Neighbors Support Demonstrations At Governor's Mansion
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The scene in front of Gov. Mark Dayton's mansion Thursday night to some resembled the scene outside the Minneapolis Police Department's 4th precinct last fall.
The demonstrations were in response to the death of 32-year-old Philando Castile, who was shot to death during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights. The aftermath of his shooting was broadcast on Facebook by his girlfriend.
Like the protests that arose following the death of Jamar Clark, the demonstration was organized with tents, tables, bottles of water and boxes of snacks.
Neighborhood resident Tim O'Brien said he spent Thursday morning sitting by himself in the middle of Summit Avenue directly in front of the mansion's main gate.
"I think it's absolutely appropriate," he said. "We have to shift things, and they're not shifting from the top."
O'Brien said that there was support for the protests from other residents in the neighborhood.
"I stood with a neighbor last night and he's in complete solidarity with us," O'Brien said. "I haven't talked with anyone that's disagreed with what's going on here."
Police widened the area of Summit Avenue that's blocked from traffic. Officers said that area will stay blocked off for as long as is necessary.