News and Views from the People's Struggle
Chicago, IL – 2000 to 3000 protesters, mostly high school students, marched through the streets of Chicago, July 11, to protest the recent police murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. What started as a sit-in of youth joined together with a rally held by Black Lives Matter Chicago, the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and Trinity United Church of Christ.
Washington, D.C. – Protests continued here, July 10, as well over 600 protestors, mostly Black youth, took to the streets. Marching and shutting down H street, protesters marched into Union Station, demanding justice, shouting “Black lives matter!” Protesters eventually ended up on the front steps of the capitol building.
Tampa, FL- Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized a rally and march, July 9, demanding justice for Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. In preparation for the event, students went to the African American neighborhoods of Tampa passing out hundreds of flyers and speaking to the community about police crimes.
Minneapolis, MN – On a sunny Saturday afternoon July 9, hundreds of people gathered in Loring Park, marched through downtown Minneapolis then sat in outside two entrances to the Basilica Block Party demanding justice for Philando Castile. Castile was murdered by St. Anthony police officers Thursday night on Larpenteur Avenue, as his girlfriend and her daughter sat in the car with him during a traffic stop and his girlfriend recorded live video of the incident to Facebook. The video went viral provoking outrage and protests nationwide.
Washington, DC – Around 250 protesters gathered in front of the Department of Justice July 8 to demand the DOJ prosecute the killer cops responsible for the murder of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota.
Nationwide response to police killing of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile
Jacksonville, FL – Over 100 community members and activists held a vigil for the victims of police crimes on the corner of N. Liberty Street and E. 9th Street on July 8. The evening vigil was planned in response to the cold-blooded murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by the police earlier that same week. Local victims of police crimes, including Vernelle Bing Jr. and D'Angelo Stallworth, were also commemorated.
New York, NY – Hundreds of New Yorkers gathered at Union Square at 5 p.m., July 7, to demand justice for Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. The call to action was made by the Stop Mass Incarceration Network.
St. Paul, MN – With less than 24 hours notice, 5000 people gathered July 7 for an evening vigil at J.J. Hill Elementary School, then marched to the governor’s mansion demanding justice for Philando Castile. Late the night before, video spread of a Saint Anthony police officer shooting and killing Castile during a traffic stop on Larpenteur Avenue near the state fairgrounds. The video was recorded and posted live by Castile’s girlfriend who was in the car with him, along with her 4-year-old daughter.
Minneapolis, MN – Today at Noon NAACP head Nekima Levy-Pounds and hundreds of people held a press conference in front of the Minnesota Governors mansion to protest the police murder of Philando Castile on July 6, 2016. The aftermath of the shooting and death of Philando Castile was livestreamed by his partner Diamond Reynolds. Philando Castile had been driving while black when he was pulled over for a broken tail light. When asked by the officer for his license and registration he informed the man that he was a concealed carry permit holder and had a gun on his person. This is in compliance with Minnesota law and the procedures permit holders are instructed to use. The officer opened fire upon hearing that he had a gun, shooting him 3-5 times in the arm. Officers held Ms. Reynolds and her daughter in the car at gunpoint while Philando Castile bled to death in front of them. The livestream broadcast brought people to the scene who protested the murder throughout the night, eventually occupying the street in front of the MN Governors mansion. Philando Castile is remembered as a kind man who gave out extra graham crackers to the kids at J.J Hill school in St. Paul where he was a lunchroom supervisor. He was a 15 year member of Teamsters Local 320. This is at least the second police murder of an African American man this week
#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #MN #BlackLivesMatter #PhilandoCastile