On November 20, 2014 Akai Gurley was senselessly shot and killed by former NYPD officer Peter Liang, accompanied by his partner- officer Shaun Landau, at the NYCHA Louis H. Pink Houses in East New York, Brooklyn. It has been 6 years of non-stop community struggle demanding justice for Akai Gurley! In 2020 the family of Akai Gurley, in coordination with the ANSWER Coalition and community organizers started the petitioning process to get a street named in Akai’s honor. We have waged a successful street naming campaign that included: getting community member signatures from in and around the Pink Houses, engaging with community board 5 and city council members. On November 20, 2021, on the 7th year anniversary of Akai's killing- Linden Blvd and Eldert Lane will officially be named Akai Gurley Way!

On November 20, 2021, there will be an official street naming ceremony to commemorate Akai Gurley Way. While Akai’s New York family will be attending the street naming ceremony- his mother, Slyvia Palmer and stepfather, Kenneth Palmer, want to also be present. However, because Akai’s mother and stepfather live in Florida, the community would like to support their travel and lodging expenses. All funds raised from this Gofundme go directly to Akai’s mother and stepfather’s travel and housing for the street naming ceremony.

Please donate what you can so that Akai’s mother can honor her son’s memory and celebrate his life alongside the East New York community and everyone touched by this case. On the 7th anniversary of Akai’s death, Akai Gurley Way will honor his legacy and stand as a beacon of justice for all families affected by police brutality and state sanctioned violence.

HANDS UP TO THE SKY, WE'RE STILL DOING IT FOR AKAI!