The prints below are part of "Rituals of Commemoration: THEY EXISTED," an artist book in the making that shines a light on the tragic loss of over 187 Black lives in Florida due to law enforcement actions since 1979. On average, U.S. police shoot and kill over 1,000 people annually, as reported by The Washington Post. Since 2015, The Post has recorded 9,767 fatal police shootings. (updated June 10, 2024)

Crafted with linoleum, letterpress, and polymer plates, each poster combines factual accounts and direct quotes from victims' families with poignant imagery to emphasize their humanity. The book aims to document and remember the individual stories that have often been ignored, with an initial run of 50 copies distributed free to libraries and universities in the affected communities.

This work builds on the 2014 initiative "Rituals of Commemoration," which features a memorial constructed from nine columns of inscribed or painted cement bricks. These bricks, categorized by decades and starting with Arthur Lee McDuffie in 1979, represent over 1,967 named victims. They function as both tombstones for the lives lost and as foundational elements for the impacted communities. The inscriptions encourage reflection on power dynamics, violence, and victimhood, merging contemporary art with historical preservation.

Fifty percent of all sales from these prints will benefit Mothers Against Police Brutality, supporting their crucial advocacy for justice and accountability. The remaining fifty percent will fund the ongoing creation of "Rituals of Commemoration: THEY EXISTED."