by Enaysha Thompson | Dec 15, 2022 | Latest, Social Justice |
The city of Minneapolis has a big vision to transform the gas station near the intersection where George Floyd was killed into a permanent memorial and justice healing center for the community. The gas station, which is currently owned by a white man, will be purchased by the city for $3.2 million and turned into a “space for reflection and healing.”
The decision to purchase the gas station was made by the Minneapolis City Council on Friday, June 26th. The council unanimously voted to approve the purchase, which was funded by private donations. “This is an important step in our city’s journey to heal,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “It’s a journey that starts with justice for George Floyd but doesn’t end there. We have to continue working to dismantle systemic racism in our city, and this gas station will be a powerful symbol of that commitment.”
The project is still in its early stages, but the hope is that it will be a space where people can come to heal and learn about social justice. This is an incredible project that will help to heal the community and create a lasting tribute to George Floyd. We can’t wait to see it come to fruition! t is clear that they are committed to creating a space that meets the needs of those who have been most impacted by Floyd’s death and its aftermath.
by Xavier Thompson | Oct 30, 2021 | Latest, Social Justice |
The famous N.Y. actor Micah has been charged with second-degree criminal mischief for vandalizing George Floyd’s statue. The man was seen wrecking this bronze memorial, and the N.Y.P.D arrested him. This 37-year-old actor was charged for this crime as a second-degree criminal offense. This act of vandalism was caught on a CCTV camera, and this surveillance footage was released to the public by police officers. The video was of this actor riding his skateboard past the statue and splattering it with paint.
The act was captured days after the statutes of Breonna Taylor and John Lewis were unveiled. George Floyd’s brother insists he wants to meet with the criminal who ruined his brother’s statue. He insists he wants to hold a conversation with this actor and gain information that will help them prevent cases of vandalism.
This statue was the primary target, and it was the masterpiece that evoked many emotions. According to Terrence Floyd, the brother, he was saddened to see how his brother was a target of hate. That’s why he wants to hold an honest conversation with the person charged.
This vandalism of the sculpture occurred in June, and there were four suspects in the original investigations. The monument was defaced, but Beals has been the prime suspect in this vandalism.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
by Tanyette McCoy Davis | Sep 6, 2021 | Latest, Social Justice |
During a protest following the death of George Floyd, Jaleel Stallings, a St. Paul, Minnesota resident, fired shots at Minneapolis Police officers and was charged with two counts of attempted murder. Almost a year after the trial, he was found not guilty.
Stallings’ attorney told the Associated Press on Friday (Sept. 3) that he used self-defense as a defense during his July trial. When he fired three bullets at the unmarked white van, Stallings believed that he was being attacked by civilians in the area, and that he started firing after being hit with a non-lethal rubber bullet in the chest. Apparently, after firing at the officers, he realized what he had done. In the end, neither of the officers was injured. It is reported that after realizing that he had shot at them, he surrendered to authorities.
It was revealed Tuesday in a report published by the Minnesota Reformer that video captured by SWAT officers Justin Stetson and Andrew Bittell appears to show them kicking and punching Stallings when he is on the ground. They said Stallings, who was seen in his mugshot with bruised face, had been resisting arrest. However, from the footage, it is evident that he remained still on the ground for 20 seconds, contradicting the previous information.
Judge William Koch concluded in a pretrial order that “Officer Stetson and Sergeant Bittell were overcome by anger and/or fear and beat Mr. Stallings for nearly 30 seconds before attempting to handcuff him. Stallings did not resist arrest by any means, but instead submitted to their authority in the video.”
In this stage of the investigation, it is unknown whether any punishments will follow. Apparently, Stallings will now consider additional legal action than what he had planned now that he has been acquitted.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
by Fabiola Noel | Jun 5, 2021 | Hot on TV, Latest, Trending |
Fourth World Records and Dave Chappelle partnered to release limited vinyl copies of his ‘8:46’ special.
In response to George Floyd’s murder, Dave Chappelle has teamed up with a record label to release limited edition vinyl copies of his special 8:46. Three reports indicate that Third World Records is distributing the rapper’s red, black, and green LPs.
A double album was released by Dave Chappelle, both named after the reported period of time Chauvin kneeled against George Floyd’s neck. Watching Side A takes about 30 minutes. In the B-Side, Amir Sulaiman reads both “My Insides Out” and “We Must Win.”
The vinyl features images from the show and George Floyd’s protests, as well as a moment of silence honoring him and other victims of police brutality and systemic racism. The book will be sold in limited quantities of 846 copies.
In addition to being available on Third Man’s website and in their Nashville and Detroit stores, Dave Chappelle’s limited edition 8:46 vinyl is currently available online. Orders for the black version of the album – due out on Oct. 29 – are now being taken.
Dave Chappelle’s high school in Washington, D.C., Duke Ellington School of the Arts, will receive the sales proceeds.
It was in Chappelle’s 8:46 special, in response to George Floyd’s tragic passing, that he grappled with the loss of another Black man, as well as the recurring incidents of police aggression. According to the press release, YouTube’s most popular video in 2014 was this one entitled 2020, which has garnered more than 30 million views, as well as 7.5 million views on the comic’s Instagram account.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Apr 21, 2021 | Editorial Pick, Latest, Social Justice, Trending |
Following three weeks of testimony, a jury in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reported Derek Chauvin liable of all charges in the murder of George Floyd on Tuesday (April 20).
After approximately a day of deliberation, the jury — comprised of six white people, four black people, and two multiracial people — announced the verdict. The former officer has been found guilty of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
Following a few delays, including one caused by the settlement reached between Floyd’s family and the City of Minneapolis, the jury was handpicked. The former cop’s murder trial began in late March.
Prosecutors produced evidence and called 38 witnesses to testify in the weeks that followed, along with the young woman who recorded Floyd’s tragic arrest. They contended that Floyd died of asphyxia (lack of oxygen) after the former officer placed his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds, choosing to ignore his cries for help and the demands of bystanders to release him.
On the other hand, Chauvin and his defense team called seven witnesses, including medical experts, to establish that Floyd died as a result of a pre-existing heart condition, adrenaline, and ingestion of a fentanyl and methamphetamine mixture. They introduced that his exposure to carbon monoxide could have been a factor as well.
Floyd was arrested outside a Cup Foods convenience store in May 2020 for purportedly purchasing cigarettes with a counterfeit bill. His experience with Chauvin and responding officers culminated in his heinous assault and murder, which were both managed to capture in now-viral videos of his death. The officer’s killing sparked worldwide protests and calls for Chauvin’s prosecution.
Following today’s (April 20) verdict, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng, and Tou Thao, the other officers present during Floyd’s shooting, will appear before a judge as co-defendants in their August joint trial. They are being charged with assisting and abetting.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. You can read more of Jonathan P. Wright’s work in the Editorial Picks section.
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