They chanted “16 shots!” Some who claim they saw the shooting say Clark was handcuffed, which police dispute.
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Last week, Minneapolis Urban League President Steve Belton said the vigil should end to “restore order” to the community, which he said has endured open gunfire, traffic and service interruptions, smoke from the protesters’ fires and hours of helicopter noise.
A police union representative has said Clark grabbed one officer’s gun, although the weapon remained in its holster. Protesters have demanded that video be released, but authorities have said doing so at this time would taint the investigation. “Too many have already died”. But protesters succeeded in blocking main entrances on both sides of the street for more than three blocks. Police said the men knew each other. But some, like Vivian Smarr of Spokane, took the interruption in stride – and even welcomed it.
“The storefronts that were blocked by the demonstrators certainly had an impact on some of the businesses”, he said. Liberation was up close to this action and recorded footage of Seattle police fighting activists for the door only to randomly nab a protester to arrest him inside.
Macy’s security tried to block the protest, but were getting pushed over, according to reporter Alex Rozier.
“Recently, because of what happened to Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, and what happened in Ferguson, there has been a large movement that has begun”, said Ashley Harrington, an organizer with the movement.
Chicago officer Van Dyke is being held without bond.
“Jamar, your life did and does have objective”, he said to a standing ovation.
Police say they made four arrests and one officer suffered a dislocated shoulder when the crowd interfered with an arrest at the Pacific Place shopping area.
Marchers said they demonstrated to bring attention to what they say is excessive use of force by police officers that have killed blacks in officer- involved shootings.
Tree viewing shoppers would voice their disdain at the protesters and the Black Lives Matter protesters would chant black lives matters over black Friday. In a creative approach, protesters released “Black Lives Matter” helium balloons as the tree was lit up.
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Video from KGW-TV showed dozens of protesters chanting near an ice-skating rink at the Lloyd Center mall on Friday afternoon. Liberation News was on the scene from the beginning of the protest which started at 1 PM with protesters gathering in Westlake Park, near several malls and department stores, with banners and signs featuring the names of Black people murdered by police.
