Unicorn Riot

Independent media amplifying stories from the frontlines of social and environmental struggles. Bookmark our website: https://unicornriot.ninja/

Website: https://unicornriot.ninja
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ur_ninja

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Last Notes

2025-05-08 08:05:29

For the first time in its 248-year existence, the United States government investigated its own Federal Indian Boarding Schools, a genocidal element of the racist settler colonial project by which the country was formed. [Report from November 2024]
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/historic-investigation-of-u-s-boarding-schools-for-native-children-ends-with-scathing-report/

2025-04-23 22:56:31

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Tulsi Gabbard has espoused Islamophobia and complained about "homosexual extremists."
She's currently the Director of National Intelligence after ending her winning streak as Vladimir Putin's biggest fan in the US Senate.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/389/695/991/204/883/original/731ddf8bed8bec85.png

2024-08-07 05:30:52

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There have been at least 64 people killed by police in Minnesota since Walz became Governor in 2019. Aside from the murders of George Floyd and Daunte Wright, families of victims of police terror have very rarely received justice in the courts in MN.
Gov. Walz recently publicly criticized and planned to take Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty off the case for pressing charges on Ryan Londegran, a State Trooper who fatally shot Ricky Cobb II during a traffic stop.

2024-08-07 05:30:29

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Gov. Walz said to Unicorn Riot "Voices need to be heard and as we said the murder of George Floyd has shook the world and it's the conscious of Minnesota, this is our responsibility."

2024-08-07 05:30:21

One week after the police murdered George Floyd & a few days after ordering the National Guard to quell the popular uprising, MN Governor Tim Walz came out of the Governor's Residence as tens of thousands of protesters rallied on the street outside. Walz was confronted by impacted family members and then listened to speeches for about 45 minutes before going back inside: https://youtu.be/alfb8CxeGEI
See the full live stream from June 1, 2020: https://youtube.com/live/iU1AFSYxbSk
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/919/089/358/856/295/original/212f3b3148862acd.jpg

2024-08-06 23:41:23

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Number of DPD officers responding to pro-Palestinian protesters visiting The Center on Colfax has grown to several dozen, mostly positioned outside the building:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/917/720/165/004/083/original/84dc0f4bf620e3de.mp4

2024-08-06 23:33:04

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Denver Police have arrived after The Center on Colfax called them on pro-Palestine protesters opposing the Center’s reported ties to Israel - 8 officers are currently inside with SWAT team waiting outside:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/917/687/453/391/867/original/9d9022040c0455a5.mp4

2024-08-06 23:26:39

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#Denver: The CEO of The Center on Colfax said he was calling the cops on the protesters, so people at the sit-in are starting to lightly pack up materials, but are remaining inside the building. They are chanting loudly as employees of The Center wait inside near the building's entrance.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/917/661/270/092/342/original/60cb588f617b7383.mp4

2024-08-06 22:25:55

#BreakingNews‌ For over four hours, around 15 pro-Palestine activists have been conducting a sit-in inside The Center on Colfax, an LGBTQ community center in Denver, CO, which protesters say has ties to Israel. Photos from Gay Liberation Front for Palestine.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/917/422/988/755/783/original/90977cf22d857bc1.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/917/423/173/660/708/original/ba5b9ce9151d9150.png

2024-07-31 04:18:35

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Learn even more here: https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/protests-erupt-in-utica-after-brutal-police-killing-of-13-year-old-refugee/

2024-07-31 04:18:10

Two weeks ago, thousands of protesters shut down the streets in Utica, NY in response to the police killing of 13-year-old Nyah Mway on June 28: https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/utica-streets-shut-down-by-1000-during-justice-for-nyah-mway-march/

2024-07-21 22:46:24

The idea behind #Project2025 is to strengthen a white Christian nationalist influence by placing loyal personnel across the Executive Branch while implementing a far-right agenda focused on dismantling social programs, restricting immigration & prioritizing fossil fuels.
Full story, A Deeper Look Into Project 2025, Far-Right Political Funding and Propaganda: https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/a-deeper-look-into-project-2025-far-right-political-funding-and-propaganda/
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/826/900/960/895/062/original/16a75a0418abecd4.png

2024-07-18 01:20:46

It pays to understand who funds groups like Heritage Foundation and the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) as such entities often draft conservative policy and legislation for politicians:
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/a-deeper-look-into-project-2025-far-right-political-funding-and-propaganda/

2024-07-13 00:00:36

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Check out our full report: https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/protests-erupt-in-utica-after-brutal-police-killing-of-13-year-old-refugee/
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/776/238/359/089/781/original/38018da918bde238.jpg

2024-07-13 00:00:01

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Officer Andrew Citriniti and Officer Patrick Husney were also in pursuit of Mway. While Officer Patterson was still on top of the subdued child, Officer Husney shoots Mway in the chest. The boy starts bleeding out on the sidewalk.

2024-07-12 23:59:48

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Mere moments after the police encounter, Mway starts running down the street. In one of the body cam videos, Mway turns toward Officer Bryce Patterson, who is then heard shouting, “He has a gun!” Patterson tackles Mway to the ground and repeatedly punches the boy in the head.

2024-07-12 23:59:20

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On the evening of June 28, Mway and his friend were stopped by three police officers from the Utica Police Department and two Oneida County Deputy Sheriffs on their walk home from Bible study class and a graduation party.
Body camera footage was released by UPD, but only from three of the officers who were on the scene. The footage shows a pedestrian stop, otherwise known as a stop-and-frisk — a controversial tactic of interrogating and searching someone based solely on “reasonable suspicion.”

2024-07-12 23:58:31

Nyah Mway, a 13-year-old refugee, was killed by police in Utica, NY the day after he graduated from middle school.
Learn more here: https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/protests-erupt-in-utica-after-brutal-police-killing-of-13-year-old-refugee/

2024-07-12 19:39:28

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Here's a short episode of our old news round-up show Deprogram that talks about the protests and police aggression: https://unicornriot.ninja/2015/paul-castaway-protests-continue-police-aggresion-escalates-deprogram-ep-12/

2024-07-12 19:39:03

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Unicorn Riot was on the ground covering the protests in Denver in response to the police killing.
https://unicornriot.ninja/2015/police-target-journalists-and-organizers-in-recent-anti-police-brutality-protests/

2024-07-12 19:38:24

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Learn more in our report from one year ago: https://unicornriot.ninja/2023/remembering-paul-castaway-killed-by-denver-police/

2024-07-12 19:37:18

Nine years ago today, Denver Police Officer Michael Traudt fatally shot 35-year-old father of one and Rosebud Sioux tribal member, Paul Castaway, after responding to a mental health crisis help call placed by Castaway’s mother.
Check out our video featuring Paul’s family: https://vimeo.com/844662879

2024-07-11 19:05:02

NEW: The brutal 2010 triple murders at the Seward Market shocked the community, and police concluded the killer was fifteen-year-old Mahdi Ali. However, a new Unicorn Riot investigation raises 27 different issues with that investigation and the murder trial. It’s a huge tranche of information, so we circled back with our contributor to break down the major elements people should know about this contentious case.
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/interview-breaking-down-the-mahdi-ali-case/

2024-07-10 19:11:59

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During this year’s national conventions, tens of thousands of people will be on the streets protesting, and as an independent, commercial-free news source, we will be on the ground providing unfiltered, raw coverage directly from the people. While corporate news will amplify what the politicians say inside the convention halls, we’ll hold a mic up to the people outside.
Thank you so much for supporting our work!

2024-07-10 19:11:11

We’re raising money to cover the costs of our convention coverage, and if you make a donation of at least $15 through September 15, you’ll be entered into a raffle with a chance to win a Unicorn Riot t-shirt of your choosing!
All you need to do is donate $15 or more to our RNC/DNC Convention Coverage fundraiser and leave an email address for us to contact you!
Enter here: https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/rnc-dnc-coverage/
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/763/770/235/559/790/original/de9ee117b2f7ee64.jpg

2024-07-10 02:48:30

2024-07-08 23:09:17

The student-led movement to pressure America's universities to divest from Israel has largely been met with violence & intimidation by authorities.
This report looks back at Palestine solidarity encampments in Boston as students recount their experiences.
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/from-boston-to-palestine-student-encampments-began-in-peace-and-ended-in-handcuffs/

2024-07-08 21:49:32

Kendrick Lamar in Africa – Big Stepper’s Heritage Plug [Jan. 2024]
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/kendrick-lamar-in-africa-big-steppers-heritage-plug/

2024-07-08 19:25:57

Four Years After Police Kill Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal, Family and Friends Gather to Remember Their Loved One
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/four-years-after-police-kill-bernardo-palacios-carbajal-family-and-friends-gather-to-remember-their-loved-one/

2024-07-07 23:06:26

After Patriot Front members vandalized an Arthur Ashe mural in Virginia in 2021, Unicorn Riot published a leaked video from PF that ID'd the perps as Nathaniel Noyce & Thomas Dail.
We recently heard from the artist who designed the mural.
Full story: https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/richmond-artist-reacts-to-ashe-mural-vandalism-as-suspect-arrested/

2024-07-07 20:26:02

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Hours after British polls closed, David Lammy (Labour) warned, "If we do not deliver for working people, then we will be out and nationalists will be on our tail. That is the lesson that we see across the world." Lammy is now UK Foreign Secretary under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (Source: SkyNews)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/747/083/118/441/600/original/14143308f970ed78.jpg

2024-07-07 20:04:22

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In Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin is now the largest political party. Voters turned on right-wing hardline Protestant Democratic Unionist Party, lost 3 of 8 parliamentary seats. In Scotland, Scottish National Party lost at least 38 seats; Labour gained. (Source: Guardian)

2024-07-07 19:59:15

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Last week in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the Conservative Party lost hundreds of seats, as the center-left Labour Party won a large majority. However many independent candidates unhappy with Labour's policy on Israel and Gaza also won races, including Jeremy Corbyn.

2024-07-07 19:56:57

Breaking: In a French election upset, left-wing parties (Nouveau Front Populaire) are projected to win the most Assemblée Nationale seats. The far-right Rassemblement National came in third. Without a clear majority coalition negotiations are expected. (Source: Le Monde)

2024-07-07 19:32:50

Nearly two dozen critically ill children were evacuated from the ravaged Gaza Strip and brought to Egypt for medical treatment on June 27. This was the first medical evacuation of Palestinians since May when Israel closed the Karem Abu Salem / Karem Shalom crossing as they invaded Rafah.
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/critically-ill-children-leave-gaza-for-treatment-in-egypt/

2024-07-05 23:40:01

Do you appreciate nonprofit, ad-free media? Then help us double our contributions to our RNC/DNC coverage fundraiser! Help us get to $200 by the end of the night!
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/rnc-dnc-coverage/

2024-07-05 22:01:56

Two men's cases - Deaunteze Bobo & Jermaine Ferguson - prosecuted for murder & given life in prison when Amy Klobuchar was Hennepin County Attorney, have striking similarities to two others recently freed from their wrongful convictions & life sentences, Myon Burrell & Marvin Haynes.
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/recanted-jailhouse-testimonies-lead-to-renewed-calls-to-release-bobo-and-ferguson/

2024-07-05 20:29:57

An advocate for Jermaine Ferguson, who is serving life in prison in Minnesota, renewed their demands for him to be released from prison, saying he was wrongfully convicted.
Full story: https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/recanted-jailhouse-testimonies-lead-to-renewed-calls-to-release-bobo-and-ferguson/
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/735/773/262/641/044/original/d250444cc2585cef.mp4

2024-07-05 18:36:08

A family member of Deaunteze Bobo, who is serving life in prison in Minnesota, renewed their demands for him to be released from prison, saying he was wrongfully convicted.
Full story: https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/recanted-jailhouse-testimonies-lead-to-renewed-calls-to-release-bobo-and-ferguson/
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/735/325/648/158/932/original/f3f87c98b3acd95b.mp4

2024-07-04 20:22:55

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Learn more and check out our full 4.5 hour stream from that day in this article: https://unicornriot.ninja/2020/over-100-protesters-block-road-to-mt-rushmore-during-july-4th-festivities/

2024-07-04 20:21:43

Four years ago yesterday, hundreds of protesters rallied on the shoulder of Highway 16A demonstrating their opposition to then-President Trump and then-Vice President Pence speaking and celebrating at Tĥuŋkášila Šákpe (Six Grandfathers Mountain), also known as Mount Rushmore, for Independence Day.
There were 21 total arrestees from the July 3, 2020 protest. Check out our highlights video here: https://vimeo.com/437066440

2024-07-03 23:38:48

On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities can ban people from sleeping and camping in public places. The war on the unhoused goes hand in hand with gentrification.
Gentrification is a Global Phenomenon – Unicorn Riot Coverage - New newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/unicornriot/gentrification-is-a-global-phenomenon-ur-coverage
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/725/189/457/109/702/original/c755c8c21f4afcce.jpg

2024-07-03 23:13:16

2024-07-03 14:44:32

During large protests around the U.S. have you ever wondered why heavily armored police formations usually look so interchangeable? This is called "Mobile Field Force" and it's part of a national training doctrine. We got the manual (2016) >
https://unicornriot.ninja/2016/trumps-fema-train-local-police-field-force-crackdowns-inauguration-nsse-nears/

2024-07-02 22:13:10

Family members and advocates of two men serving life sentences in Minnesota — Deaunteze Bobo and Jermaine Ferguson — renewed their demands for their loved ones to be released from prison, saying they were wrongfully convicted.
Recanted Jailhouse Testimonies Lead to Renewed Calls to Release Bobo and Ferguson
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/recanted-jailhouse-testimonies-lead-to-renewed-calls-to-release-bobo-and-ferguson/

2024-07-02 21:25:32

‘We Want Justice’: One Year Since the Pylos Shipwreck
https://vimeo.com/965672436

2024-07-02 21:18:20

Support UR’s Upcoming RNC/DNC Convention Coverage
As election season heats up in the U.S., Unicorn Riot is gearing up to cover the upcoming 2024 RNC/DNC conventions, and we need your support to help us provide an independent voice on the ground!
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/rnc-dnc-coverage/

2024-06-19 23:57:30

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The DNC appears headed for turbulence, as tens of thousands of protesters are expected to crash the party. Echoing generation-defining events of 1968, Chicago police have been observed preparing in riot gear for managing protests at the Democratic National Convention.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/645/991/243/865/919/original/12378c4ec6f1986d.jpg

2024-06-19 23:56:13

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The “Coalition to March on the RNC 2024” is July 15. Wisconsin could deploy up to 4,500 officers & National Guard. Secret Service will activate federal law enforcement & military elements.
2016: Cleveland RNC Police & Military Docs:FEMA Base to Setup at NASA https://unicornriot.ninja/2016/nsse-update-article/

2024-06-19 23:55:34

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Various political organizations will organize protests at both conventions, which will be highly policed National Special Security Events.
Our 2016 Report: NSSEs Feed Millions of Dollars Toward Militarization of Police Across American Cities
https://unicornriot.ninja/2016/nsses-feed-millions-dollars-toward-militarization-police-across-american-cities/

2024-06-19 23:55:08

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The conventions that lead up to the election may be historic. The Republican National Convention (RNC) will happen first, taking place between July 15–18 in Milwaukee, WI, followed by the Democratic National Convention (DNC) from August 19–22 in Chicago, IL.
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/rnc-dnc-coverage/

2024-06-19 23:17:35

👉Support UR’s Upcoming RNC/DNC Convention Coverage ✨
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/rnc-dnc-coverage/
As election season heats up in the U.S., Unicorn Riot is gearing up to cover the upcoming 2024 RNC/DNC conventions, and we need your support to help us provide an independent voice on the ground!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/645/832/656/616/030/original/4e00880d477d8f39.mp4

2024-06-19 17:30:42

Former Israeli Prime Minister Greeted by Hundreds of Protesters in Minneapolis
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/former-israeli-prime-minister-greeted-by-hundreds-of-protesters-in-minneapolis/

2024-06-18 03:25:24

Unicorn Riot is an educational 501(c)3 non-profit independent media org that reports underrepresented stories and sheds light on alternative perspectives and systems.
We aim to provide an accessible platform for diverse stories, communities and media makers through free, nonprofit news.
Bookmark our website: https://unicornriot.ninja
Sign up for UR newsletters here: http://eepurl.com/hazlB5
Donate here: https://unicornriot.ninja/donate/

2024-06-15 03:42:52

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Learn more in the full story:
Cobwebs Spy Software Locks Onto Protesters: Israeli Social Media Mining Contract with Homeland Security Revealed
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/cobwebs-spy-software-locks-onto-protesters-israeli-social-media-mining-contract-with-homeland-security-revealed/
Support our nonprofit media work! ✨ 🦄 💓
https://unicornriot.ninja/donate/

2024-06-15 03:41:30

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Even during a chaotic wave of mass protests, some Homeland Security staff believed these practices were dangerous to civil liberties & possibly illegal. How could technologies like Cobwebs be used against protesters in the future, and what privacy protections would be in place?
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/618/561/868/921/033/original/6324f7e63d6296af.png

2024-06-15 03:37:09

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Other Cobwebs features on DHS Statement of Work: Target identification, social network analysis, Bitcoin tracking, building leads on users, locating deleted posts, aggregating "all Social Media", algorithms for generating suspected links
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/618/543/853/823/170/original/d23341e27815476a.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/618/544/092/867/132/original/3906c8759306e1a9.png

2024-06-15 03:11:21

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Cobwebs software features direct access to social media sites via Homeland Security owned API connections, user targeting, real-time AI algorithms and "Avatar management" (likely sockpuppet account herding)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/618/443/489/327/616/original/01046e07dd0804e7.png

2024-06-15 03:05:38

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The Cobwebs "cloud-based web live platform" is deployed on Amazon Web Services (AWS) massive US-EAST-2 cloud region for Homeland Security.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/618/420/287/644/162/original/9f856f84e4736151.png

2024-06-15 03:00:56

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The material produced by Tangles to generate profiles of activists echoes COINTELPRO-era “cards” produced by the FBI.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/618/402/028/760/935/original/55efce7973b5e059.png

2024-06-15 02:57:55

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This Cobwebs Statement of Work also includes “avatar management” capabilities — a term also used by Royi Burstien, CEO of another Israeli electronic intelligence firm, Percepto International, to describe how his group manages sophisticated sockpuppet accounts.

2024-06-15 02:57:42

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A section of the Meta report reads: “In addition to collecting information about their targets, the accounts used by Cobwebs customers also engaged in social engineering to join closed communities and forums and trick people into revealing personal information.”

2024-06-15 02:54:55

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Cobwebs has been accused of facilitating fake social media accounts. In 2021, Meta removed 200 fake accounts from Facebook associated with Cobwebs & its customers. (Re “Cyber Mercenaries,” Israeli newspaper Haaretz “Israel’s Spyware Industry is Getting Slammed Around the World.”)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/618/373/441/801/488/original/f75b29017ad51a21.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/618/377/174/084/745/original/b380222290701375.png

2024-06-15 02:50:24

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Cobwebs described its product LYNX as a “global proxy infrastructure” that allows users to “join darknet forums, hacker communities and other platforms without their cover being blown.”

2024-06-15 02:42:08

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Cobwebs Spy Software Locks Onto Protesters: Israeli Social Media Mining Homeland Security Contractor - 50 second video introduces how Cobwebs and DHS work together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07cPncwzFsA

2024-06-15 01:43:42

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The SIC would later act as the hub for Operation Safety Net, a program aimed at unrest around Derek Chauvin’s murder trial--an interagency collaboration between the MPD, FBI, DHS, & numerous other state & local law enforcement groups. (via @npub1n63…u38w )
https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/04/27/1051517/minneapolis-police-racial-bias-fake-social-media-profiles-surveillance/

2024-06-15 01:38:44

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Unicorn Riot documented fake “sockpuppet” accounts tied to DHS-affiliated fusion centers in 2019. Social profiles for an Angel Garcia-Lonetree appeared to be operated by Strategic Information Center -- a fusion center run by Minneapolis Police Department. https://unicornriot.ninja/2019/police-fusion-center-tied-to-fake-social-media-accounts/

2024-06-15 01:30:37

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In the years since its founding, DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis has delivered on fears its existence would lead to abuse:
- I&A has overseen the Overt Human Intelligence Collection program talking to prisoners and immigrants without lawyers
- "media monitoring services" - a journalists database
- Monitoring Telegram chats in Portland
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/618/014/849/086/236/original/95aba1386717dd46.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/618/045/859/581/192/original/98fba01f30dc6dd5.png

2024-06-15 01:10:29

Why does data mining about protesters matter? FBI's COINTELPRO depended on careful record collection. DHS units like Office of Intelligence and Analysis and affiliated fusion centers have attracted criticism. Cobwebs software was part of 2020 Portland spying controversies.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/617/966/999/994/023/original/b1594e71a8530205.png

2024-06-09 01:25:45

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Support our work: https://unicornriot.ninja/donate/
Our full report:
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/target-junk-science-and-unreliable-testimonies-the-contentious-conviction-of-15-year-old-mahdi-ali/
Target, ‘Junk Science’ and Unreliable Testimonies: The Contentious Conviction of 15-Year-Old Mahdi Ali
Part 12 in the series: 21st Century Jim Crow in the North Star City

2024-06-09 01:25:33

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Issue #27: Ahmed Recanted, Says Mahdi’s Innocent
In 2021, Ahmed told a reporter that he lied against Mahdi in exchange for reduced prison time, and Mahdi is really innocent. “He ended up becoming the scapegoat, I guess.” (video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ub5fO7qx_is )

2024-06-09 01:25:22

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Issue #26: Killer Identified Wearing Abdisalan’s Coat
Investigators identified the coat the killer was wearing on the Seward Market surveillance video to match the gray coat Abdisalan was wearing earlier that day. But he claimed under oath that he gave the gray coat to Mahdi.

2024-06-09 01:25:13

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Issue #25: Use of Jailhouse Snitch
During the trial Judge Peter Cahill allowed a jailhouse snitch to testify against Mahdi.
He testified under oath that Mahdi Ali, “a complete stranger,” confessed to him about the Seward Market murders. Mahdi denied saying more than two words.

2024-06-09 01:25:04

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Mahdi told UR that Galony completely made his statement up. He believes Galony never spoke to police that night & that his script was manufactured by MPD only after suspects in custody. He said police found an informant to repeat their lies in court to secure his conviction.

2024-06-09 01:24:53

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Issue #24: Controversial Use of Paid Informant
Mohamud Galony, who testified against Mahdi, was described as an ESL teacher’s aide and well-respected community member. But it was revealed at trial that Galony was a Confidential Reliable Informant (CRI) for MPD.

2024-06-09 01:24:43

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Issue #23: Ahmed’s Brother Had Stolen Gun Connected to Murder Weapon
In September 2010, Ahmed’s brother Abdirahman Ali was caught by police with a stolen gun in his car that was from the same batch of guns as the murder weapon that were stolen shortly before the killings.

2024-06-09 01:24:32

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Issue #22: Abdisalan Implicated in Another Killing
Abshir Asse implicated Abdisalan in another murder: “It was a thing… a killing in Apple Valley. I don’t know exactly when this was.” Detectives confirmed that a cab driver was killed in August 2009.

2024-06-09 01:24:23

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Issue #21: Unserious Investigation
Kjos: “Your name came up right away.” Porras: “Something not right here.”
throughout all 3 interviews, detectives never asked Abdisalan if he killed those 3 people, or if he was involved. He was never charged w. any crime related to this case.

2024-06-09 01:24:13

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Issue #20: Abdisalan’s Alleged Alibi
Abdisalan’s cell phone data proved that he wasn’t at home at 7:04 p.m. when he made a call to Ahmed’s brother, but rather his phone pinged on a tower north of his home, which is in the direction of the Seward Market.

2024-06-09 01:24:05

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Issue #19: Did Abdisalan Receive A Secret Deal?
On January 11, he implied detectives cleared him. “We have no evidence to show you were at the scene...” Kjos said. “So… what I’m asking you is not up at the scene. I won’t ask you any of that because you went home. Right?”

2024-06-09 01:23:54

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Issue #18: Abdisalan Offers Up His Cousin
“If the people are already talking about him [Ahmed] and Mahdi being involved,” Detective Porras said, “you know not everybody is [as] calm about the thing as you are.”

2024-06-09 01:23:44

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Issue #17: Cop Coercion
The cops seemingly coerced Abdisalan after he began having second thoughts about answering their questions and tried to end the interview. “I need you to give me this interview,” Detective Kjos pleaded.
She told him she needed him to corroborate events.

2024-06-09 01:23:34

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Issue #16: Abdisalan Talks ‘Killings and Stuff’ at School
Detectives showed Abdisalan surveillance footage of him and Abshir Asse talking at school the day after the murders, and asked him what they were talking about. He said they were talking about the “killings and stuff.”

2024-06-09 01:23:24

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Issue #15: Abdisalan Threatened Mahdi
According to the police report, Abdisalan told his classmate he was going to silence Mahdi. Asse disclosed: “He… said that he was going to try to go kill Mahdi,” adding, “So to cover everything up. He thinks that Mahdi will tell on him.”

2024-06-09 01:23:14

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Issue #14: Abdisalan Didn’t Like Mahdi, Had Motive to Frame Him
The defense asked if Abdisalan & Mahdi got along. Abdisalan initially lied & said they did. Then he admitted, “I mean, I probably didn’t get along with him, we probably fought a couple of times...”

2024-06-09 01:23:02

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Issue #13: Abdisalan Implicated Ahmed As He Hid
Detectives found out that Ahmed was on the run from the police. When they interviewed Abdisalan they asked him why Ahmed was hiding out and the first thing he did was implicate his cousin in the killings.

2024-06-09 01:22:46

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Issue #12: Evolving Accusations
Police asked Asse again if Abdisalan was the gunman, in which he inexplicably changed his story, now saying Mahdi was the shooter. His story suspiciously changed following three redacted paragraphs.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/584/042/173/411/882/original/5cfe25008f05dbd1.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/584/042/369/723/813/original/b5d8b8f99cf4bb13.png

2024-06-09 01:22:11

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Issue #11: Second Informant Fingered Abdisalan
“[T]he type of offense is triple homicide and your notes are … ‘he is running around bragging about it and plans to leave the country’. Is that correct?” detectives asked. Farrah responded affirmatively.

2024-06-09 01:21:55

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Issue #10: Adbisalan’s Friend Told MPD He Confessed to Killings
Abdisalan told his classmate he shot a customer that walked through the door during the robbery and on his way out of the market. Asse explained, “He told me he shot all three of them...”
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/584/039/232/556/648/original/d9b9809dea6a3f49.png

2024-06-09 01:21:25

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Issue #9: No Evidence Found in Alleged Getaway Car
A.J. told Unicorn Riot that he got his car back the day after his interview with detectives on January 13, a week after the murders. Police did not find any evidence inside the vehicle linking it to the crimes.

2024-06-09 01:21:09

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Issue #8: Mahdi Insists Police Planted Blood Drop
“How else do you explain them finding blood inside the pocket but nowhere else? Not on any of my clothes or shoes or inside the car I was driving that night. That don’t make no sense,” he said.

2024-06-09 01:20:39

2024-06-09 01:20:31

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Although no scientific conclusions were established with their testimonies, the Minnesota Supreme Court heavily cited Target’s forensics team in its ruling striking down Mahdi’s appeal.
Target does not offer its forensics services to defendants, only to prosecutors.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/584/033/621/869/132/original/bc7e3c9970703a98.png

2024-06-09 01:19:56

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Michelle Gross, a paralegal who works for Mahdi’s post-conviction attorney Zorislav Leyderman, told UR, “Clothing mark analysis in mass-produced articles of clothing... has no legitimate basis and should never be used to deprive someone of their freedom. It is junk science.”

2024-06-09 01:19:46

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James Schoering on behalf of Target Corp admitted under cross-examination he could not positively identify Mahdi in the surveillance videos, nor could he exclude Mahdi or Abdisalan as suspects, although there is nearly a half-foot height difference between them.

2024-06-09 01:19:30

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Findings in this series illustrate neither MPD nor the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office have demonstrated independence from its corporate funder & have essentially served as “hired guns” for the retailer, operating a racialized surveillance program.
https://unicornriot.ninja/21st-century-jim-crow-a-series/

2024-06-09 01:18:40

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Issue #7: Target’s Scientific Racism
For years, Target investigators have worked alongside law enforcement in criminal cases that go far beyond shoplifting. UR’s years-long investigative series has reported on Target’s partnership.
https://unicornriot.ninja/2024/how-target-funded-a-tough-on-crime-prosecutors-office-driving-black-youth-incarceration-in-minneapolis/

2024-06-09 01:18:18

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Issue #6: Height Contradiction
Although prosecutors argued that “the shooter appears to be much shorter than the person who goes to the back of the store,” it was never credibly established that the killer in the video was indeed shorter than the accomplice.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/584/025/020/598/815/original/aab1e09c01f36e72.png

2024-06-09 01:17:52

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Issue #5: Excluded Interviews
Recordings from police interviews with suspects and informants are listed on the police report inventory but were never introduced in court; only transcriptions of those interviews were shown.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/584/023/272/269/908/original/800e03291478ee02.png

2024-06-09 01:17:23

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Surveillance footage from Wells Fargo of A.J. getting money out of the ATM was never secured or even mentioned by the investigators. Neither was the surveillance video from the AutoZone car parts store on Lake St., which could have verified Mahdi’s claims.