Washington D.C. – Twenty-five students protested the morning of March 2 on the campus of Howard University, one of the prominent historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU). African American students formed “Howard Resist” to demand President Wayne Frederick make Howard University a sanctuary campus and to criticize Frederick for his recent meeting with Donald Trump.
Minneapolis, MN – An audience of over 500 people gathered at North Community High School in Minneapolis, Nov. 30, to hear Shaun King speak on the rise of police killings of African Americans.
Chicago, IL – On Black Friday, Nov. 25, the busiest shopping day of the year, 500 people marched on the Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s upscale retail district, calling for a boycott.
Houston, TX – Over 30 people marched through downtown Houston on Nov. 5 to demand an end to police brutality. They were calling for justice for Alva Braziel and Jordan Baker, two African American men killed by Houston police in the last year.
Chicago, IL – 500 people marched on the Magnificent Mile the night of Oct. 22, to send a message to the 1% that backs Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Two years ago, racist cop Jason Van Dyke murdered 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. The protest was held to mark that anniversary. The marchers demanded “Justice for Laquan” and community control of the police through an elected, civilian police accountability council (CPAC).
Houston, TX – Over 100 people marched through Houston's Third Ward, Sept. 24, to protest police brutality and demand justice for victims of police killings. The march began with a few speeches in front of the Martin Luther King statue in MacGregor Park, located near the University of Houston. After dozens of people had gathered, they began to march in the streets.
Salt Lake City, UT – Outraged at police violence across the nation, about 500 people took to the streets in the state’s capitol city to protest July 9. They stood together to raise their voices in mourning for Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and against the brutality that police have used to tear apart communities from Ferguson to Baton Rouge, Baltimore and Salt Lake City.
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.
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.
Chicago, IL – The crisis in city hall continues in Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel is desperate to create a new review system to cover up the crimes of the Chicago Police Department. His city council cronies, Carrie Austin and Ariel Reboyras held hearings supposedly for community input. However, they held them with no involvement of any of the forces that have fought for justice for the victims of the Chicago Police Department. The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression convened a press conference on the first day of hearings, July 6, to expose the sham, and to call for community control of police through an elected, civilian, police accountability council.
Chicago, IL – Leaders of the Coalition to Stop Trump and March on the RNC, which is organizing a major protest on July 18, the first day of the Republican National Convention (RNC), is condemning the City of Cleveland’s May 25 announcement of restrictive regulations and a “parade route” that’s designed to curtail protests at the Republican National Convention.
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.
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.
Austin, TX – Over 300 students and activists marched at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Austin on Jan. 30. The large crowd of both students and community activists rallied at the University of Austin campus to hear speeches and then marched to the Texas state capitol building.
Houston, TX – Over 60 people gathered in front of the library at the University of Houston, Jan. 29, to protest against police brutality and demand justice for Sandra Bland, an African American woman who was murdered at the nearby Waller County jail last summer. The protest was organized by Students for a Democratic Society and participants included members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the Houston Anti-War Committee, the Student Feminist Organization, the New Black Panther Party, Workers World Party and a few other groups.
Los Angeles, CA – A contingent from the Boyle Heights-based Centro CSO received enthusiastic responses from the Black public at the annual MLK parade, which took place in the heart of the African American community. The delegation from Centro CSO carried a large banner reading “Dump Trump and right-wing racists.” Many in the large crowds applauded and chanted, “Dump trump now.” A CSO member carried a poster urging Black and brown unity.