Spike Moss | |
---|---|
Born | 1945or1946(age 79–80) |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Activist |
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]
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]