Despite cold weather, protesters remain outside the police Fourth Precinct office.
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One speaker, Alanna Galloway of the Communication Workers of America, says civil rights are workers’ rights.
The governor of Minnesota has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether any police actions in Minneapolis during protests over the death of an unarmed black man violated anyone’s civil rights.
Authorities have said the footage – from an ambulance, mobile police camera, public housing cameras and people’s cellphones – doesn’t show the full incident and that releasing the recordings would also taint a review by the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Kyle Edwards of AFSCME Local 3800, representing University of Minnesota clerical workers, told the crowd that working class people are becoming aware that “we’re all in this together”.
Protesters have made their demands clear, they want police video and investigators are making their intentions known, they also want justice and for now that means no video will be released.
An overnight standoff at the fourth precinct police department in North Minneapolis between police and Black Lives Matters protesters became increasingly hostile throughout the evening as police sprayed mace and fired rubber rounds into the crowds.
The U.S. Attorney and the FBI have released a joint statement saying the “release of any evidence, including any video, during an ongoing investigation would be extremely detrimental to the investigation”.
Clark’s relatives have said that despite several convictions for robbery and domestic assault, he had gotten his life back on track. According to Pioneer Press, authorities say there were handcuffs at the scene of the shooting.
“There are a lot of us men doing a whole lot of talking… but the men need to make sure that the talk is put into play”, Michael Wilson, 33, said through a bullhorn, imploring other male protesters to take responsibility for their community and families. Lt. Bob Kroll, the head of the Minneapolis police union, has said that Clark had his hands on an officer’s gun.
“Are we getting so caught up in the window of life that we look at that we cannot see outside of that window?” A few protesters were asked to move their tents while painters worked, but they returned immediately after. Funeral plans have been set for Wednesday at Shiloh Temple worldwide. Earlier this year, he was convicted of a felony count of terroristic threats and sentenced to 15 months in prison, but his sentence was stayed for five years and he was out on probation.
McKnight said any focus on Clark’s background is misplaced.
One neighbour, Nekelia Sharp, said he tried to speak to his partner; that’s when he was handcuffed and shot, she alleged.
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Harteau said after the meeting that “misinformation” is being spread about the case, but she would not elaborate.
