'We need to feel the sun on our face': Twin Cities events promote community healing
Coordinated events held Saturday in the Twin Cities aimed to support people traumatized by the recent killing of Daunte Wright, and the police response to subsequent protests.
One of the gatherings took place in Brooklyn Center, at the site where Wright was fatally shot by police last weekend. The others were at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, and J.J. Hill Montessori Magnet School in St. Paul.
There were prayer circles, a chance for people to express themselves through art, and opportunities to process trauma from the past week in the Twin Cities, which also includes the ongoing Derek Chauvin trial.
ShaVunda Brown helped organize the St. Paul event, which drew several dozen people. She stressed the need for healing spaces.
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"One thing that happens that can be really detrimental is self-isolation during these times," she said. "We start doing self-destructive activities because we're trying to cope, when really what we need is to feel the sun on our face, to get a massage, to be in community, talk with community, create music with community."
Brown called for reforming or abolishing police, which she said was a necessary step for moving forward in the Twin Cities.
DejaJoelle led a prayer circle at the St. Paul event, which drew families with children to be guided in healing affirmations in the school's garden.
Her advice for young people is to take time to rest and unpack their emotions.
"Touch your heart and let your heart tell you, and show you and make you feel that you are absolutely divine," she said, speaking to Twin Cities youth. "You are supposed to be here. You are doing the best you can. You are deserving of all good — not some good, not a little bit of good, but all good. You are protected. You are guided. You are boundless. You are limitless. You are nothing less than chosen. Ase."
Saturday's gatherings were coordinated by Tru Ruts and the Healing Justice Foundation, along with community partners.