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 BCA has wrapped up its investigation of the fatal shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond by a Minneapolis police officer and present the case to the Hennepin county attorney.
This undated photo provided by Stephen Govel/www.stephengovel.com shows Justine Damond, of Sydney, Australia, who was fatally shot by police in Minneapolis on Saturday, July 15, 2017. Authorities say that officers were responding to a 911 call about a possible assault when the woman was shot. (Stephen Govel/www.stephengovel.com via AP) (Stephen Govel/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Glowing luminarias, guided meditations and the thrumming sounds of a didgeridoo will all be part of the public memorial to honor Justine Ruszczyk Damond.

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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Hannah Covington

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