Protesters Rally In Mpls. To Demand Charges For Officers In Clark Case
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Protesters marched through Minneapolis streets on Saturday, as they wait to hear the fate of two officers involved in the shooting death of Jamar Clark.
About 200 rallied outside the Hennepin County Government Center for a couple of hours Saturday afternoon, then marched to the North Loop area of downtown.
Related: Timeline Of The Jamar Clark Case
The people marching blocked city streets and the light rail system for some time.
They want Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to charge the officers involved in Jamar Clark's death in with a crime.
Minneapolis NAACP president Nekima Levy-Pounds was among several speakers at the afternoon rally.
"Mike Freeman if you do not uphold the law you will be out in 2018," said Levy-Pounds.
Levy-Pounds stood next to Jamar Clark's father, with a clear message for Freeman and city leaders.
"We will not rest until we see justice for Jamar," Levy-Pounds said.
For these protesters, justice means Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, the officers who fatally wounded 24-year-old Clark, would be charged with murder.
"We will not be silenced," Levy-Pounds said.
The protest comes two days after Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau released a video warning protesters the police will not tolerate violence, regardless of the ruling in the case.
Levy-Pounds calls the video inflammatory and offensive. It shows images of people throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails, and the 18-day occupation of the 4th Precinct in November.
"Unless she has the power to rewrite the Constitution of the United States, she cannot stop us from exercising our rights to free speech," said Levy-Pounds.
Almost two hours into the rally, about 80 protesters began marching toward the North Loop section of downtown Minneapolis, saying upscale housing and businesses in the rapidly growing area represent income disparities in Minnesota.
Protesters briefly blocked some intersections and the light rail system across downtown Minneapolis as police officers directed traffic. No one was arrested.
The officers involved in Jamar Clark's shooting death were on paid administrative leave, but have since been placed on desk duty.
Black Lives Matter's Minneapolis chapter and the group Justice for Jamar say no matter what the future holds, protests will be peaceful.
A decision from the county attorney could come any day this week.