in the news

For examples of recent community support provided by PCRF,  visit Giving Back.
For coverage of awards received by PCRF, visit Honors.
For press releases issued by PCRF, visit Press Releases.
For information on the Philando Castile Peace Garden, visit the Peace Garden Fund or Philando Castile Peace Garden websites.
For earlier news articles (2016-2019), visit the News Archive.

RECENT ARTICLES AND NEWS STORIES

Juneteenth Commemoration 2022 Film:  Sunday, June 19, 9:00 a.m.
See it on SPNN | Speak MPLS | KZMOHD.com
This film features a historical introduction by Mayor Melvin Carter, III, recent 2022 Guggenheim Fellow Ta-coumba Aiken, honoring George Floyd and distinguished artist and advocate Seitu Jones, honoring Philando Castile.

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The Gun Violence Memorial Project  seeks to create a permanent national memorial that honors the lives and narratives of victims of gun violence. (May 2022)

Valerie with her remembrance of Philando: “These items represent things that Philando liked to do: a basketball card, a domino, and the king chess piece. Phil enjoyed games that challenged the mind by staying focused, concentrating, and using strategic moves.”

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• Woman who ran charity in Philando Castile's name to repay $120K that didn't go for intended purpose. Star Tribune (Mar. 29, 2022)
  
• The making of The Cartography Project, a work honoring victims of racial violence. “The names of some of the Black men and women killed by police -- Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Philando Castile -- have become embedded in the nation's consciousness, memorialized in everything from street art to T-shirts to fine art displayed in galleries. Now there's a new effort to grieve their loss and honor their memory in music, a collaboration between the Kennedy Center, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera. It's called The Cartography Project, and the three institutions have commissioned a multi-year series of chamber and vocal works and an online video series documenting their creation.” MPR News, All Things Considered (March 6, 2022)
  
• Families of Black men killed by police in Minnesota demand justice for Amir Locke. "Our children's lives mattered. Don't think for one second that I didn't love my son. … You love your children, and so did we," said Valerie Castile, the mother of Philando Castile, who was shot and killed by a St. Anthony police officer during a 2016 traffic stop. Star Tribune (Feb. 9, 2022)
  
• The MN Legislature Special Session Omnibus Funding Bill granted a continuation of $6 million per year for peace officer training assistance through 2025, to be named the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund. Funding goes to the Peace Officers Standards and Training Board (POST). For a summary of the 2021 Legislative Session, see the MN Association of Counties.

• Public Art Saint Paul welcomed Paul Farber, Director and Co-Founder of Monument Lab, to share their wealth of knowledge of monument creation, including the Philando Castile Peace Garden. For more details and a video of the event, click here. (Nov. 10, 2021)
  

Paul Farber joined Valerie Castile and other key activists in touring the Philando Castile Peace Garden in Falcon Heights, MN.

• ‘Not Going to Do This Anymore’: Fed-Up Prosecutor Is Done With BS Traffic Stops: John Choi, the Minnesota prosecutor who charged the cop who killed Philando Castile, is already earning enemies for his groundbreaking new policy. Daily Beast (Sept. 8, 2021)
  
• Ramsey County attorney says he won't prosecute most felonies arising from low-level traffic stops. Star Tribune (Sept. 8, 2021)
• Ramsey County Attorney John Choi: "We have to make some changes." Star Tribune video (Sept. 8, 2021)
• A change of law, a change of heart, on the anniversary of Philando Castile's killing. "For years, Valerie Castile has worked to keep his memory a blessing. The family established the Philando Castile Relief Foundation, to help victims of gun and police violence, and to look out for the kids in the lunch line and beyond." ​Star Tribune (Jul. 10, 2021)
• Five years after his death, Philando Castile's mother criticizes lack of progress in police accountability. MPR News (Jul. 6. 2021)
• Family and activists remember Philando Castile five years after his death. Star Tribune (Jul. 6, 2021)
• 'Guerrilla gardens' take root across Twin Cities: "On the fifth anniversary (of Philando Castile's death) July 6, the Philando Castile Peace Garden committee will break ground on the garden with an expected completion date of Aug. 26, the opening of the State Fair." Star Tribune (Jul. 3, 2021)

• Falcon Heights to unveil Philando Castile street signs Wednesday Twin Cities Pioneer Press (Jun. 4, 2021)​

At the unveiling (l-r): Randy Gustafson, Falcon Heights Mayor; Melanie March Leehy, Falcon Heights City Council Member; Bishop Harding Smith, Spiritual Church of God, Brooklyn Center; and Valerie Castile, mother of Philando Castile.

Valerie (center) mother and Allysza Castile (left) sister of Philando Castile at a candlelight vigil in his honor. (Chris Juhn/MSR News)

• Valerie Castile: unbending, unbowed, MSR Minnesota Spokesman- Recorder (Apr. 24, 2021)

• Valerie Castile on Chauvin verdict: 'A victory for one is a victory for all.' Valerie Castile, mother of Philando Castile, recalls meeting George Floyd after her son's death, “He gave me a hug, a really big strong hug...You can feel people’s spirits when you meet them. You can just feel the energy that they have, and he had just a wonderful spirit." KARE 11 (Apr. 21, 2021)
• For mother of Philando Castile, Derek Chauvin's conviction brings joy and relief: Castile said her goal is to encourage young Black people to change the system from within. “I tell them, ‘In order to change the system, you have to be within the system,’ ” she said. ” ‘You have to be that police officer, be that mayor, be that congressman, be that representative. You can’t keep throwing stones. You have to beat this from the inside out.’ ”​Twin Cities Pioneer Press (Apr. 20, 2021)

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• Pilgrimage to Philando Castile Memorial Peace Garden (Apr. 4, 2021)

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• ​Families of those killed by police demand justice for George Floyd in former officer Derek Chauvin's trial, Star Tribune (Mar. 6, 2021)
• Community activists and families of loved ones killed at the hands of police demand justice: "We’re here to stand in unity as a visual statement to the state, says Valerie Castile. "We're not going to sit down, we're going to stand in unity." KARE 11 (Mar. 5, 2021)
• Duluthians show support for Philando Castile omnibus bill: 
  The bill, set to be heard in the Government Finance and Election Committee hearing on Thursday morning, seeks to improve socioeconomic and racial justice. Duluth News Tribune (Feb. 28, 2021)
• Philando Castile Memorial Avenue name approved for Larpenteur in Falcon Heights: Ground to be broken on Peace Garden this Spring, Twin Cities Pioneer Press (Feb. 25, 2021)
• My Son, Philando Castile, Was a Role Model. Here’s How I’m Keeping His Legacy Alive: “He wanted to ensure every child got a chance to eat.” bon appétit (Feb. 12, 2021)

• The Philando Castile Bill (HF 784 and SF 800)​ was introduced to the Minnesota House on Feb. 4, 2021. It provides funding for ending systemic racism and provisions that address racial injustice. If the bill were enacted, it would create five Philando Castile Family Centers in Minnesota. For more detail, click on the graphic to the right.​

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• City of Falcon Heights considers honorary road name change for Philando Castile, KARE 11 (Jan. 13, 2021)
• Time of Reckoning for Female and Femme Family, Healing Justice Foundation (Dec. 11, 2020). Time of Reckoning is a series of community engagement sessions grounded in healing justice, focusing on the criminal justice system and its collateral consequences on Black families in Minnesota. Each forum centers around a different family members’ experience. Valerie Castile is featured in the Female and Femme Family forum, which covers Black women and girls’ experience with the criminal justice system.​
• Valerie Castile Touts Pouch Intended To Prevent Traffic Stop Shootings, CBS Minnesota, WCCO 4 (Oct. 28, 2020)
• Philando Castile's mom honored for anti-racism work by St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation: She was one of four to receive the foundation's 14th annual Facing Race Awards, Star Tribune (Oct. 7, 2020)
• Driving while Black: ABC News analysis of traffic stops reveals racial disparities in several US cities (Sept. 9, 2020) "Driving while Black and dealing with law enforcement," Clarence (Philando Castile's uncle) said, "is one of the most serious and deadly encounters that could happen to a person of color these days."
• Remembering Philando Castile, four years later: 'We got strength in numbers now,' Star Tribune (Jul. 6, 2020)
• Philando Castile's mother shares pain, hopes for the future four years after his death, ABC Eyewitness News, KSTP 5 (Jul. 6, 2020)
• Four years after Philando Castile's death, Minnesota updates state's driver's manual for legal gun owners, CBS Minnesota, WCCO 4 (Jul. 6, 2020): "It's about keeping everyone safe."
• It's been four years since Philando Castile died. His mother thinks about him 'every breathing day,' Pioneer Press (Jul. 5, 2020)
• He was Philando Castile's friend. Now he's running for office, The New York Times (Jul. 5, 2020)
• Stacey Abrams and Philando Castile Relief Foundation among distinguished NEA honorees (Jun. 25, 2020)
• For mother of Philando Castile, George Floyd's death a nightmare revisited, Star Tribune (Jun. 4, 2020): "I've said it time after time. You cannot keep treating people this way."
• Minnesota's political, faith, community leaders plead for an end to riots, Star Tribune (May 30, 2020):  "Clarence Castile knows how hard it is..."

EVENTS

Restoration Day 2022: In honor and memory of Philando Castile, a candlelight vigil will be held at the Philando Castile Peace Garden at 8:35 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6th, otherwise known as Restoration Day. The vigil will be preceded by a family march around the Governor's mansion at 5:30 p.m.

Unity Day 2022: Unity Day will follow on Thursday, July 7th. A community BBQ will be held on the lawn outside Falcon Heights City Hall beginning at 5:30 p.m. Food, music, and other entertainment will be provided by the Castile family. Entertainment includes lots of local talent from comedy to brass instruments -- all great artists from right here in the state of Minnesota.

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INTERVIEWS

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Valerie Castile and Jackie Carter on Black Press USA (September 11, 2020): ​Mother of Philando Castile and Law Enforcement Expert Jackie Carter on the issue of police shootings during traffic stops and how individuals can prevent them from happening. Posted via Facebook.
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Vice News Tonight 
(Jun. 4, 2020): George Floyd's killing has reignited calls for justice nationwide. VICE News speaks with Valerie Castile, who also lost her son, Philando Castile, to police violence in 2016. ​

ChangeMakers: Valerie and Allysza Castile, carrying on Philando's spirit
MPR News (Feb. 27, 2019)

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‘We Have Had Enough’: Toolkit Seeks To Reduce, Prevent Police Shooting Deaths, CBS Minnesota, WCCO 4 (Feb. 28, 2019)
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