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 Derrick T Lewis | Dec 15, 2022 | Latest, Social Justice |
The University of Missouri has come under fire after a student made a racist and inflammatory remark about Black death on social media. The Kansas City Defender, a nonprofit digital startup, broke the story on Thursday (Dec. 8), reporting that students have demanded the expulsion of a classmate identified as Meg Miller. According to the report, Miller made a post on Snapchat that said “If they would have killed [four] more n**gers, we would have had the whole week off.”
The post was reportedly made in response to the recent police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Students at the University of Missouri have called for Miller’s expulsion from the school, and have started a petition asking the school to take action. As of Friday morning (Dec. 9), the petition had over 1,000 signatures.
The student also said that “All Lives Matter,” a rallying cry for those who believe that the Black Lives Matter movement is overly focused on police brutality against black people. The student’s comments come at a time when the University of Missouri is already under fire for its handling of racial tensions on campus. In November, a group of black students staged a walkout to protest what they said was the administration’s lack of action in response to a series of racist incidents on campus.
n a statement, the university condemned the student’s comment and said it is taking the matter “very seriously.” “The University of Missouri is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our community,” the statement read. “We do not tolerate racism or bigotry of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and are investigating.” It is unclear what action, if any, the university will take against the student.
by Fabiola Noel | Dec 14, 2022 | Latest, Social Justice |
WNBA star Brittney Griner was released from Russian custody. The athlete spent nine months detained after airport authorities discovered a small amount of marijuana in her luggage as she attempted to leave the country following a professional basketball game.
In a statement released by the White House, President Barack Obama welcomed Griner’s release and praised her for her “strength and perseverance.” “Brittney’s long-overdue release is a testament to her strength and perseverance,” Obama said. “I commend her for standing up for herself and others who may have been unfairly detained in Russia.” The President also called on the Russian government to “reform its laws and practices” with regards to drug possession, which he said “unfairly target[s] individuals like Brittney.” “No one should be subjected to detention and mistreatment because of the actions of others,” Obama said.
We are pleased that she will finally be reunited with her family and friends, and we will continue to stand by her as she adjusts to being home. President Barack Obama celebrated Griner’s “long-overdue release”: “Brittney Griner is a talented athlete who has represented our country with distinction on the basketball court. We are pleased that she has been reunited with her family and friends, and we call on the Russian government to release all Americans who are unjustly detained so that they can return home to their loved ones.”
by Tanyette McCoy Davis | Dec 14, 2022 | Latest, Social Justice |
At least five people were killed and 18 others were injured when a gunman opened fire inside a Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado, just before midnight on Saturday (Nov. 19). The shooter, who has been identified as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, opened fire inside the Club Q nightclub at around 11:56 p.m. local time. At least two people confronted Aldrich after he started firing multiple rounds from a weapon. He fired multiple rounds from his weapon, according to Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez. There were two firearms recovered from the scene of the shooting at Club Q, as well as a long rifle.
Witnesses say that the gunman opened fire on the dance floor, indiscriminately shooting at people. Clubgoers tried to flee the shooter, but many were trapped inside the LGBTQ club. The police arrived on the scene within minutes of the shooting and began evacuating the club. The shooter was still inside the LGBTQ club when the police arrived, and he was eventually taken into custody after a standoff.
The motive for the shooting is not yet known, but investigators are looking into whether it was a hate crime. This is the deadliest mass shooting targeting the LGBTQ community in U.S. history.
by Tanyette McCoy Davis | Dec 14, 2022 | Latest, Social Justice |
According to reports, on November 6, Derrick Kittling, a black man, was shot to death during a traffic stop in Alexandria, Louisiana. The victim was reportedly pulled over by a white officer for having illegally tinted windows on his Chevrolet Silverado. During the stop, the officer allegedly shot Kittling multiple times, killing him. The Louisiana incident is currently under investigation, and it is unclear what exactly led to the shooting. However, this tragic incident highlights the ongoing problem of police violence against black men in the United States.
Kittling was then asked to step out of the car, and when he did, the officer shot him multiple times. Kittling’s family is now demanding answers from the police department, as they believe that the shooting was unjustified. His sister, Kimberly Kittling-Barnes, told Vice that her brother was “a good man” who “didn’t deserve this.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses. This Louisiana tragedy is yet another example of the unjustified violence that Black people face at the hands of police officers in the United States. In 2018 alone, there have been 275 reported cases of police shootings of unarmed Black people, according to Mapping Police Violence. This number is far too high, and something needs to be done to stop this cycle of violence.
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