Insight from the Bro-Tex Raid: What Activists Saw While Confronting ICE
Unicorn Riot heard from two locals who mobilized in response to an immigration raid in St. Paul on the morning of Nov. 18.
Tag: St. Paul
White Vigilante Denied Release From Jail While Appealing Murder Conviction
Saint Paul, MN — Brian Harry Kjellberg, the “white vigilante” convicted of murdering Arnell ‘AJ’ Stewart in St. Paul, was recently denied early release from jail to appeal his murder conviction. On Nov. 29, nearly two years to the date of murdering 27-year-old Stewart and…
🦄 Police
Found Dead Following Police Encounter, Justin Teigen Remembered
A newly released Unicorn Riot video highlights the final moments of 24-year-old Justin Teigen’s life and features an interview with one of Teigen’s best friends who was perhaps the last person to see him alive. In 2009, Teigen, a father of one, was found dead…
🦄 Police
‘No English, Don’t Shoot’ – Saint Paul Police Kill Elder Hmong War ‘Hero’
Yia Xiong, a 65-year-old Hmong war veteran was killed by Saint Paul Police on Feb. 12, 2023 in his apartment complex. Xiong's family said he had lost his hearing five decades ago while fighting for the U.S. in Laos and did not know the English language.
Racism in Minnesota Schools Impacting Students and Educators
As students in Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) end out the 2021-22 school year, we take a look at a few anti-Black and pro-police incidents which occurred in the Twin Cities metro area in the last years. These are only a few instances among dozens of…
Longtime Independent Photojournalist KingDemetrius Pendleton’s Work Celebrated by Community
St. Paul, MN – Longtime independent photojournalist KingDemetrius Pendleton held his first ever public exhibit showcasing his photography. Over the second weekend in May 2022, Pendleton held an open-to-the-public exhibit titled ‘The Movement Never Stops’, which is also the title of his self-released book. A…
The Mothers Podcast Episode 7
George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police was the most high-profile Minnesota law enforcement killing in a long history. In May 2016, St. Paul police, who have killed more people than Minneapolis officers, killed Jaffort Smith in the North End. In this episode…
🦄 Police
Caravan for George Floyd as Federal Trial Begins for Officers Lane, Kueng, and Thao
Saint Paul, MN – With a caravan of dozens of cars, protesters in St. Paul continue to demand justice for George Floyd as the federal trial begins for the three former Minneapolis Police officers who assisted Derek Chauvin while he murdered Floyd. Thomas Lane, Alexander…
Over 50 Line 3 Pipeline Protesters Arrested Outside MN Governor’s Residence
St. Paul, MN – Over 50 water protectors protesting Line 3 were arrested, some violently, outside the Minnesota Governor’s Residence in St. Paul on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Those arrested were among hundreds who marched from the Capitol to Governor Walz’ mansion attempting to speak…
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…
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…
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…
‘No Más Cultural Appropriation’ Protest Succeeds in Changing Restaurant Name
St. Paul, MN – Protesters calling out a new restaurant for cultural appropriation delayed the business’ grand opening and forced a name change. Dozens of people protested outside of “Elotes Woodfired Cantina” inside St. Paul’s Keg & Case marketplace in the West 7th neighborhood Thursday…
🦄 Police
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…
Felony Charge Brought Against Native Organizer Over Minnesota Capitol Columbus Statue
Saint Paul, MN – The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office charged Mike Forcia with Criminal Damage to Property – 1st Degree – Value Reduced Over $1000 for the toppling of the Christopher Columbus statue on June 10 at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds.
Although Mike Forcia…
Saint Paul Rally Calls for End to Gun Violence
St. Paul, MN – Following the death of George Floyd, community members rallied to end gun violence last Friday amidst an uptick in homicides throughout the Twin Cities. Year-to-date the number of homicides in Minneapolis has nearly doubled.
Marea Perry, mother of a gun violence…
Economic Justice Rally Pushes for City Level Reparations
St. Paul, MN – After weeks of intense protests following the murder of George Floyd by police, Minnesota organizers are pushing legislative changes to bring forth justice for the Black community. One of those items is a bill that would distribute reparations for descendants of…
🦄 Police
George Floyd Uprising in Minneapolis–Saint Paul — The First Two Weeks
Minneapolis, MN – Waves of rage tore through the Twin Cities community after a video of Minneapolis police officers mercilessly killing George Floyd went viral. Fires were lit across the world as a new movement spread rapidly with the goal of dismantling the police and…
Christopher Columbus Statue Toppled in Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN – Joining a new nationwide cleanse of racist monuments, the Christoper Columbus statue at Minnesota’s Capitol building is one of the latest to be torn down.
On Wednesday evening over a hundred people came to take part in toppling a statue of…
🦄 COVID-19
Minneapolis May Day Protest Supports Essential Workers
Minneapolis, MN – An autonomous demonstration on International Workers’ Day broke off from a large ‘Cancel Rent’ caravan to show support for essential workers.
Dozens of cars and bicycles drove through downtown Minneapolis in a show of solidarity for striking workers across the world that…
🦄 COVID-19
Who’s Calling to ‘Liberate Minnesota’, and Why?
St. Paul, MN – In opposition to the state of Minnesota’s Stay At Home order, over five hundred people protested in front of the Governor’s Residence on Friday, April 17. The protest, called ‘Liberate Minnesota‘, was one in a slew of recent right-wing protests across…
🦄 COVID-19
Living with COVID–19
St. Paul, MN – The scarcity of coronavirus testing in the United States is significantly impacting the country’s ability to combat the spread of COVID–19. Working- and lower-class people can’t get tested unless they are critically ill. Even frontline health care workers experiencing symptoms are…
🦄 COVID-19
Calls for Rent and Mortgage Freeze Outside MN Legislature
St. Paul, MN – Dozens of activists held a car demonstration outside of the Minnesota Legislative building as the House went into session on April 14. The protest was pushing for mortgage and rent payment cancellation, keeping public housing public, housing for the unhoused, and…
🦄 COVID-19
‘Never Again’ Demo Demands Release of Detainees Amidst COVID–19 Pandemic
St. Paul, MN – As the coronavirus continues to spread, activists in Minnesota are speaking out for the safety of those behind bars. On Friday, March 27, hours before a Stay at Home order was to go into effect, over 100 protesters held a socially…
🦄 Labor
St. Paul Teachers Union Strikes, Demanding Increased Mental Health Support for Students
St. Paul, MN – If a school district isn’t actively addressing the significant barriers preventing students’ education, is it reasonable to expect teachers to be successful at their jobs?
Providing resources to minimize barriers against youth learners is the focus of the 2020 labor strike…
🦄 Police
“A Travesty And Insult”: Minnesota Government’s Recommendations Condemned By Community
St. Paul, MN – “Politicians are afraid of the police line.” This remark from a member of the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J) was inspired by the state’s recommendations for how to begin addressing the phenomenon of police killings. The community-based group…
🦄 Police
Amtrak Officer Acquitted After Killing Unarmed Minnesota Man in Chicago
Chicago, IL – On Friday, a Cook County judge acquitted the officer that killed a 25-year-old Minnesota father of three in 2017 as he ran from an attempted search at Chicago’s Union Station.
Two years after Amtrak officer LaRoyce Tankson shot and killed Chad Robertson,…
🦄 Police
Killed by Police: Minnesota Man Remembered Five Years Later
St. Paul, MN – Five years ago, St. Paul police officers shot and killed 24-year-old Marcus Golden in a parking lot. Though Marcus’ mother was a Reserve officer with the St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) for over two decades, the Golden family has received neither…
🦄 Eco
“Divest from Climate Change!” Chase Bank Branch Protested on Opening Day
St. Paul, MN – Chase Bank’s new branch had been open for less than five minutes when two dozen students and activists entered through the front door, just after 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5. They were carrying a banner that read “Chase: Defund Climate…