kmoj's Blog

REPORT: Ellison to Elevate Charge and Charge Three Other Officers

Posted by kmoj — Wed, 3 Jun 2020 17:32 GMT

MPR News is reporting that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will announce later today he is boosting the charge against ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin to second-degree murder in the killing of George Floyd, and charging the three other officers who were fired in the incident, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Wednesday. "This is another important step for justice," Klobuchar said on Twitter. Chauvin was initially charged by Hennepin County prosecutors with third-degree murder and ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/report-ellison-to-elevate-charge-and-charge-three-other-officers/

Spike Lee Releases Powerful Video Juxtaposing 'Do The Right Thing' With Murders Of George Floyd & Er

Posted by kmoj — Wed, 3 Jun 2020 14:33 GMT

When it comes to speaking out about social injustice, Spike Lee is known for not holding his tongue. On Monday (June 1), during an interview with CNN over the current unrest taking place in cities across the country, Spike Lee premiered a short video featuring clips from the intense and crucial scene in his iconic film, Do The Right Thing, Juxtaposed with the real videos of the murders of both Eric Garner and George Floyd ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/spike-lee-releases-powerful-video-juxtaposing-do-the-right-thing-with-murders-of-george-floyd-eric-garner/

Jay-Z & Team Roc Takes Out Full-Page Newspaper Ads Dedicated To George Floyd

Posted by kmoj — Wed, 3 Jun 2020 14:33 GMT

The time is way past making where you stand known. Today (June 2), Jay-Z and Team Roc have taken out full-page newspaper ads expressing their support of George Floyd, the Black man whose murder at the hands of police has inspired protests that have gripped the nation and the world. Source: The Urban Daily via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/jay-z-team-roc-takes-out-full-page-newspaper-ads-dedicated-to-george-floyd/

Memorial and Funeral Services Set for George Floyd

Posted by kmoj — Wed, 3 Jun 2020 14:27 GMT

By Holly Yan and Theresa Waldrop, CNN Updated 4:59 PM ET, Tue June 2, 2020George Floyd died after an officer put his knee on Floyd's neck for more than 8 minutes. (CNN)Services honoring George Floyd, who died while being arrested in Minneapolis, will take place in three states over the course of six days.A memorial service will be held in Minneapolis on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., family attorney Benjamin Crump said. The Rev. Al Sharpton ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/memorial-services-set-for-george-floyd/

Human Rights Investigation Into Minneapolis Police Department

Posted by kmoj — Tue, 2 Jun 2020 23:52 GMT

Governor Walz announced the Minnesota Department of Human Rights will begin an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) after filing a civil rights charge related to the death of George Floyd. This investigation into policies, procedures, and practices over the past 10 years will determine if the MPD has engaged in systemic discriminatory practices towards people of color and ensure any such practices are stopped. Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero will lead the ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/human-rights-investigation-into-minneapolis-police-department/

KMOJ Is A Resource

Posted by kmoj — Tue, 2 Jun 2020 19:39 GMT

Hello Family, If you look to the right side of the KMOJFM.com website, you will see a graphic leading you to up-to-date information regarding COVID-19. On our front page, you'll notice three public notices concerning the murder of George Floyd. You should also know that if you or someone you know was involved in any of the demonstrations for George Floyd, the Minnesota Department of Health will be setting up COVID-19 testing sites near those ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/kmoj-is-a-resource/

National Legal Aid For George Floyd

Posted by kmoj — Tue, 2 Jun 2020 19:28 GMT

NLADA joins with our community of public defenders, civil legal aid providers and client advocates in mourning the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police and calling for justice. Mr. Floyd's death is another heartbreak, another unnecessary loss of life from the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers. The nation has seen the video and watched in horror as Mr. Floyd pled for his life to no avail. That day, Mr. ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/national-legal-aid-for-george-floyd/

Sabathani Community Center is Heartbroken

Posted by kmoj — Tue, 2 Jun 2020 19:24 GMT

We are heartbroken and horrified by the tragic killing of George Floyd. The events of the last week have made clear the deep trauma and heartache present in our community. We are confronted by the senseless and familiar story of an unarmed African American man dying after an interaction with a police officer. Again, this story happened in own own backyard. While this is familiar, Sabathani in no way accepts this as normal. Our hearts are with the family and friends ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/sabathani-community-center-is-heartbroken/

Minneapolis City Council Statement on Department of Human Rights Action

Posted by kmoj — Tue, 2 Jun 2020 19:20 GMT

"George Floyd should be alive today. Mr. Floyd's death is just one instance of unthinkable violence against Black men by law enforcement generally and the Minneapolis Police Department specifically. Our community, especially communities of color, has a deep mistrust of law enforcement given the actions of Minneapolis police officers over decades. We welcome and fully support the Minnesota Department of Human Rights' robust investigation of the Minneapolis Police Department. We urge the state to use ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/minneapolis-city-council-statement-on-department-of-human-rights-action/

Tanker Driver, No Criminal Intent; Fire Arrest; Police Union President Speaks Out

Posted by kmoj — Tue, 2 Jun 2020 09:46 GMT

Minnesota safety officials say the man arrested for driving a tanker truck into a group of protesters had no criminal intention. On Monday, state Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said Bogdan Vechirko panicked when he got to the protesters and kept driving. Harrington said Vechirko didn't drive past any barriers and wasn't trying to intentionally hit anyone. He's still in jail on suspicion of assault. >>IL Man Charged With Rioting In Minneapolis An Illinois man ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/tanker-driver-no-criminal-intent-fire-arrest-police-union-president-speaks-out/

Atlanta Cops Fired; Charged with Excessive Force

Posted by kmoj — Tue, 2 Jun 2020 09:40 GMT

Ms. Taniyah Pilgrim and Mr. Messiah Young were heading home from a protest event on Sunday when cops approached them. Source: The Urban Daily via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/atlanta-cops-fired-charged-with-excessive-force/

Floyd Death: Homicide; Medical Examiner Says

Posted by kmoj — Mon, 1 Jun 2020 21:14 GMT

According to the Hennepin County medical examiner, the official cause of death is stated as "cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression." The manner of death is homicide, a term the medical examiner uses to describe any death caused by the intentional actions of another person or persons. The report goes on to note Floyd experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest while being restrained by Minneapolis Police Department. Floyd also had significant conditions noted ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/floyd-death-homicide-medical-examiner-says/

New Curfew Details

Posted by kmoj — Mon, 1 Jun 2020 20:30 GMT

Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-69 modifying and extending the temporary nighttime Minneapolis and St. Paul curfew through Wednesday morning to provide safety for Minnesota residents from individuals who have engaged in unlawful and dangerous activity in recent days and threatened the security of lawful demonstrators and first responders. "Having a curfew in place has allowed law enforcement to separate out those who mean to bring further pain and destruction in our communities ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/new-curfew-details/

Status of COVID-19 in Minnesota

Posted by kmoj — Mon, 1 Jun 2020 20:04 GMT

COVID-19 UPDATE Updated June 1, 2020 Total positive: 25,208 Patients who no longer need to be isolated: 19,441 Total approximate number of completed tests: 255,592 Deaths: 1,050o Deaths among cases that resided in long-term care or assisted living facilities: 855 Total cases requiring hospitalization: 3,086o Hospitalized as of today: 549 o Hospitalized in ICU as of today: 253 Numbers are cumulative since Jan. 20, 2020. The number of lab-confirmed positive tests among Minnesota residents will be ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/status-of-covid-19-in-minnesota/

Attorney Ellison To Lead Prosecution

Posted by kmoj — Mon, 1 Jun 2020 15:36 GMT

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Sunday that the state's attorney general - and not the county prosecutor - will take the lead in any prosecutions related to the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in handcuffs when a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck as he pleaded that he couldn't breathe. Ellison told KMOJ's Freddie Bell there could be a new set of charges against former Minneapolis Police ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/attorney-ellison-to-lead-prosecution/

One-Hundred Fifty Arrested Overnight in Twin Cities

Posted by kmoj — Mon, 1 Jun 2020 07:11 GMT

Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell, who was speaking on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, said around 150 people were arrested at Washington Avenue for breaking curfew. Many of those were protesters who were on the I-35W bridge. That protest was interrupted when a semi drove into the crowd. DPS said it does not appear any protesters were hit, and the driver has been taken into custody. Schnell said those who ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/one-hundred-fifty-arrested-overnight-in-twin-cities/

Tanker Truck Driver in Jail

Posted by kmoj — Mon, 1 Jun 2020 07:07 GMT

Authorities have identified a truck driver who was arrested after he drove through a crowd protesting on I-35W in Minneapolis as Bogdan Vechirko. Vechirko has been booked in the Hennepin County Jail. Sunday night, Ken Advantage, the trucking company Vechirko is an independent contractor for, issued a statement. "Our hearts go out to all those who are grieving the events of this past week," part of the statement read. The company said it will be ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/tanker-truck-driver-in-jail/

Are They Protests Or Riots? It Depends Who You Ask

Posted by kmoj — Mon, 1 Jun 2020 07:01 GMT

Source: KEREM YUCEL / Getty Ateenager held her phone steady enough to capture the final moments of George Perry Floyd's life as he apparently suffocated under the weight of a Minneapolis police officer's knee on his neck. The video went viral. What happened next has played out time and again in American cities after high-profile cases of alleged police brutality. Vigils and protests were organized in Minneapolis and around the United States to demand police ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/are-they-protests-or-riots-it-depends-who-you-ask/

Protests Against Police Violence Rage Across The Country After George Floyd's 'Murder'

Posted by kmoj — Mon, 1 Jun 2020 07:01 GMT

Source: MARK RALSTON / Getty Protests against police violence continued well into their fifth straight night as outrage spread around the country following the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. From the east coast to the west coast and seemingly every major city in between, protesters set out to make their voices heard as simmering racial tensions were boiling over Saturday night. This is important to hear the voices. When you ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/protests-against-police-violence-rage-across-the-country-after-george-floyds-murder/

Danielle Geathers Becomes MIT's First Black Woman Student Body President

Posted by kmoj — Mon, 1 Jun 2020 06:59 GMT

Black scholars are breaking racial barriers at some of the nation's most prestigious colleges and universities. Just weeks after it was announced that Princeton University graduate Nicholas Johnson made history by becoming the school's first-ever Black valedictorian, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has elected its first African American woman student body president, CNN reported. Students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have elected a black woman as president of the Undergraduate Association for the first ... Read more via: http://kmojfm.com/wp/2020/06/danielle-geathers-becomes-mits-first-black-woman-student-body-president/