings a year-round gallery and free community space.
Since September 2018, the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG) has been an educational space dedicated…