RISE AND REMEMBER 2024

On May 25, Singer Kashimana and Brass Solidarity led a joyful procession from the solidarity fist at 38th St. and Chicago Ave. to the Say Their Names cemetery, where 400 candles were placed around headstones there. The vigil marked four years since George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police in 2020 and a movement for justice that continues there today.

 

Earlier in the day, artist Mari Mansfield led volunteers in repainting the 169 names of stolen lives on the “Mourning Passage” on Chicago Ave. from 38th to 37th St. Artist Antonio Jenkins completed a new mural on the street where Floyd took his last breath. A mutual aid drive provided free clothing from the People’s Closet, the Phoenix Steppers energized the crowd, and Vine Raynell and Star Child delivered spoken word. Visitors heard from Floyd’s family members as well as pilgrimage guides Marquise Bowie, Jennie Leenay and Kia Bible. Amity Dimock, co-founder of the Daunte & Kobe No More Names Initiative, spoke about the loss of her son Kobe Dimock-Heisler who was killed by Brooklyn Center police in 2019, and read the names of other lives taken by police violence.

 

Rise and Remember, the name of the annual event, is now the official new name of the George Floyd Global Memorial, chosen to better reflect their work. “We want to continue to rise to the occasion and keep remembering George Floyd and all stolen lives,” Floyd’s cousin and co-chair Paris Stevens told the crowd at the vigil. “So everyone, stick together, love on one another… Keep lifting each other up. Lift your voices.”