Continuous Occupation At 4th Precinct Could End This Week
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Continuous protests at the Minneapolis Police Department's 4th precinct could end this week. Black Lives Matter Minneapolis says many of their demands have been met, and it's time to re-evaluate their strategy.
It has been nine days since Jamar Clark was shot and killed by police in north Minneapolis.
The police union says Clark had grabbed for another officer's gun, but witnesses say Clark was handcuffed. Ever since then, protesters have camped outside the 4th precinct. At times there has been damage to police property, and officers responding with chemical irritant and arrests.
Now, Black Lives Matter Minneapolis is now considering its next step. The group met with Gov. Mark Dayton over the weekend and had hoped he would call on law enforcement to release video from Clark's shooting. That didn't happen, but he listened to some demands from the group.
GALLERY: Protests At 4th Precinct [Day 4, Day 5]
There was a community meeting on Sunday following the summit with Dayton. WCCO was not invited, but Black Lives Matter Minneapolis said discussions focused on the next course of action, if protestors should stay at the precinct or find different ways to create the changes they want to see.
They say getting the names of the officers involved in the shooting and an independent investigation by the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division are two big wins for the group, but they still want authorities to release video in the case.
The group will continue its push for a timeline to get the video in Clark's case released.
Leaders tell us they plan to occupy the 4th precinct at least through Tuesday. They have a march planned the same day and clothing drive scheduled for Wednesday. They won't say anything about future plans.
Attorneys with the U.S. Justice Department arrived in the Twin Cities on Sunday and will be here for a few days for meetings related to the investigation.
Over the weekend, Dayton encouraged them to meet with Clark's family and Black Lives Matter Minneapolis, but group leaders say they have yet to meet with them.
The funeral for Clark is scheduled for Wednesday at noon at Shiloh Temple in North Minneapolis.
