Los Angeles, CA – Facing intense pressure from the community, the Police Commission and Chief Beck fled a June 21 ‘community’ meeting.’ They could not take the heat and left out the back doors.

Washington DC – Since 7 a.m. this morning, July 20, around 50 activists with Black Youth Project 100 in Washington D.C., Black Lives Matter DMV Chapter, along with other organizations have shut down the national headquarters of the Fraternal Order of Police. The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest police union in the U.S.

St. Paul, MN – At noon, July 15, The Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar and Asian Pacific Islanders for Black Lives protested at the office of Ramsey County Attorney John Choi here. He is the county attorney who will make the charging decision in the homicide of Philando Castile.

Olinka Green speaks

Fight Back! interviewed Olinka Green, a Dallas area activist who has been very prominent in the Black Lives Matter movement, but who is also known for Palestine solidarity work, support for the struggle of trans people, anti-war work, and activism on many other issues that are important to progressives. We sat down with her to hear what she had to say about recent events in Dallas.

Milwaukee, WI – Over 400 people showed up to Milwaukee’s Red Arrow Park at 4 p.m., July 11 in response to the recent murders of Black men by police. Organized and led by the Coalition for Justice, protesters marched through the streets of downtown Milwaukee. They paused at various locations to send a clear message to Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) and the city: “Black lives matter!”

Jacksonville, FL – Over 500 people marched through downtown Jacksonville on July 10 demanding an end to racist police crimes. Local organizers affiliated with the #BlackLivesMatter movement called the protest in response to the recent murders of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in Minnesota.

Salt Lake City, UT – Outraged at police violence across the nation, about 500 people took to the streets in the state’s capitol city to protest July 9. They stood together to raise their voices in mourning for Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and against the brutality that police have used to tear apart communities from Ferguson to Baton Rouge, Baltimore and Salt Lake City.

Chicago, IL – 2000 to 3000 protesters, mostly high school students, marched through the streets of Chicago, July 11, to protest the recent police murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. What started as a sit-in of youth joined together with a rally held by Black Lives Matter Chicago, the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and Trinity United Church of Christ.

Washington, D.C. – Protests continued here, July 10, as well over 600 protestors, mostly Black youth, took to the streets. Marching and shutting down H street, protesters marched into Union Station, demanding justice, shouting “Black lives matter!” Protesters eventually ended up on the front steps of the capitol building.

Houston, TX – Over 30 people gathered in front of the headquarters of the Houston Police department, July 10, to protest the murder of Alva Braziel, an African-American man who was shot dead this week by the police. Braziel was cooperating with the police by putting his hands up, but they still shot him. The protest was also called to demand justice for Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and all victims of police brutality.

Tampa, FL- Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized a rally and march, July 9, demanding justice for Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. In preparation for the event, students went to the African American neighborhoods of Tampa passing out hundreds of flyers and speaking to the community about police crimes.

Minneapolis, MN – On a sunny Saturday afternoon July 9, hundreds of people gathered in Loring Park, marched through downtown Minneapolis then sat in outside two entrances to the Basilica Block Party demanding justice for Philando Castile. Castile was murdered by St. Anthony police officers Thursday night on Larpenteur Avenue, as his girlfriend and her daughter sat in the car with him during a traffic stop and his girlfriend recorded live video of the incident to Facebook. The video went viral provoking outrage and protests nationwide.

Washington, DC – Around 250 protesters gathered in front of the Department of Justice July 8 to demand the DOJ prosecute the killer cops responsible for the murder of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota.

Nationwide response to police killing of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile

Jacksonville, FL – Over 100 community members and activists held a vigil for the victims of police crimes on the corner of N. Liberty Street and E. 9th Street on July 8. The evening vigil was planned in response to the cold-blooded murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by the police earlier that same week. Local victims of police crimes, including Vernelle Bing Jr. and D'Angelo Stallworth, were also commemorated.

Los Ángeles, CA – En una rueda de prensa realizada el 5 de julio, bajo el canto de “Justicia para Edwin Rodríguez”, la familia y abogados presentaron una demanda contra el Condado de Los Ángeles y los vice-alguaciles del Departamento de Sheriffs, Andrew Alatorre y Sandy Galdámez, por el asesinato del joven padre de 24 años.

New York, NY – Hundreds of New Yorkers gathered at Union Square at 5 p.m., July 7, to demand justice for Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. The call to action was made by the Stop Mass Incarceration Network.

St. Paul, MN – With less than 24 hours notice, 5000 people gathered July 7 for an evening vigil at J.J. Hill Elementary School, then marched to the governor’s mansion demanding justice for Philando Castile. Late the night before, video spread of a Saint Anthony police officer shooting and killing Castile during a traffic stop on Larpenteur Avenue near the state fairgrounds. The video was recorded and posted live by Castile’s girlfriend who was in the car with him, along with her 4-year-old daughter.

Chicago, IL – About 1000 protesters converged on Chicago City Hall, June 22. The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) was there to demand an elected, civilian police accountability council (CPAC). The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) raised their demand for progressive revenue to fund the public schools, but also supported the demand for community control of the police. The CPAC rally also included Black Lives Matter, the Pilsen Alliance, U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), and AnakBayan, the Filipino patriotic youth organization.