Chasing truth with a camera: Why two local photographers joined the Ferguson fray
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“I know how to tell the truth.”—Nancy Musinguzi
Truth. It’s often called objective.
#BlackLivesMatter and #ChargeMeToo
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As one grand jury after another refuses to indict police who have killed black men, #BlackLivesMatter protests continue across the United States. I marched on November 25, missed Saturday’s MOA protest, and will probably march again. Like many people, I keep hearing the same questions on Facebook and from friends and family. Before the next family gathering, here’s my short question-and-answer. Continue Reading
NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos: Two more victims of the system
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On December 20, 2014, the sick, corrupted system that passes for justice in this country claimed two more lives.
Clergy tell Bloomington to charge them, too, in #BlackLivesMatter protest
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Charge us, too.
That’s what a growing list of clergy is telling Bloomington City Attorney Sandra Johnson and Mall of America administrators. Johnson says she expect to charge organizers of a Black Lives Matter protest at the Mall on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Some favorite responses to the “All Lives Matter” crowd
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I made a collage of some of responses to the “but shouldn’t it be ALL LIVES MATTER?” crowd. Continue Reading
Community Voices: Mall of America, free speech, and one gutsy district court judge
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I’d seen a lot of references to the disappointing 1999 decision of the Minnesota Supreme Court in upholding the legal right of the Mall of America to exclude demonstrators.
BEHIND THE STORY | Public dollars, private land and freedom of speech
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Two years ago, I attended one of the most amazing acts of public expression I think I’ve ever experienced. It was at the Mall of America- a Round Dance held in the rotunda where I witnessed over a thousand people, mostly Native American, sing and dance in a circle as drums played. Not a protest, exactly, it was really more of a healing prayer and a call to action, precipitated by the Idle No More Movement, which got started in Canada over tribal sovereignty issues.Related article: Thousands protest at Mall of America, spark mall shut-down; 12 arrestedI’m not exactly why the 2012 roundy was allowed to occur by MOA security without a hitch when in the following year, a similar action was nipped in the bud. Last year, I reported for The Uptake how Idle No More organizers received letters not to attend a planned action, and were arrested upon arrival. The protest did not take place.It’s possible the 2012 round dance was given prior permission while the 2013 one didn’t. Continue Reading
Thousands protest at Mall of America, spark mall shut-down
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(If the Storify story does not appear, refresh your browser)
[<a href=”//storify.com/tcdailyplanet/thousands-fill-mall-of-america-chanting-black-live” target=”_blank”>View the story “Thousands protest at Mall of America, spark mall shut-down” on Storify</a>] Continue Reading
Bloomington threatens to arrest Black Lives Matter organizers, not protesters
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A Black Lives Matter protest planned for Dec. 20 at the Mall of America hit a snag this week when Mall of America officials threatened to remove any protesters and potentially have them arrested. The protest is part of a national movement aimed at raising awareness about police violence against people of color.Related stories: [PHOTOS] #BlackLivesMatter momentum continues, protesters march on downtown Minneapolis[PHOTOS] #BlackLivesMatter protesters halt 35W traffic: “We’re ready for change”A letter, signed by Mall of America Management, was sent by courier to the homes of several of the organizers, saying that advocates were allowed to protest on the Alpha Business Center Lot, adjacent to the mall, but that any protesters inside of the mall would be subject to removal, as the Mall of America is private property.Black Lives Matter organizer Michael McDowell said the letter was delivered to his house by courier on Dec. 12, though he didn’t receive it until Dec. 13. Continue Reading
Michelle Gross: Police-community relations, body cams and the cooptation of the community agenda
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These are interesting times.
For nearly 25 years, I’ve been trying to get people to pay attention to and act on the very serious issue of police brutality, 14 of those years as part of Communities United Against Police Brutality. Mostly it’s been an uphill battle. White folks largely have responded with disbelief and the idea that the victims “must have done something to deserve it.” People of color have been much more aware of the issue but often resigned to the idea that little could be done to effectively take it on.