Spike Moss (activist)

Harry "Spike" Moss (born 1946) 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]

Spike Moss
Born1946 (age 76–77)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActivist

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. 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. 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. "Comcast Honors Minnesota Civil Rights Champions". Comcast Twin Cities Region. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  7. 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.
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