Memorial & Peace Center
On June 12, 2020, in Atlanta, GA, Rayshard Brooks was murdered in a Wendy’s parking lot as he was running away from two police officers. The following day, in a demonstration of rage, mourning, and resistance, the same Wendy’s was set aflame. It is no accident that the Wendy’s Sit-In Activists arose in the midst of a need to heal and find peace. Geographer Ruth Wilson Gilmore once said, “abolition is about presence, not absence. It’s about building life-affirming institutions.” Now is the time to dismantle the life-draining to build the life-affirming.
On June 13, 2020, Wendy’s was engulfed in flames and left a pile of scorched rubble, but what emerged in the following days was a process of building community and creating a space that affirmed Black life rather than neglected it. Thus the Rayshard Brooks Memorial and Peace Center was born in the midst of so much loss.This memorial space has created life in a space of so much death

So today, we stand ready to envision, design and build our own future of what this site at 125 University Avenue can be for future generations. Out of the ashes, we aspire to rebuild a stronger community that supports black-owned businesses, local youth programs, economic development, fresh food, legal aid, entrepreneurship classes, parental counseling, Black empowerment and a memorial to black lives loss to state-sanctioned violence.
The time is now to heal black communities, lift up black voices and honor black lives. The people are ready to move. The place is here at 125 University Avenue.
Rayshard Brooks
Rayshard Brook's life was bigger than just another news headline.
Have you heard the story of the bird who had wings but never could fly? He was caged for his beauty but no one ever gave him a chance to show he could fly. This is the story of Rayshard Brooks, whose wings were clipped too soon. On Friday, June 12, 2020, an Atlanta Police Officer,Garrett Rolfe, shot him three times in the back where he died, just trying to escape the cage, in the middle of a Wendy’s parking lot.
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In Honor of Rayshard Brooks
latest Blog posts
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The Rayshard Brooks Peace Center Activists host March and Rally, this Saturday July 11, at 2:00pm to Renew Calls for Peace & Reconciliation
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The sleep-in activist at the memorial site of Rayshard Brooks mourns loss of 8-year old girl killed nearby and renews call for a Peace Center
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Local residents established a memorial and occupation site at the now incinerated Wendy’s called the Rayshard Brooks Memorial & Peace Center. I
News & Updates
Stay informed on updates about the Peace Center
As we get more details and updates about making the Rayshard Brook’s Peace Center into a reality, we want to keep you informed on how you can help. So please stay connected with us and we will certainly stay connected with you.