Minneapolis

"As Mayor of Minneapolis, I Saw How White Liberals Block Change" by Betsy Hodges, The New York Times, July 9 2020.

"What Does 'Dismantling the Police' Really Mean?" with Michelle Phelps, Dialogue Minnesota (June 26 2020)

Documentary Examines Black History at the U of M, by UMN Alumni, UMN This Free North, February, 18, 2020.

"How an African-born Student Leader's Swift Action Triggered Police Reform in Minneapolis After George Floyd's Death" by Cynthia Simba, Mshale, June 24 2020

"How Black Visions Collective is Sustaining a Revolution" by Amital Shaver, Minnesota Monthly, July 6 2020

"I Was Mayor of Minneapolis. I Know Why Police Reforms Fail." by R.T. Rybak, The Atlantic, June 18 2020

"Local Professor's 'Minneapolis Uprising Syllabus' Offers a Historic Look at the Present" by Sarah Brumble, City Pages, June 16 2020

"Syllabus on the Minneapolis Uprising" by Adam Beldsoe, Department of Geography at University of Minnesota

"Unraveling Racial Disparities in the Twin Cities" by Katelyn Vue, Minnesota Daily, June 26 2020

“What to do about the MPD? How three activist groups are rethinking public safety” By Tiffany Bui, MinnPost, June 01, 2020.

"How Minnesotans Can Fight for Racial Justice" by Erik Tormoen, Minnesota Monthly, May 29, 2020

“Letter from Minneapolis: Why the Rebellion Had to Begin Here” by Su Hwang, Literary hub, June 8, 2020.

"This Free North" documentary

University of Minnesota Humphery School of Public Affairs, Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Zoom Webinars:

• "The Minnesota Paradox" with Dr. Samuel Myers, Dr. Joe Soss, and Dr. MayDao Hang. Tuesday, June 30, 12:00 to 1:00 PM Central Time. Watch and read here.

"Black Lives Matter and the 2020 Elections" with Professor Michael Minta (U of MN), Ashley Jardina (Duke U), Christopher S. Parker (U of Washington-Seattle), and LaFleur Stephens-Dougan (Princeton U); Wednesday July 15, 12:00 to 1:00 PM Central Time. Register here.

Atlanta

“As Hundreds of Students Join George Floyd Protests, Some Black Students Become Targets of Police” by Shailaja Neelakantan, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, June 1, 2020.

"Atlanta Mayor Tightens Rules on When Police Can Use Force" by Richard Fausset and Rick Rojas, The New York Times, June 15 2020

“Details of Shooting in Atlanta Fuel Debate on Police Use of Force” by New York Times, June 14, 2020.

“I’m president of Morehouse College. Here’s my advice to protesters” by David A. Thomas, Washington Post, June 22, 2020.

“Spelman Social Justice Fellow Reflects On Police Violence, Protests” by Lashawn Hudson, WABE where ATL meets NPR, June 5, 2020.

“Swift Charges Against Atlanta Officers Met With Relief and Skepticism” by Richard Fausset, The New York Times, June 30, 2020.

“Tasing Of Two College Students In Atlanta Provokes More Outrage Amid Protests” by Emily Green, MPR News, June 3, 2020.

"To End Violence, We Must Invest in Care, Not in Cops" by Jaeden Johnson, The Daily News, June 22 2020

“2 officers fired after video shows college students pulled from car, tased” by Elwyn Lopez, Atlanta, May 31, 2020.

Washington D.C.

"D.C. Council Passes Emergency Police-Reform Bill, Delays Cutting Size of MPD" by Martin Austermuhle, NPR, June 10 2020.

“Howard Professors Break Down Issues Surrounding Police Violence and Public Protests” by Misha Cornelius, Howard University, June 3, 2020.

“54 Organizations Demand A Public Hearing on Racism & Violence by Washington DC Police” by Sue Udry, Defending Rights and Decent, March 1, 2018.

“Resources to teach the history of policing in America that you won’t find in textbooks” by Valerie Strauss, Washington Post, June 9, 2020.

"Washington D.C.'s Police Reforms Fail to Address Structural Problems" by Elisa Epstein, Human Rights Watch, June 12 2020

“Youth-led group behind Columbia’s Black Lives Matter protest discusses what it takes to organize in 2020” by Ana Faguy, The Baltimore Sun, June 5, 2020.

Minneapolis

George Floyd & Anti-Racist Street Art Project Database of street art Created by: Dr. Todd Lawrence, Dr. Paul Lorah, and Dr. Heather Shirey with the Urban Art Mapping Research Project and student research collaborators Tiaryn Daniels, Hannah Shogren-Smith, and Chioma Uwagwu. Based in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA

• Kyeland Jackson, “This Minnesota Project Is Building a Map of Every George Floyd Mural in the World,” PBS Newshour, June 26, 2020.

“Black and Asian Solidarity”- Cedar Artist Collective members Tou SaiK Lee join with Cedar Executive Director David Hamilton to MC “We Believe in Unity- Black and Asian Solidarity”, a program on Thursday, July 2nd at 7:30 p.m. to explore the potential for cross-cultural solidarity in the current movement for justice for Black Lives. Find ongoing programming on Cedar Cultural Center Public Access Channel.

"'The Community is Tired. The Community is Hurt': Twin Cities Musicians Talk George Floyd Uprising" by Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2020.

The New Dawn Theatre, Penumbra, Pillsbury House, Yellow Tree, Mixed Blood, Gremlin, and Plymouth Congregational Church created ‘A Breath for George’ to memorialize him through a variety of songs, poems, and interviews. It runs from June 14 to July 9 at various locations around the Twin Cities and the state.

In his spoken word poem ‘My Mother’s Words,’ teenager Josh Nkhata adds to the current climate with his own experiences as a young person of color. He crafted the poem after watching instagram stories as the nation and Minneapolis reacted to the death of George Floyd. It is raw and powerful, and highlights the brokenness of our society today in less than five minutes.

When Philando Castile was killed, artists came together to craft a mural honoring him. It was created in the public sphere, which gave ownership of the mural to the broader community, but the plywood mural was eventually removed. The Twin Cities and communities across the nation and the world are engaged in conversations abou how to preserve the protest art generated in the wake of George Floyd's murder.

Walker Art Center's Nina Mackie's interview with Aruna D'Souza, author of Whitewalling: Art, Race, and Protest

Penumbra Theater - Driven by the mission of voicing the African-American experience, Penumbra Theater has made a name for itself as the only professional African-American theater in Minnesota. Founded in 1976, Penumbra Theater grew out of the Black Arts Movement and quickly gained a reputation for authentic productions that centered the African-American experience and tradition. In addition to theatrical productions, Penumbra Theater works closely with the community to provide opportunities for employment and employs more people of color than all the other theaters in Minneapolis combined. Penumbra Theater is not only known for their theatrical productions. They also have a summer institute program, which teaches leadership skills to young artists, multiple equity training courses, and internships for students which focus on art and social justice.

Mapping Black Identities Exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art "challenges the notion of Black identity as monolithic [...] this exhibition seeks to amplify underrepresented voices and create connections around the concept of Blackness in contemporary art across time and place.

Atlanta

Charly Palmer, an artist inspired by Ezra Jack Keats who utilizes vibrant colors and patterns in his work, claims that "art should change the temperature of the room," which his certainly does. His website includes images of his artwork that are available.

Art and Activism in Atlanta explores the interaction between art and activism within the public sphere, specifically referring to the role of graffiti and vandalism. It also talks about the role art plays in calling communities to action and encouraging change, looking at how the creation of art within a public space offers ownership of the art to the greater public while also challenging them to face their preconceived notions of the world.

The traveling exhibit entitled "Speak What Must Be Spoken" that included one-act plays, songs, dances, and artwork. Artists of all mediums joined together to show their response to various social justice issues, including police brutality and gun control/violence from January through May.

Washington D.C.

The Washington Peace Center compiled a list of organizations, artist collectives, and events where artists use their art to promote change within their communities.

National Conversations

This article "How Artists Are Responding to the Killing of George Floyd" refers to the reaction of many artists across the nation to the death of George Floyd and the responding protests against police brutality. However, this is not just a national response, but an international one. The site includes images from artists arround the world who are creating murals, paintings, spoken word poems, songs, raps, etc. to memorialize George Floyd and draw attention to the circumstances surrounding his murder.

This article "Music News: Artists respond to George Floyd's killing with new and renewed songs of protest" includes links to several videos of songs that were created in response to the death of George Floyd and mentions similar, pre-existing songs of protest that have regained popularity in the wake of his death.

Twin Cities

Black Lives Matter - Minneapolis Facebook page

BLM’s mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes..and more.

Black Visions Collective

BVC aims to center their work in healing and transformative justice principles, intentionally develop the organization's core “DNA” to ensure sustainability…and more.

Campaign Zero

Camping Zone aims to limit police interventions, improve community interactions, and ensure accountability....and more.

Community United against Police Brutality

An all-volunteer organization to take on police brutality 24/7/365 and to work on day-to-day abuses with the belief in the idea that taking them on could reduce the number of more serious incidents.

Center for Police Equity

As a research and action think tank, Center for Policing Equity (CPE) produces analyses identifying and reducing the causes of racial disparities in law enforcement.

Minnesota Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC)

NOC is a member-led non-profit organization focused on the intersection of race, the economy and public policy

MPD 150

The goal of this initiative is to shift the discussion of police violence in Minneapolis from one of procedural reforms to one of meaningful structural change.

Reclaim the Block - Also providing a list of other organizations to support

Reclaim the Block organizes Minneapolis community and city council members to move money from the police department into other areas of the city’s budget that truly promote community health and safety...and more.

Swing Left, Anti-Racism Action Hub

Organizations aiming to dismantle systemic racism in America...and more.

Take Action MN

Take Action Minnesota is a multi-racial people’s organization building power for a government and economy that works for all.

Women for Political Change

Women for Political Change (WFPC) holistically invests in the leadership and political power of young women and trans & non-binary individuals throughout Minnesota.

Atlanta

Atlanta Citizens Review Board

The purpose of the legislation is to ensure that city departments directly responsible for public safety, particularly the Police Department and the Department of Corrections have the proper support of the government and its various agencies.

Black Lives Matter Atlanta

We are unapologetically Black in our positioning, and committed to collectively, lovingly and courageously working for freedom and justice for all Black people (and by extension all people) regardless....and more.

Georgia Justice Project

The Georgia Justice Project is working to change Georgia’s counter-productive laws that keep the 4.3 million people with a criminal record (the majority of whom are low-wealth) from becoming economically self-sufficient following an arrest or conviction.

Racial Justice Action Center

RJAC’S mission is to engage in transformative organizing to build the grassroots leadership, power, and capacity of marginalized communities to win political, economic, and social transformation in the Atlanta Metro Area.

Southerners on New Ground

SONG envisions a sustainable South that embodies the best of its freedom traditions and works towards the transformation of our economic, social, spiritual, and political relationships.

Washington D.C.

Anti-Racism at Fair Budget Coalition

The Fair Budget Coalition advocates for budget and public policy initiatives that address poverty and human needs in the District of Columbia.

Popular Democracy & Popular Democracy From The Ground Up Toolkit

The Center for Popular Democracy works to create equity, opportunity and a dynamic democracy in partnership with high-impact base-building organizations, organizing alliances, and progressive unions.

Racial Equity in D.C.

Racial Equity in D.C. works toward racial equity in DC in many ways and believes that the government should fight racism, not enable it.

Racial Justice ACLU of D.C.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nationwide non-profit, non-partisan, membership organization devoted to ensuring free speech, equal rights, and other civil liberties.

Stop Police Terror Project DC

An organization in the Washington D.C. area committed to changing the system of racist, militarized policing in the nation’s capital...and more.

Centers and Students Organizing for Social Justice Across 4 Campuses

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Amnesty International at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities

A University chapter of the world's largest human rights advocacy and awareness organization that is a non-partisan, non-political and non-religious group of activists working for the betterment of humans all over the world.

Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Minnesota (SDS)

Organizations that seek to create a sustained community of educational and political concern; one bringing together liberals and radicals, activists and scholars, students, and workers. It maintains a vision of a democratic society, where at all levels people have control of the decisions and resources that affect their lives.

Minnesota Justice Foundation Student Chapter at the University of Minnesota

Justice Foundation dedicated to providing an opportunity for students to meet and work together with other students on issues of social justice and public interest law...and more.

International Justice Mission at UMN

A group dedicated to ending slavery for good by partnering with the International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org) to advocate for the 40+ million slaves in the world today.

College Democrats at the University of Minnesota

The purpose of the College Democrats at the University of Minnesota is to promote the candidates and issues of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and to work for progressive social change on campus and at all levels of government.

White Coats for Black Lives

The group’s mission is to eliminate racial bias in the practice of medicine and recognize racism as a threat to the health and well-being of people of color.

Coalition for Progressive Change

A coalition of students building power in our community through grassroots organizing and activism.

Human Rights Student Association

An avenue for the U of M community to be able to learn and engage with human rights programming...and more.

Spelman College

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Collage division of the NAACP that focuses on encouraging students to get involved in social change...and more.

Social Justice Fellows Program

Social Justice Fellows Program is a living and learning programmatic initiative that creates opportunities for a select group of Spelman women to “make a choice to change the world through social justice advocacy.”

Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Campus Center

An inaugural sites for the first Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Campus Centers at Spelman.

National Action Network

One of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda...and more.

Women's Research & Resource Center (WRRC)

The Women’s Research and Resource Center (WRRC) nurtures the students' critical thinking about many issues, including human rights, healthcare, and leadership development...and more.

Howard University

Howard University College Democrats

A student-run organization dedicated to advancing the goals and ideals of the Democratic Party.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

NAACP to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.

National Council of Negro Women

The National Council of Negro Women, Howard University Section is a section of the National Council of Negro Women Incorporated, which seeks to create a just society in which the quality of life is enhanced for all people...and more.

Morehouse College

The Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership

AYCGL is comprised of four interdependent institutes (areas of programming) designed to provide institutional, national and international leadership.

Leadership Studies Program

Students in this program will both study and emulate these exemplary leaders, both women and men, and they will seek inspiration and guidance from diverse leadership styles or models.

The Institute For Social Justice Inquiry And Praxis

The Institute for Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis serves as a social justice hub of AYCGL that utilizes "freedom" theories - in real time - in ways that teach, develop and implement solutions to social justice inequalities, particularly as they relate to peoples of Africa and its Diaspora.

The Institute For International And Experimental Education

The Institute focuses on co-curricular and integrative learning experiences designed to prepare students for global and domestic leadership.

Student Life or Office of Student Life

The Office of Student Life (OSL), supports the mission of Morehouse College and the retention, progression, and graduation of men by providing opportunities through registered student organizations and Student Life sponsored activities that are designed to cultivate learning, improve student development, provide leadership opportunities, compliment academic programs, and enhance character development.

Campus Activities

Student Leadership Program

The Office of Student Life aligns with the college’s mission to s to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service.

Institute for Research, Civic Engagement, and Policy

An Institute whose primary mission is to bring together individuals and groups to study and develop solutions to complex social problems, this institute will lead investigation and problem-solving for the Andrew Young Center of Global Leadership.

Articles

“A Politics of Our Time: Reworking Afro-Asian Solidarity in the Wake of George Floyd’s Killing” by Yuichiro Onishi, UNMARGIN, June 2020.

"Big Dreams and Bold Steps Toward a Police Free Future" by Rachel Herzing, Truthout, September 16 2015

"Demilitarization of Police Means Disrupting the Army-to-Police Pipeline" by Suzanne Gordon and Steve Early, Jacobin Magazine, June 19 2020

"Dismantling the Police, Reimagining Public Safety" by Joshua Page, Michelle Phelps, and Joe Soss

"Envisioning Abolition Democracy" by Allegra McLeod, Harvard Law Review

Four Ideas to Replace Traditional Police Officers by Roge Karma, Vox, June 24 2020

Reformist vs. Abolitionist Approaches to Policing by Critical Resistance

"Prison Abolition and Grounded Justice" by Allegra McLeod, UCLA Law Review, 2015

"US Students Call on Universities to Dismantle and Defund Campus Policing" by Michael Sainato, The Guardian, June 24 2020

“Ways to Help Fight Anti-Black Police Violence” by Mazz Ali, Earth Justice, June 5, 2020.

Podcasts

NPR In Black America "is a long-running, nationally syndicated program dedicated to all facets of the African American experience. John Hanson profiles a diverse selection of current and historically significant figures whose stories help illuminate life in Black America. Guests include civil rights leaders, educators, artists, athletes and writers describing their experiences, achievements and work in chronicling and advancing the quality of African American life."

Panel Discussion on "Police Abolition: What Does it Mean?"

Ruth Wilson Gilmore on Prison Abolition, The Intercept Podcast (2020)

Scholar's Strategy Network Podcast- No Jargon presents weekly interviews with top researchers on politics, policy problems, and social issues: Episode #225 (“Black Lives Matter, Police, and America’s Democracy”, Interview with Vesla M. Weaver, JohnsHopkins U.- June 24, 2020; Episode #222 (“Violence in Resistance”, interview with Ashley M. Howard, U of Iowa, June 2, 2020; Episode #206 (“Creating Inclusive Campuses”, interview with Bedelia Nicola Richards, U. of Richmond, Feb. 12, 2020); Episode #207 (“From the Tea Party to the Resistance”, interview with Leah E. Gose, Harvard U, Feb. 20, 2020)

"What Does 'Dismantling the Police' Really Mean?" with Michelle Phelps, Dialogue Minnesota (June 26 2020)

Reading Lists

"Syllabus on the Minneapolis Uprising" by Adam Beldsoe, Department of Geography at University of Minnesota

The New Press: An Anti-racist reading list

Public Books: see their sections on Global Black History, articles in their Politics section, in their Capitalism section, and in their Higher Education section.

University of Michigan Anti-Racist Reading List

University of Minnesota Press: Free Online Books on Racial Justice until 8/31/2020, also providing a collection of titles that can help contribute to necessary dialogue

Books

Angela Davis, Are Prisons Obsolete? (2003)

Barbara Ransby. 2018. Making All Black Lives Matter: Reimagining Freedom in the 21^st Century. (Oakland, CA: University of California Press

Eddie S. Glaude Jr., 2016. Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul (N.Y.: Broadway Books)

Eddie S. Glaude Jr., 2007. In a Shade of Blue: Pragmatism and the Politics of Black America (Chicago, The University of Chicago Press).

James Forman Jr., Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America (2017)

Jennifer Eberhardt, Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do (2019)

Jill Leovy, Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America (2015)

Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness (2012)

Radley Barko, The Rise of the Warrior Cop (2013)

Past: View recordings of past events

East Side Freedom Library, hosted a series of conversations how the crises are impacting the way activists are thinking about issues ranging from police violence to climate change, labor rights to voting rights, public health to neighborhood well being, and more broadly, incremental reforms versus deeper change.

University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Center for the Study of Politics Governance Zoom Webinar:

• “Black Lives Matter and the 2020 Elections", with Professor Michael Minta (U of MN), Ashley Jardina (Duke U), Christopher S. Parker (U of Washington-Seattle), and LaFleur Stephens-Dougan (Princeton U);

• Wednesday July 15, 12:00-1:00 pm CT; register here.

Dissent features:

• "Dismantle Racial Capitalism", Zoom webinar on racial capitalism during a pandemic and election year with William P. Jones, Marcia Chatelain, K. Sabeel Rahman, and Olúfémi O. Táíwò

• Thursday July 9, 7 pm EST; RSVP here

Antiracism Study Dialogue Circles provide antiracism dialogue experiences that build awareness, knowledge, communication across structures of domination, motivation and commitment. ASDIC also offers consulting and custom workshops to businesses and organizations seeking to improve their capacity and competence in interacting with communities and individuals of color. Many people and organizations want to come together across racial and ethnic lines, but they don’t know how to get started. Antiracism Study Dialogue Circles (or ASDiC) grew from a desire to be such a catalyst. ASDIC helps you and others explore your own formation as “raced” persons within the system of U.S. racism. Our aim is to transform your understanding of racism and white privilege and inspire you to help create a more racially just world.

• Attend an upcoming workshop

  • WE CAN'T BREATHE: Conversations on Systemic Racism Part 4 - Sunday July 19 2020

  • Anti-Racism Study Dialogue Circle - September 14, 2020 until November 23 2020

  • Addressing Race-Based Beliefs: Sleight of Mouth Patterns & Practice - September 15 2020 until October 6 2020

Georgetown Law, Rethinking Policing Series: Activism and Reform:

• • "Justice for George Floyd: Understanding Responding to Minneapolis”(June 5th)

  • “Transforming the Police" (June 11th);

  • “Preparing the Next Generation: Activism and Healing”(June 18th)

  • “Police Abolition: What Does It Mean” (June 24th)

University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Center for the Study of Politics Governance Zoom Webinar:

• • “The Minnesota Paradox” with Dr. Samuel Myers, Dr. Joe Soss, and Dr. May Dao Hang, (June 30th)