They assembled outside Patrick Henry High School, covering their cars with signs bearing slogans such as “Jamar Clark matters” and “Demand community control of police.” After a few announcements, with chants ringing out over a sound system on the roof of a front car, some 60 vehicles caravanned more than three miles through North Minneapolis, ending on Plymouth Avenue, near where Clark was killed.

On November 15, 2015, 24-year-old Jamar Clark was shot in the head just 61 seconds after encountering Minneapolis Police Department officers Dustin Schwarze and Mark Ringgenberg. In the 18 days after Clark’s murder, community members occupied the 4th Precinct police station, and demanded prosecution of the two officers. Organizers say that while Jamar Clark did not get the justice he deserved, from that struggle, they won the end of the automatic use of secret grand juries to cover up police homicide cases, forcing a bit of transparency in these killings.

“We are here today, because Jamar Clark matters. We are here today because the officers that murdered Jamar Clark have faced no accountability. We are here today because there have been no systemic changes to prevent this from happening again. There has been no justice,” said Kelly Thomas of Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar. “We stand here today, lifted up on the shoulders of our ancestors, demanding justice. Demanding meaningful systemic changes.”

She continued, “In TCC4J, one of the ways that we are fighting for our collective freedom is through a Civilian Police Accountability Commission. CPAC. We want police accountability, and we want community control of the police. We can't regulate what we don't control. We can't hold accountable systems that we have no say in. CPAC is how we take control of our futures. CPAC is how we fight back. CPAC is how we start to get justice for all lives stolen by MPD.”

In addition to Thomas, speakers from Black Lives Matter Minnesota, Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence, Communities United Against Police Brutality, and members of Jamar Clark’s family all addressed the crowd. They demanded community control of the police via CPAC, the firing of MPD officers Schwarze and Ringgenberg, justice for all stolen lives, and that a new train route stop in the neighborhood be named in honor of Jamar Clark.

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark #TwinCitiesCoalition4JusticeForJamarTCC4J

Minneapolis, MN – On November 15, over 50 people gathered in North Minneapolis to honor the six-year struggle for justice for Jamar Clark, who was killed in 2015 by the Minneapolis Police Department. After Clark’s murder, the community came together and held an 18-day occupation at the Minneapolis 4th Precinct police station; the action was dubbed the #4thPrecinctShutdown. The Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J) combined different circles of organizations and communities in the initial fight for “no grand jury,” releasing any footage, and an independent investigation.

The memorial was hosted by Project Jamar Saving Me, an organization run by Jamar’s family.

Family and TCC4J spoke during the press conference about the historical struggle and its impact in building the movement. After additional fellowship, community moved to the memorial site for a candlelight vigil. The night ended in celebration with a vow to continue the fight for community control of the police.

Loretta VanPelt read the following statement on behalf of TCC4J:

“TCC4J is honored to continue working with the family of Jamar Clark and so many other families who have unfortunately lost loved ones to police crimes. In 2015, after the brutal murders and coverups of Marcus Golden in Saint Paul and Jamar Clark in Minneapolis, we saw the movement to stop police crimes and support Black liberation take a great leap forward. This leap would be the foundation for victories in case after case to combat police terror in our communities from Philando Castile, Justine Damond, George Floyd and too many others.

“However, we have also learned many other valuable lessons along the way. Every day we struggle to build a multi-class, multi-national united front to stop police terror and ensure safety for all in our communities. We have seen that it must be built in conjunction with those most impacted by police terror – in particular, families, Black, brown and indigenous communities, and under the leadership of the working class.

“Recently, we have seen what will happen if this isn’t the strategy in use. Just a few weeks ago we saw a ballot measure to ‘address’ police accountability fail. Almost $4 million that could have gone to impacted families was spent in the struggle over this ballot amendment. The ballet measure and its proponents are so detached from the movement and community, that it was defeated in the Black and brown wards that have seen some of the worst police crimes over the past six years.

“While others may be asking ‘what is to be done?’ members of TCC4J have continued to stay by the sides of families and communities impacted by police crimes. That is why we are here today with Jamar’s family. This is also why we continue to fight for our charter amendment for community control of the police via the Civilian Police Accountability Commission. And why in the next few weeks we will be joining people from across the country in Chicago at the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression meeting to ensure that a National movement to stop police crimes continues.”

TCC4J continues to demand:

Reopen all the cases! Indite, convict, send all the killer cops to jail – especially Schwarze and Ringgenberg! Community control of the police via CPAC! All power to the people!

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark

Minneapolis, MN – On November 14, over 150 people gathered in North Minneapolis to honor the five-year mark since Jamar Clark was killed by the Minneapolis Police department on November 15, 2015. It also marks the five-year anniversary of the heightened struggle locally against police terror and its progression to demand community control of the police to stop killer cops.

New and veteran members of Twin Cities Coalition 4 Justice 4 Jamar (TCC4J) lead the protesters from the neighborhood that Minnesota Attorney General Elision lives in, to the memorial site of Plymouth and James Avenues, where Clark was killed.

Precautions against COVID were taken, including shifting to a well-organized car caravan protest.

In addition to the call for justice for Jamar and TCC4J’s longtime demand of community control of police, the demands for the march include calls to: -- Reopen all the cases against killer cops -- Free all political prisoners, such as Myon Burrell and the protesters who were jailed during the summer uprising -- Ban the use of memory-altering drugs and reassess EMT training, specifically addressing the racial bias within it; hold EMTs accountable for their complicity with the police in administering drugs such as ketamine, and their delaying treatment of victims.

Speakers from the movement, families and TCC4J echoed the lessons learned in the struggle for justice for Jamar and to continue to build the movement. TCC4J encourages people to attend the new member meetings to build the fight for CPAC!

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark #civilianPoliceAccountabilityCouncilCPAC #TwinCitiesCoalition4JusticeForJamarTCC4J

Minneapolis, MN – About 30 vehicles drove through North Minneapolis on Sunday, May 3, to mark the day that Jamar Clark should have turned 29 years old. Horns blaring, the caravan made its way to the block where Clark was killed by police in November 2015. Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar brought together family and community members to celebrate Clark’s life, and to continue the fight for justice through Jamar.

Getting out of their cars at the corner of James and Plymouth Avenues, they raised signs and banners and chanted to honor Jamar Clark’s memory.

As family and community members gathered with banners and signs, the Plymouth Avenue street sign was replaced with one for “Jamar Clark Ave.” After an hour of speeches and chanting, the group marched two blocks to the Fourth Precinct police station where protesters had closed the street for 18 days in 2015 to demand “Justice for Jamar.”

Family members spoke about Jamar’s life, and organizers raised several demands, including: Reopen the case and prosecute Minneapolis Police Department officers Dustin Schwarze and Mark Ringgenberg for Clark’s murder; an all-civilian police accountability council – actual, community control of the police; freedom for Myon Burrell, and depopulating prisons and jails in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers also called for an end to the inequalities that have made the pandemic so much more deadly for African Americans and other oppressed people. They took steps to ensure the health and safety of participants, including passing out masks and hand sanitizer donated by the Racial Justice Network, and encouraging social distancing throughout the action.

#MinneapolisMN #OppressedNationalities #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark #TwinCitiesCoalition4JusticeForJamarTCC4J

Minneapolis, MN – On November 15, the community celebrated a “newly installed” Jamar Clark Avenue street sign on the former corner of Plymouth and James Avenues in North Minneapolis. The renaming was in honor of Jamar Clark, on the night that marked four years since November 15, 2015, when Jamar was shot in the head within 61 seconds of an encounter with Minneapolis Police Department officers Schwarze and Ringgenberg. In the 18 days that followed, community members occupied the 4th Precinct police station in North Minneapolis, demanding justice and calling for the prosecution of the two officers that killed Jamar Clark.

There is a permanent memorial installation by the family and community on the place were Jamar Clark was stolen from his family and community. Before the four-year memorial, Jamar’s family prepared the area and setup food and drink for the community in the garden across the street. The night opened up with the family, community and TCC4J joining chants. Families of those who were murdered by the police, including Toshira Garraway, Taren Vang and Irma Burns spoke. Loretta VanPelt, Angel Smith-El, and Daphne Brown emceed and spoke for TCC4J.

VanPelt said, “This year, TCC4J will enter into its fifth year of fighting for justice, standing with community, for Black liberation, and an end to police terror. Today, we see with the opening of Jamar Clark Avenue that it is the community that will take back our power. We will advance the struggle by fighting for community control of the police! Justice through Jamar!” Brown spoke on the upcoming refounding of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, which will occur on the weekend of November 22 in Chicago, Illinois.

Community and family joined TCC4J in a march to the 4th Precinct police station, which continues to be the seat of police terror in Minneapolis. Together they chanted and shut down the block in front of the 4th Precinct building. Later a Minneapolis police squad car rolled up alongside the ‘justice-mobile’ [marshal car] which was escorting the marchers. An elderly white man in plain clothes also appeared from the shadows, who oddly was wearing what resembled a police badge. He turned out to be retired lieutenant Steve Sizer. Then the police officer – Sergeant Kenneth Tidgwell – got out and began harassing the driver of the justice-mobile and Sizer began harassing protesters. Tidgwell demanded that the driver run over protesters. Tidgwell is known for assaulting demonstrators at the 2015 occupation.

Sergeant Tidgwell then walked over to the crowd and began assaulting an organizer from TCC4J. The community and family came to their aid. The cop yelled “Who is in charge?” The crowd answered back, “Jamar.” The officer responded, “Jamar who? I need to talk to him now!” The crowd responded with “Jamar Clark, pig! And you can’t talk to him because you killed him four years ago!” The protesters then began chanting, “1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11, fuck 12!” and moved forward as the Sizer harassed other protesters. The advance by the community caused the officer Tidgwell to flee; Sizer also got into the cop car and they both drove off.

Protesters returned to the memorial sight and celebrated their continued struggle to defend their community, for Black liberation and an end to police terror. As family, community and TCC4J gathered around the newly minted Jamar Clark Avenue sign, light glittered the night sky.

TCC4J, families, and community will continue to organize and fight back against police terror under the demands of: Reopen the case surrounding the murder of Jamar and prosecute Minneapolis Police Department officers Dustin Schwarze and Mark Ringgenberg. Stop police terror in our communities – justice for all victims of police violence including the families and survivors. Community control of the police – actual, community control, not the current rubber-stamp systems that exist.

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark

Minneapolis, MN – Community members took over the office of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, June 12. They demanded the mayor take the actions – actions that he has the power to take – to get justice for the family of Jamar Clark.

Earlier that afternoon, after a rally organized by Twin Cities Coalition 4 Justice for Jamar (TCC4J), protesters marched into Frey’s office, demanding to meet with him. They bore a funeral wreath constructed of dollar bills to represent the lack of a meaningful settlement in Jamar’s case.

During an all-day session last month – at nearly the same time that the city announced a $20 million settlement for the family of Justine Damond Ruszczyk – the city of Minneapolis refused to even make Jamar’s family a settlement offer. Damond Ruszczyk, a white woman living in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city, was murdered by a Minneapolis cop in 2017. Minneapolis cops murdered Jamar Clark was in November 2015.

The three demands for the action were: a just settlement for the family of Jamar Clark; the firing of the officers who killed Jamar and that the mayor refer the two cops for prosecution.

In just a few weeks, over 1000 community members have signed a petition urging city officials to agree to a settlement that could “show that we value the life of a Black man from North Minneapolis as much as that of white woman from Southwest Minneapolis. No amount of money will bring beloved community members back; but if Justine’s life is worth $20 million, so is Jamar’s. Justice demands it.”

Once in the mayor’s office, the 35 protesters started playing videos (with the speakers on blast) that showed witness statements from the scene of Jamar’s murder, to drive home the message to the mayor that he must fire Jamar’s killers, police officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze. They posted dozens of signs to the office walls listing their demands. The emcees read out the names of people who signed the petition. The occupiers gave out phone numbers to the mayor and city councilors and did a mass call-in. Speakers from Native Lives Matter, Communities United Against Police Brutality and others affected by police violence and murder spoke.

A statement sent out by TCCC4J during the occupation read, “The mayor has the power over the police department, so we put the burden of guilt upon him. He could take real action to get a measure of justice for Jamar and other victims. But he does nothing. That is just one of the reasonsTCC4J is fighting for a Minneapolis Police Accountability Council – an elected council of civilians who have the power over the cops. Until that day comes, we will keep fighting officials like the mayor who keep cops like Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze in full MPD uniform, not fired and on trial for murder.”

Building security tried several times to get the community members to leave, but they refused. After four hours, they left in defiance, having exposed Mayor Frey as another do-nothing politician complicit in the murder of Black and brown people.

#MinneapolisMN #OppressedNationalities #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #PoliceBrutality #RacismInTheCriminalJusticeSystem #JamarClark #TwinCitiesCoalition4JusticeForJamarTCC4J #JacobFrey

Minneapolis, MN – Community and family members gathered May 20 for a press conference to demand that the city of Minneapolis give the family of Jamar Clark a settlement equal to that awarded to the family of Justine Ruszczyk Damond. The Jamar Clark’s family has brought a civil suit against the city after the 2015 police murder, and mediation will take place May 21 inside the federal courthouse where the press conference was held.

Mediation comes after a May 3 decision by the Minneapolis city council to reject a settlement with the Clark family. On that same day, the city council announced a $20 million settlement award for the police killing of Damond, a white woman living in an affluent corner of the city. As they head into mediation, both sides of Jamar’s family, the Burns and the Clarks, have broad support.

Hundreds of have signed a petition that says, in part, “We value the life of a Black man from North Minneapolis as much as that of white woman from Southwest Minneapolis. No amount of money will bring beloved community members back; but if Justine’s life is worth $20 million, so is Jamar’s. Justice demands it.”

James Clark, Jamar’s adopted father, said, “It’s sad that a Black man has to go through so much to get justice, and still justice ain’t been done and it’s sad. There is no justice for Black people. I’m sorry, I’m sad, I’m disappointed that this world is like this, because there should be justice for everybody.”

Several of Jamar’s biological siblings were also present. His brother, Eddie Sutton, said, “We are just here to send out a message that justice should be served evenly. We’re here in solidarity with Justine and still fighting for justice for Jamar.”

“Jamar Clark’s killers were never held accountable for their actions. Both sides of Jamar’s family have waited too long for someone to answer for what was taken from them,” said Angel Smith El of the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J). “We stand with them. We call on the city of Minneapolis to settle this lawsuit quickly and generously. We want Jamar Clark’s family to get a settlement equal to what Justine’s family got.”

Nekima Levy Armstrong, of the Racial Justice Network and former president of Minneapolis NAACP, blasted the city’s failure to hold police accountable. “The city of Minneapolis and Hennepin County continue to send a message time and time again that Black lives don’t matter. Many of us have been out on the front lines for years demanding that city government officials clean up the Minneapolis Police Department and remove those officers who have a history of excessive force, like [Jamar Clarks’ killers] Ringgenberg and Schwarze, who never should have been on the force in the first place.” After calling for a settlement of “at least $20 million,” she went further. “We also ask that Ringgenberg and Schwarze be fired from the Minneapolis Police Department. They are still armed and dangerous to the people of Minneapolis, and particularly to Black residents. And we call for resignation of our incompetent, racist county attorney Mike Freeman.”

Sarah Kuhnen, of Justice for Justine, stated, “We have to acknowledge that in our city most victims of police violence are people of color, and that racism and white supremacy are the reasons they don’t receive the treatment Justine Damond received. What Justine has gotten, we want for everyone.”

“We need to stop spending millions in taxpayer dollars for the pain that police officers inflict on city residents day after day,” said Angel Smith El. “In Minneapolis, we have a mayor and city council that refuse to get violent cops off our streets. Jamar’s killers had complaints against them, Justine’s killer did, and even the president of the police federation has dozens of complaints and lawsuits. We don’t want these kinds of officers patrolling our streets. We are for taking power over the police back into our hands, and we are organizing for community control of the police through an independent, elected, all-civilian Minneapolis Police Accountability Council, MPAC.”

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #JamarClark

Minneapolis, MN – A defiant crowd shut-down Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis, November 15, to mark the third year since the police murder of Jamar Clark. The evening began with a vigil, “at the place where Jamar Clark took his last breaths,” according to an invitation from the organizers, Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J).

In 2015, 24-year-old Jamar Clark was shot in the head within 61 seconds of an encounter with Minneapolis police. Plymouth Avenue outside the Fourth Precinct was the site of an 18-day occupation, complete with tents, bonfires and thousands of people taking a historic stand against police crimes, all in protest of the sickening murder of Clark.

Clark’s family started gathering in the early evening, laying out dozens of votive candles spelling out his name, “Jamar,” at the site where he died. Community members joined in, with signs, more candles, and banners, growing to more than 200 people.

After chants demanding “Justice for Jamar,”, Minister Toya Woodland, an organizer with TCC4J, opened the program with prayer calling for justice. Jamar’s nephews and nieces shared a rap dedicated to him, and then Cassandra Tucker – whose son Isaiah was killed last year by police in Oshkosh, Wisconsin – shared a song dedicated to Jamar’s memory. Jamar’s mother, Irma Burns, spoke, urging the crowd to never give up, and to remain united. TCC4J organizer Angel Smith El closed the vigil with the words of Assata Shakur.

Then the vigil took over both sides of Plymouth Avenue and marched to the Fourth Precinct police station, holding high signs reading, “Prosecute Ringgenberg and Schwarze!” in reference to the two police officers who murdered Jamar Clark, and “Justice Thru Jamar Community Control of MPD Now.”

Someone launched several fireworks over the roof of the cops’ building as the march passed. The protesters then stormed into a neighboring building, where a local city council person was hosting a ward meeting.

Earlier in the week, Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison, son of the career politicians Keith Ellison and Kim Ellison, planned a community meeting for that night. Organizers from TCC4J, community members, and family members of Jamar Clark asked the councilmember to change the date of his meeting, which was the same night as the vigil. They pointed out that it was the murder of Jamar Clark that caused several local politicians to be unseated, due demands made by the local movement against police crimes in exposing negligence of politicians who refuse to hold killer cops accountable.

TCC4J organizers and community members were outraged at how tone deaf Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison was to hold such a bland event just blocks from where Jamar Clark was murdered, on the third anniversary of his death. Minister Toya Woodland, an organizer with TCC4J, led the charge into the meeting in which protesters outnumbered attendees eight to one. Organizers and community members Nekima Levy Armstrong, Sam Martinez, Raeisha Williams, Kim Handy Jones, Angel Smith El, Monique Cullor-Doty and several family members of Jamar Clark held the politicians accountable, while Minister Toya kept the crowd going with chants. The event was broadcast live by Dani VanPelt, a  TCC4J youth member. Link to video: https://www.facebook.com/TCC4J/videos/2142792959370803/

The November 15 vigil was one day in a week of action for #JusticeThuJamar. The demands for the week of justice included: Reopen the case surrounding the murder of Jamar and prosecute Minneapolis Police Department officers Dustin Schwarze and Mark Ringgenberg; stop police terror in our communities – justice for all victims of police violence; Community Control of the Police – actual, community control, not the current rubber-stamp systems that exist; and justice for Travis Jordan, a native Hawaiian killed last week by Minneapolis police.

For more information, see tinyurl.com/tcc4j or Facebook @tcc4j.

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark #TwinCitiesCoalitionForJustice4Jamar

Minneapolis, MN – On May 3, around 50 people gathered for a remembrance of Jamar Clark’s birthday. The event was called by the Burns’ side of Jamar Clark’s family with support from the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J).

TCC4J is an organization that took up organizing and won the ‘No Grand Jury’ campaign after the Fourth Precinct occupation and has continued the fight against police crimes. Most recently, TCC4J has taken up a campaign for community control of the Minneapolis Police Department.

The demonstration began at 5:30 p.m. when the North Side community, TCC4J, friends, and family gathered at the memorial sight off Plymouth and James. This site is where Jamar Clark was murdered by Minneapolis Police officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze on Nov. 15, 2015.

After community fellowship, speeches began. Loretta VanPelt spoke for the TCC4J honoring Jamar Clark and about continuing the fight for justice through community control of the police. Irma Burns, Jamar’s birth mother, and hia sisters spoke on the fight for Jamar and thanked TCC4J for its continued work. After speeches, there was a memorial balloon release.

Video of speeches Memorial balloon release

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark #TwinCitiesCoalitionForJustice4JamarClark #TCC4J

Minneapolis, MN – On May 3, 100 people gathered together for a demonstration remembering Jamar Clark’s 26th birthday. The event was called by the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J) who took up organizing and won the ‘No Grand Jury’ campaign after the Fourth Precinct Occupation.

The demonstration began at 8 p.m. across the from the Minneapolis Police Department Fourth Precinct headquarters. After a crowd had gathered, they then took to the streets chanting Jamar Clark’s name. The crowd marched down to Plymouth and James, the site where Jamar Clark was murdered on Nov. 15, 2015 by killer cops Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze. A program was held at the memorial site and then a march back to the Fourth Precinct ended the action after 10 p.m.

Several activists from the Fourth Precinct occupation, Black Lives Matter-Saint Paul, Minneapolis NAACP, Justice Occupation for Philando, Native Lives Matter Grassroots, and Justice for Marcus Golden, joined the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar at the demonstration. Community members also came out and joined the march led by the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar and included nearly 20 members of the Burns family.

The protest at the Fourth Precinct started with music from the Black Lives Matter movement, including Kenrick Lamar’s Alright and Vic Mensa’s 16 Shots.

Monique Cullars Doty, aunt of Marcus Golden who was murdered by the Saint Paul Police Department, and member of the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice Jamar and Black Lives Matter Saint Paul, spoke on the role police play in protecting property and the ruling class.

Nekima Levy-Pounds, 2015-16 Minneapolis NAACP president spoke on the role of the community in holding police accountable for their actions.

Members from the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar also spoke on the role that TCC4J, other community groups, and the twin cities community played in winning the No Grand Jury campaign in the Jamar Clark case and the precedent it set for the movement against police crimes. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman had told the activist community that there would be a grand jury for the murder of Jamar Clark and no one would be able to change it. However, the work of TCC4J did change it and led to Freeman indicating he wouldn’t have grand juries in future cases where police murders members of the community. This victory was integral in the prosecution of Geronimo Yanez, the police offider who killed Philando Castile on July 6, 2016.

After the speeches, the community took to the street. At Plymouth and James – where Jamar Clark was murdered by the Minneapolis Police Department, several members of the Burns family joined TCC4J and the community in decorating the memorial site and lighting over 200 candles along the boulevard.

Levy-Pounds led a prayer as additional family and community members came out to join TCC4J and others from the movement to fight police crimes and fight for Black Lives. Jayanthi Kyle shared a freestyle rendition of one of her songs and A Day’s Gonna Come When I Don’t March No More. TCC4J members spoke on Trump’s racist edicts targeting the Black Lives Matter movement and making room for police to suppress activist movements. A call was made to continue the fight against the police crimes and to fight against white supremacists.

After march back to the Fourth Precinct, chants of “Black lives matter” and “Jamar Clark” continued. The community shut down both lanes of traffic in front of the Fourth precinct and commenced in securing the road. Jayanthi Kyle and youth from the Minnesota Governor’s mansion occupation for Philando Castile led further songs and chants. Chantyll Allen from BLM-Saint Paul led the Assatta Shakur “Fight for Our Freedom” chant. As fireworks were lit, Satara Strong from BLM Saint Paul Youth Squad led Fred Hampton’s “I am a Revolutionary” chant.

The event ended at 10 p.m. However, the community remained gathered in the street.

#MinneapolisMN #US #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #RacismInTheCriminalJusticeSystem #Antiracism #JamarClark #Justice4Jamar

The first call came in to Cameron Clark – the jury would come back in 15 minutes, to say whether the man who shot him would be found guilty for his crimes. Through phone calls, texts and social media, Cameron and friends filled helped filled the courtroom, when Allen “Lance” Scarsella was brought in to face the jury. He was found guilty on all 12 counts against him, for his actions on Nov. 23, 2015, at the protest demanding justice for Jamar Clark, where Scarsella shot and wounded five Black protesters, including Jamar’s cousin Cameron.

The guilty verdicts came as a relief to many who’d been watching the trial and expecting the worst. From the selection of a jury that was nearly all white and suburban, to the defense’s closing argument that Scarsella had acted in self-defense in the face of a crowd of loud, angry Black protesters, the outcome seemed rigged in favor of upholding the violence of white supremacy.

Instead, the jury saw through Scarsella’s lies, laid bare in large part by evidence of his own deeply-seated racism. Dozens of Scarsella’s text messages were shown in court, full of disgusting racist slurs, combined with an obsession using guns to kill Black people. Also, the struggle for justice for Jamar Clark and other fights against police murders certainly helped this jury believe that Black lives do matter.

About the verdict, Cameron said, “I’m happy that the verdict came out the way that it came out, and me and the four other brothers got justice, but you know the fight is not over.” Scarsella had three companions the night of the shooting, who have not yet been tried. Also, a police officer who frequently exchanged racist messages with Scarsella has not been disciplined. Of these, Cameron added, “We’re gonna get the other guys, and the officer he texted racist messages with… we’re coming for all of them, one by one.”

Scarsella will remain in Hennepin County Jail until a sentencing hearing on March 10.

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #RacismInTheCriminalJusticeSystem #Antiracism #JamarClark #Justice4Jamar

Activists who have done work around the Jamar Clark case were ready to ask the hard questions, especially of Bob Kroll and Mike Freeman. The discussion started out with ten pre-selected questions, and then those present were able to ask questions. But an hour in, that was not to be.

Bob Kroll was challenged for his affiliation with City Heat, a white supremacist motorcycle gang, and for his public statements calling Black Lives Matter protesters “terrorists.”

Asked about his biggest regret being a prosecutor, Mike Freeman stated that using grand juries in other police shootings was a mistake and that going forward, since the Jamar Clark case, he will no longer use grand juries. The audience asked him why his biggest regret was not his failure to charge a single officer in 52 cases of police murdering innocent people under his watch. James Clark, Jamar’s father, confronted Freeman about his son’s case and the racism he sees from law enforcement in the community every day. Dennis Cherry, Sr., a witness to the Clark murder, asked why the accounts of two dozen Black witnesses were ignored in Freeman’s decision not to prosecute Clark’s killers.

Activists challenged Freeman on the case of white supremacists who shot five young men during the Fourth Precinct occupation. Cameron Clark, who was wounded in the attack, was present at the event. Chauntyll Allen asked Freeman why he sat with the family of one of the shooters during a bail hearing. Freeman denied this, but several audience members took to their feet, saying they had seen him with their own eyes.

Moments later the panel left, not wanting to hear the truth. Those who attended did not believe that any transparency happened. In the words of one audience member, it was a “dog and pony,” show.

The meeting took place just blocks from where Jamar Clark was shot by two Minneapolis officers on November 15, 2015.

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark #MikeFreeman #BobKroll

100 people marched through North Minneapolis, Nov. 13, to remember Jamar Clark, and continue the fight for justice and against police crimes. The event kicked off a week of actions to mark one year since Clark was killed by Minneapolis police. Organized by the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice (TCC4J), the action opened with a rally at Broadway and Lyndale Avenues, then took to the streets for about three miles, marching past the Fourth police precinct and to the site of Clark’s murder at James and Plymouth Avenues.

On Nov. 15, 2015, 24-year-old Jamar Clark was shot in the head during a 61-second encounter with Minneapolis police officers Dustin Schwarze and Mark Ringgenberg. In the 18 days that followed, community members occupied the nearby Fourth Precinct police station, demanding justice and calling for the prosecution of the two officers that killed Jamar Clark. Courtney Donelson, who took part in that occupation, opened the rally for the Coalition, with a moment of silence by noting, “It’s almost a year since Jamar Clark was killed by the MPD.” Describing what has become an epidemic of police killings, especially African American communities, she said, “Just remember that this happens way too often.”

Also speaking at the rally was Jamar’s father, James Clark. James shared positive memories of his son, and decried the injustice of his death at the hands of police, who claimed to fear for their lives when they shot him. James said, “Jamar didn’t have no weapon, he didn’t have anything but himself. To me the only person that was in danger was Jamar.” He thanked community members for their support, and urged everyone to keep fighting.

Shvonne Johnson, speaking of how the past year has been difficult, offered comfort with her beautiful rendition of the song Something Inside So Strong.

With that, the group took to the streets behind a banners that read “Justice4Jamar” and “No justice no peace, no racist police!” chanting, “Indict, convict, send those killer cops to jail!” From busy Broadway Avenue, to the quieter streets, on every block, community members cheered for the marchers and joined the chants, as everyone remembered Jamar Clark.

Marchers rallied again outside the Fourth Precinct police station. Austin Jackson of AR-14 for Justice spoke emotionally about beginning his activism there, in the protests for Jamar Clark. 16 shots by Vic Mensa, about the murder of Laquan McDonald by Chicago police, was played before protesters moved to the nearby site of Jamar’s murder. There was another moment of silence, and two of Jamar’s cousins spoke.

In his last days, Jamar wrote on social media that believed his life had a “higher purpose.” Those who took to the streets of Minneapolis to demand justice for him agree, and honor his memory by fighting to win #JusticeThruJamar, which will be the theme for actions all week.

Monday, supporters will call Hennepin County Prosecutor Mike Freeman, who failed to charge the cops that killed Jamar. He justified his decision with a series of lies. He told the public that Jamar had been involved in a domestic violence matter the police were responding to. This is a proven lie. He claimed that Jamar was acting aggressively, resisting arrest and trying to take an officer’s gun. But these lies weren’t backed up by video evidence, or the accounts of two dozen Black eyewitnesses. Freeman has also brought lenient charges against the white supremacists that shot five people at the protests for Jamar Clark. Call Mike Freeman at 612-348-5550. Demand that he look at Jamar Clark’s case again, and bring charges against Schwarze and Ringgenberg, and urge him to throw the book at the violent racists who terrorized protesters last year.

Tuesday, Nov. 15, the community will gather at Plymouth and James Avenues at 5 p.m., for a candlelight vigil at the site of Jamar’s murder. More information about this and other #JusticeThruJamar events can be found at facebook.com/tcc4j

#MinneapolisMN #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #Antiracism #JamarClark #Justice4Jamar

Minneapolis, MN – Few were surprised here on Friday, Oct. 21, when MPD Chief Jenee Harteau announced that the department had cleared its own officers of wrongdoing in the killing of 24-year-old Jamar Clark almost a year ago. With Mayor Betsy Hodges at her side, the chief regurgitated the same defense offered by Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman when he announced in March that he would not prosecute the cops who killed Jamar.

Harteau opened with the false claim that “DNA evidence does show Clark grabbed Officer Ringgenberg’s holster and gun.” Jamar’s DNA was found there, but his finger prints were not. Following Freeman’s earlier use of this same ‘evidence,’ independent sources explained that DNA can be transferred both from direct contact, but also from someone or something touching the gun after first touching Clark. That Ringgenberg had thrown Clark to the ground and landed on top of him was clearly enough contact to transfer that DNA, without Jamar reaching for or touching the gun at all.

When Freeman did his March presentation, he had played video from the night of Jamar’s killing. Many were deeply disturbed to see Ringgenberg wrap his arm around Jamar from behind, suddenly and violently throwing him to the ground. That decision is what led Ringgenberg to claim he’d lost control of his gun, as he laid flailing on top of Jamar. Ringgenberg then urged his partner to shoot Jamar. Schwarze obliged, putting the gun to Jamar’s head, and firing. Freeman did not address that takedown in his defense of the officers.

Family and community members have challenged the takedown as unnecessary and in violation of MPD policies. Harteau responded that it is wrong describe the maneuver as a “choke hold,” and dismissed the concerns, “While this may not be a specific technique the MPD instructs, that does not mean it was unauthorized.” She continued, “Therefore, the use of deadly force was warranted given the fact that both officers feared for the loss of life based on the belief that Clark was either in possession of the officer’s handgun or would imminently be in possession of the officer’s handgun if not stopped immediately.”

For months, the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar has railed against the “61-second cover-up.” Activists say Jamar was killed when police arrived on the scene, where no crime had occurred, and where there was no threat. In 61 seconds, they escalated this to a situation where they claim they had to shoot an unarmed man.

This clearly bothered Harteau, who countered, “I would also like to address the ‘often-cited’ timeframe of 61 seconds. Every single day, police officers face quickly escalating situations where suspects refuse to comply with orders. In this case, despite being ordered to take his hands out of his pockets, Jamar Clark refused to do so. These officers did not have the opportunity to negotiate or tactically withdraw, which is the same conclusion the county attorney issued.” She made no effort to explain what they needed to negotiate, or why they might withdraw, from a man who posed no threat. The community is asked to accept that Jamar Clark was justifiably killed because his hands stayed in his pockets.

The chief claimed she made the announcement after meeting to discuss the findings with Jamar Clark’s family, but Jamar’s parents had not been contacted. Rather, the late Friday news seemed timed to limit community response.

Rather than waiting around to hear that the MPD had cleared itself of wrongdoing, the community organizing around Jamar Clark’s case is going strong. Just the day before, on Oct.20, the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice (TCC4J) crashed a Hennepin County Bar Association forum on “Race, Policing, and Justice”. Saying forums are not the answer to police murder, activists called for the disbarment of metro area county prosecutors that have failed to hold police accountable for their crimes. The Jamar Clark case is just one example.

“They are accomplices to murder, abusing their offices and serving as the first line of legal defense for killer cops,” said activists who interrupted the forum. They continued, “In every case of police killings of civilians here in Hennepin County, Mike Freeman has been unwilling to carry out the duties of prosecutor, and bring charges against the officers involved in at least 50 cases under his tenure. Rather than ask for independent prosecutors to bring charges, Freeman has used grand juries or taken it upon himself to shield officers from prosecution. Freeman and his counterparts across the metro, like those around the country, give legal cover to an epidemic of racist police crimes. They are killing us!”

Not content to protect the killer cops in Hennepin County, Mike Freeman also involved himself in the handling of the murder of Philando Castile in neighboring Ramsey County. Freeman recommended ‘independent’ attorney Don Lewis to assist Ramsey County Attorney John Choi in that decision, which is still pending. Don Lewis is the same attorney who helped the MPD get off for the assault of Black community activist, Al Flowers, last year. Don Lewis has a resume filled with helping bosses and corporations avoid legal liability for their behavior. TCC4J’s S. Sanchez says, “We have little faith that Don Lewis will make any difference in John Choi’s decision in prosecution of Officer Yanez for the murder of Philando Castile. If John Choi goes against his history of more than 17 failures to prosecute for police crimes, it will fall in line with precedent of only bringing charges against officers that are women and people of color.”

TCC4J is working with others in the Twin Cities to organize an emergency response when Choi announces plans for Philando’s case, beginning with at 6 p.m. rally at JJ Hill Elementary School where he worked.

At the same time, organizing continues around Jamar Clark. James Clark said of his son, “There can never be justice for Jamar, but maybe we can win justice through Jamar.” In that spirit, one year after Jamar’s murder and the mobilizations that demanded justice, TCC4J is organizing a week of actions, to fight for Jamar, and all those lives stolen by police crimes against. Event details are being posted here – http://www.facebook.com/events/1211604272229645/

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark #JusticeForJamar

Falcon Heights, MN – On Sept. 3, as the family was in Saint Louis to lay Philando Castile to rest, community members gathered at the site where Officer Jeronimo Yanez violently ended Castile’s life. More than 50 people marched to the front gates of the State Fair here, to call attention to the police killings that they say target especially, but not solely, Black people and other people of color. For several hours, thousands of fairgoers had to navigate miles of blocked roads, while protesters demanded justice, carrying 14 coffins, distributing informational flyers and chanting about the police murder of Castile and countless others.

Reflecting the epidemic of police killings across the U.S., Minnesota law enforcement officers have killed 238 people since 2000. Not one officer, in the history of the state of Minnesota, has ever been convicted of a work-related homicide.

“That #AintFair,” organizers say. “We want justice for all stolen lives. We want justice for Philando Castile and Jamar Clark, whose names made international news, as well as those who stories were never told. Their lives matter. Their families matter. We will not forget the recent police homicides of Geno Smith, Map Kong, and Jaffort Smith. We continue to demand justice for Marcus Golden and Fong Lee, both unarmed, Guillermo Canas, Philip Quinn, Michael Kirvelay, Terrance Franklin, Quincy Smith as well as other local and out-of-state police homicide victims such as Alton Sterling, Paul Castaway and Oscar Grant, Yes, we will #SayHerName: Korryn Gaines, Aiyana Jones, Sarah Lee Circle Bear, Sandra Bland and Rekia Boyd to name a few. If we didn’t, that would be not be fair.”

The event was organized by the Twin Cities Coalition for Justices 4 Jamar, Justice for Marcus Golden, the Black Coalition and AR-14 for Justice, and more than a dozen other groups endorsed the action.

#FalconHeightsMn #FalconHeightsMN #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark #PhilandoCastile #StateFair #JusticeForMarcusGolden #BlackCoalition #AR14ForJustice

He and Minneapolis FBI director Richard Thornton claimed that hundreds of hours of investigation failed to produce evidence that the killing of the unarmed African American 24-yea- old man was unlawful. This press conference, much like that of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s at the end of March, was dedicated to all the ways a defense attorney could work to exonerate the police who killed Clark 61 seconds after arriving on the scene.

First, they “concluded Clark was not handcuffed when shot.” According to Luger, witness accounts differed on whether Clark was handcuffed in front or behind his back, while police said he was not handcuffed. Investigators then turned to forensic evidence, which he said was “not conclusive.” There was “insufficient DNA for identification” on the handcuffs, and the medical examiner had not found bruising on Clark’s wrists, which “might have corroborated witness accounts.” Luger’s presentation suggests that the police killing of unarmed individuals is legal, so long as there are no handcuffs on.

As an explanation of this, he reported that both officers involved claimed that they “feared for their lives,” and that investigators uncovered no evidence to “disprove these statements.” To bolster this claim, Luger says, “On video, Ringgenberg appears to be struggling to get away from Clark, reaching for his [own] belt.” Referring to the video released by Freeman’s office in March, Luger fails to address that seconds earlier, Ringgenberg had grabbed Clark around the neck from behind and slammed him to the ground, in a take-down maneuver that is not sanctioned by the Minneapolis Police Department.

Finally, despite reports that Jamar Clark’s fingerprints were never found on Ringgenberg’s gun, Luger once again parrots the tired line of Mike Freeman: Clark’s DNA was found on the gun. He acknowledges this is inconclusive, and they cannot determine how his DNA got onto the gun. The video offers evidence of the simplest answer: The gun likely brushed against Clark when he was taken down violently and pinned to the ground, seconds before Ringgenberg told his partner to shoot.

Mayor Betsy Hodges and MPD Chief Janee Harteau both made public statements endorsing the findings. Lieutenant Bob Kroll, president of the police federation, criticized both for supporting the investigations that “victimized” the killer cops. He went further, characterizing Black Lives Matter as a “terrorist organization,” for its part in leading some of the protests demanding justice for Jamar. Kroll is well-known as an open racist with a long record of brutality both on the job and off duty.

Family and community were shaken, but not surprised, by Thursday’s announcement. They are responding with action.

On Friday, June 3, the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar Clark (TCC4J) will hold its 17th consecutive Friday action in the Hennepin County Government Center. Jamar’s father, James Clark and others will speak, continuing to demand Justice for Jamar Clark via prosecution of the Minneapolis Police Department by any means necessary. Clark has described the Justice Department investigation as a “cover-up” that dismisses countless witnesses and video that show Jamar was not resisting police when he was thrown to the ground and then shot in the head. He says Freeman and the FBI should be prosecuted themselves, as accessories-after-the-fact, in the murder of his son.

On Saturday, June 4, TCC4J will stand with Justice4MarcusGolden at “Blue Lies Matter: Marcus Golden's 26th B-Day Solidarity Rally.” The rally will celebrate the life of Marcus Golden, who was killed by Saint Paul police in January 2015. When lives are stolen by police violence, the victims are framed as responsible for their own deaths, and the killers go free. Organizers say it is time speak truth over the “blue lies.” The action will remember Marcus and Jamar, as well as others killed by area police: Terrance Franklin, Phil Quinn, Fong Lee, Michael Kirvelay, Victor Gaddy, Guillermo Canas, Quincy Smith and Map Kong.

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark #PoliceChiefHarteau #BetsyHodges #BobKroll #TwinCitiesCoalitionForJustice4JamarClark

After Freeman spent some time praising himself for transparency and reviewing legal statutes related to his decision, most of his presentation outlined a one-sided police version. He claimed that Clark was acting aggressively, resisting arrest and trying to take an officer’s gun. According to Freeman, when Ringgenberg felt his utility belt slip, he told his partner that Clark was going for his gun. Ringgenberg repeatedly said, “He has got my gun,” and urged him Schwarze to shoot Clark. Freeman narrated the video clips he showed, but Jamar Clark’s supporters didn’t buy his story.

Pastor Danny Givens, “The video that I watched showed a Jamar Clark that looked concerned about his girlfriend. The video that I watched showed a Jamar Clark that looked tempered. The video that I watched didn’t show a Jamar Clark beating on the door or irate or uncontrollable. The video that I saw didn’t show a Jamar Clark resisting arrest.”

Discounting more than a dozen eyewitnesses who said they saw Clark handcuffed, Freeman’s decision rested entirely on the testimony of police and paramedics. Paramedics who were first on the scene were in their vehicle during the police confrontation with Clark. The others arrived after he was killed. Police say they found handcuffs open, on the grass near Clark’s body, but Ringgenberg and Schwarze claim they never got them on.

Reisha Williams of the NAACP said, “Whether he was handcuffed or not does not give you clearance to kill somebody. He was on the ground, he was already restrained, he had two physical men on top of him. So whether he was handcuffed or not is not the reason why he should have been murdered.”

Freeman also repeated several times that Clark’s last words, as Schwarze held a gun to his mouth, were, “I’m ready to die.” His cousin, Cameron Clark, found this claim unbelievable. “I know he wouldn’t say that, and I know he wouldn’t grab a gun.” He said Jamar had a new job and was turning his life around shortly before he was killed. Giving voice to the determination of many to continue the fight for justice for Jamar Clark, he said, “We’re not running. We can’t have this. We have to get justice.”

Later today, the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar Clark will hold an emergency rally at 5:00 p.m. at James and Plymouth Avenues North, in Minneapolis. A memorial has been maintained there, the place Clark was killed. Organizers will rally with the North Minneapolis community to demand prosecution of the police. Black Lives Matter Minneapolis and the Black Liberation Project also have plans for a “Post Announcement Gathering,” at Elliot Park in downtown Minneapolis.

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #Antiracism #JamarClark #Justice4Jamar

According to several witnesses, Clark was on the ground and restrained when the fatal shot was fired, hitting him in the face. The killing of Clark, a 24-year old African American man, sparked intense protests, including an 18-day occupation outside the Fourth Precinct police station, just two blocks from the site of the shooting. Countless rallies and marches have called for prosecution of the police, and no grand jury.

Just two weeks ago, Freeman caved to some of that pressure, announcing he would not send the case to a grand jury. The grand jury process takes place in secret, and never results in an indictment of police officers. Jamar Clark’s family has called for his killers to be tried in open court, so they and the community can know the truth behind his tragic death.

“We hope Wednesday’s announcement will bring us another win, with charges against Ringgenberg and Schwarze. Even that will only be one more step toward justice for Jamar Clark. We are fighting not only for indictment, but we want to see a prosecution that can take those killer cops off the streets and put them behind bars. No matter what Freeman announces this week, we’ll keep hitting the streets until we see justice,” said Jess Sundin of Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

On the day of Freeman’s announcement, the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar Clark will hold an emergency rally at 5:00 p.m. at James and Plymouth Avenues North, in Minneapolis. A memorial has been maintained there, the place Clark was killed. Organizers will rally with the North Minneapolis community to demand prosecution of the police. Black Lives Matter Minneapolis and the Black Liberation Project also have plans that day for a post-announcement gathering at Elliot Park in downtown Minneapolis.

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #HennepinCountyAttorneyMichaelFreeman #JamarClark #Justice4Jamar

Minneapolis, MN – About 300 people rallied in front of the Hennepin County government building, March 26, demanding that County Attorney Mike Freeman bring charges against the Minneapolis police officers who murdered Jamar Clark. Clark was killed by officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze on Nov. 15, 2015.

County Attorney Freeman has said that a decision on prosecuting the cops will be made by the end of the month.

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #Minnesota #Antiracism #JamarClark

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.

On Thursday, March 24, Chief Harteau released a video statement and held a press conference in which she insinuated the potential for a violent community response to Mike Freeman's pending charging decision. At a joint press conference, Minneapolis NAACP, Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar, Black Lives Matter Minneapolis, and Black Clergy United for Change challenged Harteau’s remarks and urged the community to come together and come out for a rally on Saturday, March 26 at 12:00 noon at the Hennepin County Government Center.

“Many in our community find Chief Harteau's recent statements to be offensive, insensitive and divisive. Beyond that, her comments deflect from the underlying causes of outrage and frustration in the Black community – sustained levels of violence being inflicted by the Minneapolis Police Department upon people of color,” said Nekima Levy-Pounds, president of the Minneapolis NAACP.

“We reject the implication by Chief Harteau that our community is violent. The community's character is not in question, but rather the Minneapolis police, who have consistently violated the rights of the citizenry,” said Mel Reeves, an organizer with the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar.

Speakers urged the media and the community to stay focused on the question of justice for Jamar Clark.

“Our community has waited with bated breath to see the officers who killed Jamar Clark be held accountable under the law. We have been patient and allowed the process to take its course. Now, we are demanding that Mike Freeman uphold the law in a fair, transparent and equitable way,” said Pastor Danny Givens, of Black Clergy United for Change.

The Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar is organizing Saturday’s rally, and expects a massive outpouring of support. Speaking for the Coalition, Jodie Carroll said, “Change will only come when our community stands united and demands justice for those who experience police abuse. We call on the Twin Cities community to reject the not-so-subtle suggestion that a decision to not grant justice in the case of Jamar Clark has already been made.”

Carroll concluded by urging folks to come out for Saturday’s rally “… to make it clear to those in power that we demand prosecution of Minneapolis police officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwartze for the shooting death of unarmed Jamar Clark. We will not rest until we get justice.”

#MinneapolisMN #PoliceBrutality #JamarClark #Justice4Jamar #PoliceChiefHarteau