Protests Demanding Justice For Jamar Clark Planned Friday, Saturday
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A number of protests and demonstrations are planned during the next few days in the name of the man who was fatally shot by Minneapolis police last month.
More than 1,000 protesters may march and rally on Saturday over the death of Jamar Clark, who died during a confrontation with two police officers in north Minneapolis. Outrage over his death has sparked demonstrations and marches ever since.
Saturday's event starts at the police headquarters in north Minneapolis and ends at the Hennepin County Government Center.
Protesters want any videos of Clark's killing released and they want the officer who shot him to be prosecuted.
Also, a group on Facebook announced they planned to rally outside the police department's 4th Precinct at 5 p.m. Friday. Organizers said they want police to take down fencing put up during last month's 'round-the-clock protest.
Minneapolis police responded on Facebook, saying most of those fences were already gone.
"Crews recently removed the majority of fencing around the precinct as part of our continued effort to improve accessibility for the community," the Facebook post said. "A fence on the west side is still up for security purposes, but we will continue to assess the needs of our officers and the community and act accordingly."
Demonstrators are also planning to protest inside the Mall of America next Wednesday, the day before Christmas Eve. The group Black Lives Matter did that last December, as well.
"Although they destroyed our occupation, they will not destroy our spirits. If we don't get justice for Jamar Clark and Black Minnesotans, we will return to the Mall of America," the group said on Facebook. "We have endured an armed white supremacist terrorist attack where 5 of us were shot; police violence in the form of mace, batons, and less lethal projectiles; over 50 arrests on highway 94 and at the 4th Precinct; and freezing temperatures to demand justice for Jamar Clark. If it's not clear yet: we won't stop until we get it."
The mall has said it bans any political demonstrations.
