The demonstration this year saw a lower turnout as it fell on the same day as a Palestine solidarity protest four miles away that was attacked by a car just hours earlier. Regardless, the gathering at the precinct provided an important space for families to speak, be heard, grieve together, and gather in community with activists. The protest was co-organized and hosted by Michelle Gross of Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB), who has helped organize each year since the national day of protest started 1995.

Several family members impacted by police killings from various interactions and those who have loved ones who they say have been wrongfully incarcerated spoke during the protest. Many families working with Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence spoke, including the founder Toshira Garraway, who also helped organize the protest along with Gross and a slew of others.

Trahern Crews of Black Lives Matter Minnesota demanded that the city put the money they plan to use for a new 3rd Precinct into a fund to pay for restitution for the victims of the Minneapolis Police Department’s violence. Crews noted “protesting works” and said because of pressure from his family and activists, the death of his nephew, Hardel Sherrell, while in-custody, is being re-investigated and after protests over transparency on Khalil Azad’s death in Robbinsdale, authorities opened an investigation. He pressed the families to never give up.

Amir Locke’s uncle, Andrew Tyler, spoke about the recent documentary he made titled, “No Knock – No Charge? The Amir Locke Story.” He was able to procure 56 body camera videos from the Minneapolis Police killing of Locke in February 2022 and put them into a documentary. The film will be screening at the University of Minnesota’s Coffman Union Theater on November 11, Locke’s birthday, from 6 – 9 p.m. View a trailer for the film.