Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

Jess Sundin

By Jess Sundin

Rally supporting Somali youth entrapped by FBI

Minneapolis, MN – More than 100 people came to the Minneapolis Federal Courts Building to support three Muslim youth from the Somali community charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIL and to commit murder abroad. The trial began May 9, for Guled Ali Omar, 21; Abdurahman Yasin Daud, 22; and Mohamed Abdihamid Farah, 22, who were entrapped by the FBI and now face possible life sentences.

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By Jess Sundin

Minneapolis, MN – All eyes were on Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman today, March 30, as he announced “criminal charges are not warranted” against police officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze for the shooting death of Jamar Clark. The room and the hallway outside were packed with Clark’s family members and their supporters, who immediately denounced his decision and called for the community to take to the streets and keep up the fight for justice.

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By Jess Sundin

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Minneapolis, MN – Community leaders spoke out in united opposition, March 25, to Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau’s remarks about protests that are calling for justice for Jamar Clark, a 24-year-old African American man who was killed by police in November. Tensions are high as the community waits for Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to announce whether or not he will charge the officers for Clark’s murder.

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By Jess Sundin

Minneapolis, MN – An important victory came today, March 16, in the fight for justice for Jamar Clark, who was killed by Minneapolis police in November. For months, the family and community have been fighting for prosecution of those police, and saying no to the grand jury that Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman had said he would use to bring charges in the case. Today, Freeman announced that he has decided not to send this case to the grand jury, and to end the use of grand juries in police shootings in the county.

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By Jess Sundin

A screen shot of the video the racists took of themselves

Minneapolis, MN – Allen “Lance” Scarsella appeared in court here, March 15, charged with first degree assault, second degree riot, and five counts of second degree assault with a firearm resulting in substantial bodily harm, for his part in the November shooting of five people protesting the police killing of Jamar Clark. Scarsella faces a maximum sentence of 55 years.

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By Jess Sundin

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Minneapolis, MN – For the fourth week in a row, Friday, March 4 brought a crowd of protesters to the office of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, demanding justice for Jamar Clark, who was killed by Minneapolis police in November. Once again, Freeman was out of the office. This week, protesters came armed with a letter from Jamar’s parents, James and Wilma Clark. The open letter was directed to Freeman, as well as Governor Mark Dayton and Minneapolis Chief of Police Janeé Harteau, and was also shared with the media.

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By Jess Sundin

James Clark in the red hat,  Brettina Davis (center), and Collin Robinson (left)

Minneapolis, MN – For a third consecutive Friday, protesters descended on the office of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, Feb 26. It was the largest turnout yet for the Friday protests. Dozens demanded prosecution – and no grand jury – for the police that killed Jamar Clark last November. The action included the video testimony of an eyewitness to the police killing and the presence of Clark’s father, James Clark, who said, “There is no justice for Jamar, but there can be justice through Jamar.” Protesters say they will return again next week.

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #JamarClark

By Jess Sundin

Jodie Carroll, Brettina Davis and Wesley Martin

Minneapolis, MN – More than 50 people descended on the office of Hennepin County Prosecutor Mike Freeman, Feb. 19, for the second Friday in a row, to demand that he prosecute Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, the Minneapolis police officers that killed Jamar Clark. Protesters addressed their demands to two staff members. Speaking for the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar, Jodie Carroll presented the groups’ position and Brettina Davis asked where Mike Freeman was – apparently he was out sick.

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By Jess Sundin

Struggle to get justice for Jamar marches on

Protest inside City Hall demands justice for Jamar.

Minneapolis, MN – Hundreds descended upon City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 3, after eviction of an 18-day encampment set up to protest the killing of Jamar Clark outside the Fourth Precinct police station. 100 Minneapolis police raided the encampment at 3:45 a.m., arresting eight, then destroying the camp with bulldozers.

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By Jess Sundin

Minneapolis, MN – North Minneapolis was on high alert Monday, Nov. 30, after Mayor Betsy Hodges and Congressman Keith Ellison joined others in a press conference calling for an end to the occupation of the Fourth Precinct police station. The block of Plymouth Avenue in front of the police station has been closed for two weeks by protesters calling for justice for Jamar Clark, a 24-year-old African American man killed by police.

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