Town Crier
Thousands across Montana protest police brutality
Published
4 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw Partners“Town Crier” newsletter – Briefs from the Region (1) – 6/9/20
According to Montana Public Radio, “thousands of people across Montana turned out for locally-organized rallies in support of black Americans and against police brutality. The rallies drew disparate crowds, and while talk got heated at times, the events remained non-violent.” The movement, which has captured the attention of cities, citizens and media across the nation (and, in some instances, globe), began on Memorial Day in Minneapolis when ex-police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd, an African American man, for nearly nine minutes despite Floyd’s cries of pain and begging for air; Floyd died following the incident, and Chauvin has since been charged with second degree murder. In Billings—Montana’s largest city—around 2,000 people rallied around the courthouse lawn, and organizer of Justice for George Floyd & Black, Indigenous and People of Color In Our Community/World, Amber Palmer told MTPR “she’s asking that more funding and training be directed to the Billings police department.” Protestors in Billings laid on the ground for eight minutes and 46 seconds in honor of Floyd, with some chanting “I can’t breathe,” among Floyd’s last words, and the event remained peaceful. According to MTPR, Police and organizers were also in contact with protesters who carried guns at the rally. “Yellowstone Militia of Billings commander Tim Westervelt said he and other members of his group were at the rally to help,” telling the outlet, “We are here to support the people, support this movement, protect the constitutional rights, make sure it remains peaceful, protect the businesses.” This show of solidarity is somewhat unique to the Treasure State, where in other cities and states diversity is an everyday fact of life, Montana’s demographics are hardly heterogeneous: nearly 90 percent of the state’s population identify as white, some 6.5 percent identify as Native American, less than 3 percent identify as two or more races, roughly 0.75 percent identifying as Asian and roughly 0.5 percent identifying as black or African American. Still, there is a history of black Americans facing violence in Montana, with 5,000 active KKK members in 1921 and documented lynchings in the first half of the 20th century. A fear of targeted violence remains, with some black and indigenous people in Missoula and Bozeman telling Yellowstone Public Radio they didn’t feel safe participating in rallies in their respective cities.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm