Minneapolis rarely renames its streets after living people, but the city made an exception on Tuesday as a stretch of Plymouth Avenue on the city’s North Side was rechristened Spike Moss Way in honor of an activist who spent decades working to improve the lives of its Black citizens.
Harry “Spike” Moss, 78, fought for racial justice for decades, becoming one of the most well-known and outspoken activists in the city’s history. Members of the community turned out in droves for the renaming ceremony, joined by local officials who spoke of Moss’ importance in the local fight for civil rights. Some 300 people were on hand near the intersection of Newton Avenue and the newly rechristened street, in the heart of the neighborhood his efforts were focused on improving.
The Rev. Alfred Babington-Johnson, CEO of Minneapolis-based Stairstep Foundation, told the crowd that Moss was a key figure in the civil rights era who galvanized people around him in order to join in his push for equal rights.
”For more than four decades, he has operated as a watchman for our people,” Babington-Johnson said. “He’s embraced the lessons of history and applied them to his wisdom, and called us to action to raise our voices and battle indignity.”
The city intentionally renamed the street “Way” instead of “Street” in order to pay tribute to The Way Community Center, which Moss helped found in 1966. The center became a popular community gathering space for Black youth. A young Prince was a regular.
Speakers credited Moss with a crucial role in desegregating the Minneapolis Fire Department, and advocating for an increase in hiring of Black police officers.
Attorney General Keith Ellison, who spoke at the ceremony, said he thinks Moss inspired an “uncountable” number of people to become leaders — including himself.
“The first person who ever taught me you can organize, work and actually not just fight for justice but win some accountability was Spike Moss,” Ellison said in his speech.
