Glowing luminarias, guided meditations and the thrumming sounds of a didgeridoo will all be part of the public memorial to honor Justine Ruszczyk Damond.
Event will memorialize Justine Ruszczyk Damond, who was fatally shot by Minneapolis police
Attendees at Aug. 11 gathering are invited to wear bright blue in Damond's honor.
August 11, 2017 at 8:18PM
The gathering is planned for 6 p.m. Friday at the Lake Harriet Band Shell, with the formal service beginning at 7 p.m., her family announced last week. Those attending can gather early to hear music, write chalkboard messages and view a multimedia presentation about Damond.
The service will be live-streamed on the Star Tribune Facebook page, starting at 7 p.m.
A Minneapolis police officer shot and killed Damond July 15 after she dialed 911 to report what she believed was a sexual assault near her Minneapolis home.
Family members are encouraging people to wear bright blue colors to the memorial — one of Damond's signature hues. The event is being orchestrated with the meditation teacher and spiritual healer in mind, said Carolyn Vinup, who is planning the memorial.
There will also be special speakers, time for meditation, music and performance art involving a maypole — an image traditionally associated with spring.
"It's really about new beginnings and rebirth," said Summer Hills-Bonczyk, a close family friend who is choreographing the piece.
Atop the maypole will be a mural of Damond that Hills-Bonczyk said she plans to paint, along with artistic nods to Minneapolis, Sydney, Australia and Philando Castile, who also died in a police shooting. Silent reflection and walks around Lake Harriet will close the gathering.
In lieu of flowers, the family said donations can be made to the Justine Damond Memorial Fund, which supports social justice causes that were important to Damond.
Memorial service schedule:
6:00 – 6:50 p.m. Gathering time for music, prayer, fellowship, and reflection
6:50 – 7:00 p.m. Native American spiritual burning of sage
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Memorial service
8:30 – 10:00 p.m. Silent walk around Lake Harriet
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