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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934
March 30 - April 5, 2023
Vol. 89
No. 35
Phone: 612-827-4021
www.spokesman-recorder.com
Family demands transparency in Robbinsdale ‘accidental drowning’ By Chrisleen Herard An edited version of this article is being republished courtesy of Howard University News Service.
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halil Ahmad Azad wanted his long-time girlfriend, Carvona Henderson, to take five pregnancy tests to make sure it was real. He was going to be a father. It was all he talked about—a moment he waited for his whole life—until the early hours of July 3, 2022, when he was pulled over by police. It was the last time he would be seen alive. Seven weeks later, his daughter was born. “He was just trying to do anything to see his child,” Henderson said.
The fatal traffic stop It was almost 1:30 in the morning when officers in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, said they attempted to pull over a driver of a white SUV for “probable cause DWI.” Instead of a simple traffic stop, a chase ensued. “We’ve got a vehicle that’s fleeing
from me and looks like it’s gonna him go out or putting him in solitary.” him as “K” and that there were no According to police, during the traf- signs of him being drunk. crash here… Driver’s bailing,” Offi“Driver bailed towards the lake, cer Tony Heifort is heard saying fic stop last July two passengers—a man and a woman—exited the car and headed eastbound,” Heifort reported on police body camera footage. The SUV hit a curb and crashed told police they didn’t know Azad. The on his radio. A state patrol helicopter into a tree. Azad, who reportedly had woman later said that she only knew with a thermal imaging system, police K-9s and officers from the an active warrant at the time, Plymouth Police Department fled, both in fear of his life and were called onto the scene. in hopes that he wouldn’t get A hat was eventually found. arrested and miss witnessing However, after about an hour the birth of his first child. of looking, police claim they “He’s had run-ins where failed to locate Azad and never the police have beaten him came into direct contact with before,” Henderson said. “So, him that day. “He’s long gone he’s scared of the police.” In at this point,” Officer Joshua addition to the past run-ins Heasley said minutes before and alleged brutality, Monturning off his body camera. ica Lopez, a close friend of Azad was found lifeless, Khalil, recounts the times floating face down in Crystal Azad spent in jail. Lake two days after his run-in “Whenever I would go see with police. His skin, stained him, he would tell me about purple and blue, was swollen instances with, not even and disfigured. His eyes projust the police, but with the truded from their sockets. His correctional officers that nose was slanted from being were in there about how broken and his face torn with they would be treating him,” Khalil Ahmad Azad would have turned 25 on scars. Lopez said. “Like even with March 25. Photo courtesy of Facebook This was no longer the Azad just small things, not letting
who once stood six feet tall with brown locs and a warm, welcoming smile. He was unrecognizable. “When I first saw the [autopsy photos], I literally had a physical reaction and jumped,” said Traheren Crews, founder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota. “I mean, I had heard about this earlier in the summer. But to actually see it?... They said he was beaten worse than Emmett Till. Then once I saw the photos I was like, ‘Wow!’” Liah Milli, a family friend, had a similar reaction. “I didn’t even know what to say. I thought it was a joke,” she said. “Nobody believed that was him…’Cause you know, Kalil was a handsome person. He was handsome.” Lopez, like many others, thought it was unreal. “I just felt like I froze. I still can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. I can’t put it to him because it just, it looks nothing like him. His whole face is distorted. It’s not even the man that I know.” “It’s something you literally see in a movie,” Henderson said. “You ■ See AZAD on page 5
YWCA officials, WWII Veteran Gordon Kirk supporters rally for honored on his 100th birthday change at State Capitol By James L. Stroud, Jr. Contributing Writer
By Angela Rose Myers Contributing Writer
Spearheaded by the YWCA Minneapolis, the nonprofit’s representatives from all over arly Monday morning, the state came to advance March 27, volunteers, YWCA bills and its mission to community members and eliminate racism and empower state representatives gathered women across Minnesota. at the state Capitol to celebrate Some of the state officials “YWCA Day on the Hill.” The who spoke at the rally includday started with a rally at 10 ed Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. a.m. followed by meetings Paul), Rep. Emma Greenman with state legislators. The (DFL-Minneapolis), Rep. Matt YWCA also hosted a special Norris (DFL-Blaine) and audience with Lieutenant Rep. Samantha Sencer-Myra Governor Peggy Flanagan. ■ See YWCA on page 5
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n Thursday, March 23, WWII veteran and long-time St. Paul resident Gordon Kirk joined the exclusive demographic known as centenarians, celebrating his 100th birthday with a little help from family and friends. A little over 100 people gathered at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center in St. Paul in the early afternoon for a birthday party in Kirk’s honor. The event was organized by the Hallie Q. Brown Men’s Retirement Club. “I still feel like a young man. I don’t feel like I’m 100,” Kirk told the MSR. “I don’t do anything special. I do eat a big breakfast every day, but no special diet because I eat everything you put on the table.” Known for his love of community and advocacy work with Minnesota veterans, Kirk first served in the army under
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(l-r) Governor Tim Walz, Gordon Kirk, and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter celebrate Kirk’s 100th birthday. Photo by James L. Stroud, Jr. General Patton’s Vanguard as a quartermaster during a time when U.S. troops were segregated. After the war he returned home and joined the Twin Star VFW Post 8854, becoming a life member in
1964. From 1995 to 1996 Kirk became the first African American to be elected as state watch commander of the Minnesota Department of VFW. Currently, he still works
as an advocate for veterans at the VA Hospital. Asked how much longer he would continue to advocate for veterans, Kirk said, “Until the day I die.” The celebration was upbeat ■ See KIRK on page 5
(l-r) YWCA Minneapolis President and CEO Shelley Carthen Watson and Racial Justice Vice President Angela Myles Photo by Dominica Asberry-Lindquist
In wake of tragedy, St. Paul schools weigh safety options By Cole Miska Contributing Writer
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t. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is reconsidering its approach to safety in its schools after the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old student Devin Scott at Harding Senior High School last month. SPPS Chief of Operations and Administration Jackie Turner said the district is considering several new approaches for not just Harding, but all schools. “Every school is designed a little differently as far as their facilities are concerned. They may have different places in the building that might need support,” Turner said. “Every building’s a little different. We’re asking buildings to take a look at that and then collectively bring forth suggestions for what they can do to
monitors or more support during passing time between classes. “As you all know, safety is a complicated subject,” said SPPS Superintendent Joe Gothard at a press conference last month. “There’re many right answers. And for us to land on one that is going to keep everybody safe—there is no solution to that. There is no quick fix.” One potential security measure that is being debated in the district and St. Paul community is whether to return school resource officers Harding Senior High School where a student was fatally stabbed last month. (SROs) to SPPS schools. SROs, who Photos courtesy of Saint Paul Public Schools were local police officers, were removed from public schools in both their schools. The committees will St. Paul and Minneapolis in 2020, improve.” SPPS has formed onsite safety act in an advisory capacity to the in the aftermath of the murder of committees composed of students, school board, which will have the George Floyd by Minneapolis police parents, staff, and external com- ultimate say on what measures are officer Derek Chauvin. On Feb. 28, SPPS held a special munity partners to gather sugges- implemented. Turner said that some tions on safety improvements at committees have asked for more hall school board meeting and allowed
staff, students and community to voice their opinions on SROs. Brooke Steigauf, a second-year teacher at Global Arts Plus, was adamantly against returning SROs to schools, citing the history of interactions between race and policing in St. Paul. “How can we work towards equity in SPPS if we have shaken hands with a system that has historically and presently been used to protect property and oppress Black, Brown, and Indigenous people the most,” Steigauf said. “That’s also ignoring the loss of Amir Locke, of Winston Smith, of Philando Castile, of Yia Xiong, and so many more that have deeply hurt and traumatized our families. This is the opposite of safety.“ Nate Giles, a special education teacher at Highland Park Senior, ■ See SCHOOLS on page 5