Salt Lake City, UT – 1000 people rallied and marched Feb 29, demanding justice for Abdullahi Omar Mohamed, who was shot and severely injured the night of Feb. 27, near the homeless shelter. Abdi Mohamed, a 17-year-old Black youth, engaged in a confrontation with a much older white man. Mohamed had an aluminum broom stick when the police arrived. They demanded he drop the broomstick and before he had a chance to comply they shot him multiple times. This sparked a rebellion among the homeless who clashed with police, resulting in 100 officers, many in riot gear, clearing the street.
Los Angeles, CA – Several hundred marched through the streets of East Los Angles, Feb. 29, carrying the body of Edwin Rodríguez, who was severely beaten and shot by the LA sheriffs. The family and community demanded justice for Rodriguez, prosecution of sheriffs who murdered him and an end to police killings. They chanted, “The sheriffs are assassins.”
Salt Lake City, UT – Over 20 people gathered at a rally, Feb. 27, organized by Utah Against Police Brutality to demand a community controlled police review board.
Tampa, FL – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at the University of South Florida (USF) held a lecture and then a protest as part of Black History Month.
Minneapolis, MN – Around 200 people rallied and marched in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood against Islamopobia, Feb. 20. The protest was organized by a new coalition of some two dozen state organizations calling themselves Minnesotans Against Islamophobia.
Minneapolis, MN – More than 50 people descended on the office of Hennepin County Prosecutor Mike Freeman, Feb. 19, for the second Friday in a row, to demand that he prosecute Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, the Minneapolis police officers that killed Jamar Clark. Protesters addressed their demands to two staff members. Speaking for the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar, Jodie Carroll presented the groups’ position and Brettina Davis asked where Mike Freeman was – apparently he was out sick.
Houston, TX – On Feb. 25, the Republican candidates debate will take place at the University of Houston (UH). As part of their Dump Trump campaign, Students for a Democratic Society held a Trump piñata bash on campus, Feb. 19. Students walking by said they were very impressed with the piñata and support the Dump Trump campaign. Some offered to help us hand out leaflets for the protest of the debate.
Boyle Heights, CA – A great show of unity and solidarity against police abuse took place in Boyle Heights, Feb. 12, with a spirited protest of over 50 people. The Mendez family, friends, neighbors, supporters, activists and Centro CSO members protested at LAPD Hollenbeck police station over the Feb. 6 killing of Jose Mendez, a Boyle Heights teen. Protesters demanded justice for Jose Mendez and an end to police killings of our Chicano youth.
Arlington, TX – The Progressive Student Union at the University of Texas, Arlington (UTA) held a Dump Trump Piñata Bash, Feb. 9, to protest the presidential candidate's racism and xenophobia. Around 30 students gathered around a piñata made to look like Donald Trump. Some took pictures and others took videos, while still others took turns striking the piñata. Candy flew on the grass with each swing.
