Twin Cities Remembers Cordale Handy

St. Paul, MN – On March 15, the mother of Cordale Handy, members of the community and other families who lost loved ones to police violence gathered here to remember Cordale Handy, who was murdered by police on this date in 2017.

The most impactful part of the evening was hearing from other families from across the country who have been affected by police, including Pamela Brooks, whose teenage son Amir, was killed by an off-duty Prince George’s County, Maryland officer; Lisa Simpson, whose son was killed by Los Angeles police, and two families from Minneapolis, Thurmond Blevins, who was killed by Minneapolis Police in June 2018 and Jerome Gordon Jackson who was murdered by Hennepin County Sheriff’s deputies in 2013.

Kim Handy Jones, who is the mother of Cordale Handy, has fought for justice for not only her son, but for the other families who have lost loved ones to the police. She brought the mothers and loved ones to Saint Paul for the Friday night vigil and for a Saturday banquet to raise funds to help other families.

Trahern Crews, who emceed the event, made a demand that Saint Paul Police should seek atonement for the harm they caused the community. The SPPD is the most deadly and dangerous force in the state of Minnesota.

On March 16 a second night “Boots on the Ground, Cordale Handy Remembrance Celebration” was held. The night again brought together mothers and family members of those lost to police crimes. Many of those involved in the movement to stop police crimes were in attendance.

The event was hosted by the Racial Justice Network. Speakers during the event included the Minneapolis NAACP, Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J), Black Lives Matter Minnesota, Justice for Justine Damond Ruszcyk, Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB), Trio Plant Based restaurant, Hope and Healing Counseling Services, and the Racial Justice Network.