Spike Moss (activist)

Spike Moss
Born1945 or 1946 (age 78–79)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActivist

Harry "Spike" Moss is a community activist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has organized against police brutality and "Minnesota racism".[1][2][3] The Associated Press state that he is a "civil rights leader";[4] Moss describes himself as a "freedom fighter".[5][6]

Life and activism

Moss was born in Paris, Missouri,[2] and was raised in the "Jim Crow South".[6]

Along with Mahmoud El-Kati and Verlena Matey-Keke, Moss helped co-found The Way, a non-profit community center for Black youth.[7] Moss ran the recreation department, organizing activities for youth living in Northside Minneapolis.[8] Moss was the final director of The Way when it closed in 1984.[9] The Way founders saw themselves as part of the Black Power movement.[7]

In 1992, Moss helped form United For Peace, which brought gang members together with the Minneapolis Police Department in an effort to decrease gang violence.[10] The program was ended after the killing of MPD officer Jerry Haaf by members of the Vice Lords gang.[11]

Moss watched the verdict for the Derek Chauvin trial with George Floyd's family, saying "we finally won one."[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Forgrave, Reid; Rao, Maya (11 April 2021). "Conviction of Derek Chauvin: A moment of victory amid a history of injustice". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  2. ^ a b Williams, Brandt (21 January 2005). "Activist Spike Moss honored for activism". MPR News. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  3. ^ Grow, Doug (17 November 2015). "The vindication of Spike Moss?". MinnPost. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Minneapolis man convicted in activist's grandson slaying". AP NEWS. 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  5. ^ Scullin, Karen (16 June 2020). "Civil rights activist Spike Moss calls out Minneapolis City Council over inaction". FOX 9. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Comcast Honors Minnesota Civil Rights Champions". Comcast Twin Cities Region. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  7. ^ a b Furst, Randy (5 August 2016). "Founders and supporters celebrate The Way's 50th anniversary". Star Tribune. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  8. ^ Paulsen, Sarah (2018). Black Power And Neighborhood Organizing In Minneapolis, Minnesota: The Way Community Center, 1966-1971 (MA thesis). University of South Carolina.
  9. ^ "'The Way' Community Center, (Minneapolis) Opens". African American Registry.
  10. ^ Williams, Brandt (25 September 2002). "Ten years after: Tensions remain". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  11. ^ Collins, Bob (26 September 2017). "A Minneapolis cop was executed 25 years ago". MPR NewsCut. Retrieved 29 September 2021.