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: Twin Cities
Two Women Seek to Decolonize Thru-Paddle and Canoe 2,552 Miles to Change the Narrative
Lake Itasca, MN – Embarking on a voyage to feminize and “decolonize” the wilderness, two women in a canoe have started their expedition down the entirety of the Mississippi River. Immigrant Indigenous Latina, Cory Maria Dack, who’s also a transracial transnational adoptee, along with Espoir…
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…
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…
![image: aerial photograph of the city of Minneapolis in the daytime from the Department of Natural Resources airplane. The wing is visible on the bottom left side of the picture. Four images are superimposed: from left to right, a black rectangle with white text, "Getting that load to MN is the priority. Advise if plan B needs to be made for munitions."; a grey map showing an aircraft's flight record from northern Minnesota, to a location in Wyoming, then to Minneapolis; a white rectangle with black text from an email reading, "Subject: RE: Flight Info Steve will be able to load 1600 pounds of cargo onboard."; another white rectangle with black text, "Estimated Arrival in Casper Wyoming: 10:00 hours local time. Max Payload with required fuel, about 1500 pounds. Safariland Contact Wyoming Mike Kramer [redacted]. Safariland Contact Minneapolis Kevin Degel [redacted]."](https://ur-web1.unicornriot.ninja/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/FOIALawEnforcementResponseSTory-min.png)
Behind the Law Enforcement Response to the George Floyd Uprising – Pt 1: Munitions Delivery
Text messages, emails, photos and other records provide a rare look into the coordination between multiple agencies that took place in the aftermath of Floyd's killing.
‘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…
Youth Lead Summer of Oromo Protests in Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN – On June 29, famed Oromo singer and activist Hachalu Hundessa was assassinated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, sparking renewed rounds of protests by Oromo people across the world.
Hundreds have been killed protesting in Ethiopia since Hachalu’s murder, with upwards of 10,000…
🦄 Police
Minneapolis’ Unhoused Speak Out Against Years of Evictions
Minneapolis, MN – With threat of eviction hanging overhead, today residents of the Sanctuary in Powderhorn Park are sharing their experiences being repeatedly displaced and evicted by police. See the live stream from the presser in the park below.
Established on June 10, the first…
🦄 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…
🦄 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…
🦄 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…
🦄 Police
Vigil for Police Shooting Victim Shuts Down Interstate
Richfield, MN – On Sunday evening Interstate 494 was shut down by community members protesting Brian Quinones’ death at the hands of police. Hundreds attended an emotional vigil at the site where Quinones was shot and killed a night earlier. Mothers, children, elders, and neighbors…
Three MMIW events in Minneapolis Demand Justice
Minneapolis, MN – Our journalists documented a series of events that are part of a push for justice for “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Boys, LGBQI, Two Spirit and Transgender Relatives” in Minnesota.
2019 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Event from Unicorn Riot on…
Survivor-Led Guerrilla Teach-In Highlights Rape Culture in Progressive Spaces
Minneapolis, MN – In April 2017, in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis, a direct action took place inside a local progressive cafe. The guerrilla teach-in was conducted in response to cafe management silencing employees who were attempting to center the needs of survivors of sexual…
No Verdict Yet In Trial of Officer Yanez for Philando Castile Murder
St. Paul, MN – A verdict was expected today in the trial of St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez for manslaughter. Yanez was charged on November 16, 2016 after he killed 32-year-old African-American Philando Castile by shooting him five times during a traffic stop in…
🦄 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…
Jamar Clark Remembered a Year Later with Balloons & Fireworks
Minneapolis, MN – A large group of community members gathered in North Minneapolis at the site of Jamar Clark’s murder for a candlelight vigil. The vigil lasted two hours and featured speeches, sparklers, fireworks, balloons, and food.
Unicorn Riot was live during the proceedings of…
Twin Cities Young Muslim Collective Holds CVE Forum
Minneapolis, MN – On Friday, October 28, the Young Muslim Collective (YMC) of the Twin Cities hosted an informational presentation and discussion panel about Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), a counter-terrorism initiative of the United States’ Department of Homeland Security.
Unicorn Riot was in attendance and…
Controversial Mural Elicits Condemnation, Community Backlash
Minneapolis, MN – Since the University of Minnesota (UMN) Twin Cities’ 2016 Paint The Bridge event, one particular panel on the Washington Avenue bridge has sparked significant controversy.
The annual Paint The Bridge event is open to all student groups officially registered with the UMN.…
Twin Cities Anarchist People of Color Engage Militancy Debate
Minneapolis, MN – On July 9th, 2016 Black Lives Matter Minneapolis (BLM-Mpls), along with members of other groups and non-group affiliated young people, led a protest march and shutdown of highway I-94 In St Paul, MN to demand justice for Philando Castile.
During the shutdown,…
Minneapolis Pushes to Adopt Insurance Amendment for Police
Minneapolis, MN – On June 2nd, 2016, concerned citizens with the Committee for Professional Policing formally delivered a large stack of ballot petitions to the City Clerk at the Minneapolis City Hall. After six years, and countless volunteer hours, 12,000 locally gathered signatures are now…
Mayor Betsy Hodges Speech at U of M Campus Disrupted
Minneapolis, MN – On Thursday, May 19th, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges speech at the U of M campus was disrupted by members of the Black Liberation Project (BLP). The speaking event was titled “The Opportunity City: Progress Report for Improving Equity in Minneapolis”.
Here is…
#Justice4Jamar: Mpls Community Braces for Worst Case Scenario as Decision Looms
3/30: UnicornRiot is starting live coverage today here. The county attorney is holding a press conference & a rally in Eliot Park is planned later. //
Minneapolis, MN – March 26, 2016
“Indict, convict, send those killer cops to jail – the whole damn system…
Justice for Jamar Coalition Prepares for Decision, Defiant of Minneapolis Police Chief Threats
Minneapolis, MN – On March 25, 2016 community members and allies gathered in front of the Minneapolis City Hall to continue to demand Justice for Jamar. Representatives from Minneapolis NAACP, Twin Cities Coalition 4 Justice 4 Jamar, Black Lives Matter Minneapolis, Black Clergy United for…
Islamophobia & Anti-Blackness Confronted at #OurThreeBoys Rally
Minneapolis, MN – On February 29th, 2016 a group of youth, the newly organized Young Muslim Collective (YMC), held an #OurThreeBoys / #OurThreeBrothers remembrance event at Coffman Union on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
Unicorn Riot was LIVE for this event.
Purposed as…
#FreemanFridays – New Witness Statement Released
Minneapolis, MN – An unreleased video statement from a witness of Jamar Clark‘s murder was played for Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s colleagues today.
Community members and organizers from Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar came together on Friday, February 26, at the Hennepin…
Clergy Protest Police Brutality at the Mall of America
Bloomington, MN – On February 22nd, 2016, Unicorn Riot attended a protest at the Mall of America called by “Black Clergy United for Change.” The protest was in response to an assault of 14 year old Isabella Brown by Mall of America [MOA] security officers…
Hennepin County Attorney Says Jamar Clark Case Set for Grand Jury
UPDATE: As of Tuesday, February 23rd, County Attorney Mike Freeman has stated “a number of things were not completed and they were sent back to get done”, expanding the BCA’s investigation in Jamar Clark’s case. Freeman also stated that “new things have to be investigated”…
Striking Workers Paralyze Mpls Rush Hour Traffic
Minneapolis, MN – Hundreds of striking janitors, staffers, union members, and community members occupied busy intersections in downtown Minneapolis bringing morning rush-hour traffic to a standstill.
CTUL or Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (The Center of Workers United in Struggle) and SEIU 26…
Broken Hearts Rally
St. Paul, MN – On February 13, 2016, Unicorn Riot attended the “Broken Hearts Rally: Picking up the Pieces for Unity.” The rally was held in Arnellia’s jazz club in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was originally slated to be held outdoors, but the event was…