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Celebrating 90 years of Black journalistic excellence.
November 7 -13, 2024
Vol. 91
Activists demand action, not apologies from police By Cynthia Moothart Managing Editor
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
No. 15
MIRROR IMAGE
apolis police chief.”
BLACK WOMEN VOTE FOR MORE IN 2024
What happened ekima Levy ArmOn Oct. 23, following a Shannan Paul, 51 strong’s voice cracks year of escalating threats, inIn the story of our country, there are moments that are much bigger than partisan politics—they’re with emotion as she timidation, and assaults, John personal. Voting for Kamala Harris was one of those moments. Historic is a word I never imagined I’d recounts events leading up to Sawchak shot Moturi in the get to use this way in my lifetime. I’ve been around for plenty of “firsts,” like when I was able to vote and following the shooting of neck—fracturing his spine, for Barack Obama. But a Black woman in the White House? I had started to think that was as likely as Davis Moturi, sparing no criti- breaking two ribs, and causing finding decent parking downtown. cism of the two people she a concussion. Sawchak shot For so long, Black women were only cast as side characters, the ones who save the day but don’t get the holds most responsible, out- his firearm from a window on glory. The sassy Best Friend, but not the Effective Leader. Honestly, I’d lost faith in my country showing side the gunman himself: Min- the second floor of his home real support for one of Us as a leader. Yet here We are. neapolis Police Chief Brian next door while Moturi was Kamala Harris is only a few years older than I am, so this also felt like casting my vote for my deserved O’Hara and Minneapolis May- doing yard work. older Sister. When I went to vote, I spent more time than ever filling in my ballot. I wanted every line or Jacob Frey. Sawchak, 54, is white; Moto be distinct, every circle filled with intention. I wanted my vote for Kamala Harris to be unmistakably “They’re doing the bare turi, 34, is Black. clear and to ensure nothing about my ballot could be questioned or dismissed. minimum, and they’ll continue On Oct. 24—one day after to do so unless or until there’s the shooting—Sawchak was This vote felt like a pledge to history, that the work being done by Black Women could be noticed.We an uprising,” she told the MSR. charged in Hennepin County asked other Black women how it felt to finally have this moment. We’re making it “We’re still here; we’re not go- District Court with secondclear, circle by circle, that history has finally caught up to us. ing anywhere.” degree attempted murder, Levy Armstrong—founder first-degree assault, stalking Victoria Davis, 81 of the nonprofit Racial Jus- and harassment. He remained tice Network and former at large for five days until I voted for Shirley Chisholm in 1972, but she wasn’t endorsed by the Democratic Party. So president of the Minneapolis community pressure forced Kamala isn’t the first Black woman I voted for who was running for president, but she’s gone the farthest. chapter of the NAACP—led a the police to act, after which group of community activists officers apprehended the I had the belief that someone else would come along. I always hoped for it. We always hope for who filled the chamber, ante- shooter in the early hours of it. We try to plan for it and step up. The fact that she’s come so far in so short a time—she will be a motivating force for so many young women. chamber and hallway during Oct. 28. the Oct. Sawchak Like Kamala, I went to an HBCU. Kamala went to Howard; I’m a Spelman graduate. It’s a 31 Minnealready apolis City faced three Cedereaka McHenry, 48 Sofie Holiday, 18 Council outstandmeeting ing warrants During the elections you Being a young Black woman voting Sawchak was a to dein Hennehear all kinds of ads about in this election is very exciting. This mand that pin County everything and everyone. To be able to vote for a Black known threat to being my first election year and seeing woman to be president has shown me how far we come; I feel O’Hara for ongoing the community a Black woman running is so inspiring. we are truly ready for change. I want my granddaughter to be fired threats to It’s amazing to see her fighting for the long before. say, “When I grow up I want to be president.” and that a n e i g h b o r s . reproductive rights of women all around She will see we had a Black woman fully indePolice said the world. I will vote already do it. Someone that pendent that they because I know my looks like her. vote counts third-parsought to and it will make ty invesdetain Sawa difference tigation chak startfor everyone. be launched into the city’s ing in April. Eva Morrison, 87 actions in the case. The group Over the past year, Moalso seeks compensation for turi and his wife, Caroline, reAs a Black woman born in the South at a time before voting Moturi given the police de- ported at least 19 instances of was legal for us, having a Black female candidate is almost like partment’s failure to protect vandalism, property destruca dream. I was born in the South. As a teenager I recall my him. tion, theft, harassment, hate parents attempting to vote and them having to take a test, which I later discovered were designed for them to fail. Instead, the council re- speech, verbal threats, and cessed, forcing activists to physical assault since moving I was skeptical because of the violence associated with make their case before a di- into their home in the 3500 Blacks voting, I always wanted to vote because we were minished body without re- block of Grand Avenue in taught this is how change is made. In 1959, during the cording their demands in the South Minneapolis. Several Great Migration, we (my husband and children) moved official record of council busi- months before Sawchak’s arto the North for a better life, as many Blacks did. ness. rest, Sheriff’s Department Today, some of that same fear has resurfaced. I am 100% in support of Kamala Harris! Women tend to Taking the mic, Michelle wanted posters went up have genuine compassion for others and are inclined Gross, founder of Commu- around the neighborhood deto help those in need, regardless of their political nities United Against Police claring him “armed and danstance. I am confident that Kamala’s leadership will Brutality, said, “It didn’t need gerous” and advising residents bring positive change to happen because the Min- to call 911 should they see neapolis police should have him. done their job. [Then] they But Sawchak was a known took five days to arrest this threat to the community long Symone Morrison, 21 man—and I don’t know how before that. you justify that.” In August 2016, a HenI am eager to be a part of someThe council approved a city nepin County judge ordered thing so important and impactauditor review of the case. Sawchak committed to a ful. Especially as a young African Frey later released a state- mental health treatment facilAmerican woman, I think it’s important to have my voice ment saying he supports the ity after a doctor determined heard. I urged my friends council’s action but leaving no that he suffered from several and family to vote and let their voices be heard so we can doubt about O’Hara’s fate: He psychological disorders and do better for our future and our children’s future. I am so “will continue to be the Minne■ See VOTE on page 5 ■ See SHOOTING on page 5 grateful to be a part of history!
City’s vision for George Floyd Square so far gets mixed reviews By Alexzia Shobe Staff Writer
Photos by Chris Juhn
fice of Public Service, said three values guided their efforts: “Repairing the colleche city of Minneapolis tive harms experienced by the revealed its “vision community; honoring George document” for George Floyd Square as an active meFloyd Square at its final dinner morial space; and centering dialogue with the community the needs of the community.” on Oct. 29. Following Floyd’s Community members came murder in 2020, the site be- out to view the plans, includcame a memorial honoring ing Willie Robinson, a South victims of police brutality—of- Minneapolis resident since fering reflection, healing, and 1979. “I always want the commutual aid. Understanding munity, especially the young that the community should people, to have a voice,” he lead efforts to renew that said. “We have to listen to space, the city initiated an en- each other if we’re going to gagement process in 2021, change anything.” leading to its development The plans for George Floyd plans. Square aim to tackle many Alexander Kado, senior community concerns. At a meproject manager with the Of- dia briefing last week, Nathan ■ See GFS on page 5
Coster, transportation planning and programming manager at Minneapolis Public Works, provided an overview of the development. “We’re going to be adding over half an acre of new greenspace within the right of way, and it will be managed by Public Works. It will be park space with a lot of tree canopy, but also will have a focus on stormwater management.” The city also pledged to reestablish Metro Transit’s DLine bus and Route 5 transit service along Chicago Avenue, including new stops south of 38th Street. “This is the region’s highest ridership line, and along this line one in four people don’t have access to
a vehicle. This line is one of the most diverse lines that has access to jobs and housing throughout the region,” Coster said. Other additions include a raised traffic circle in the intersection, wider sidewalks, and more streetside lighting. City officials emphasized the need for infrastructure improvements to address safety and accessibility. The city’s plan to reconstruct the streets aims to replace crumbling water lines, ensure the streets are more easily used by buses and emergency vehicles, and maintain space to accommodate new bikeways. “The street really needs to be reconstructed. It has se■ See ? on page 5