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.
Minneapolis, MN – More than four months after Minneapolis police shot Jamar Clark, the county prosecutor is expected to announce on Wednesday, March 30 whether he will prosecute the Minneapolis police officers that shot and killed him. However Freeman decides to handle the case, the community plans to respond with protests calling not only for indictment, but prosecution of officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze to the full extent of the law.
Houston, TX – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) are organizing events in solidarity with Rasmea Odeh this week at University of Houston. Rasmea Odeh is a 68-year-old Palestinian American woman, tortured and imprisoned by the Israeli military occupation in 1969. For the past 20 years, she lived in Chicago, serving the Arab American and American Muslim community. She is beloved by many and won multiple awards for her work with women and children. The U.S. government is targeting Odeh for political reasons. She is being charged with minor immigration paper work offences, but the trumped-up case involves the judge and prosecutor talking on and on about terrorism.
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.
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.
Minneapolis, MN – Organizers the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar will hold several local actions to win justice prosecution of the police who killed Jamar Clark in November, and they are asking supporters from across the country to lend their voices in the effort, with a national call-in day set for Thursday, March 24.
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.
Minneapolis, MN – Community members are turning up the heat here as prosecutor Mike Freeman drags his feet, insisting he will throw the police killing of Jamar Clark to a grand jury. Last week, March 8, members of Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar Clark brought the issue to the open forum section of the county commissioners meeting. Several spoke up to demand no grand jury.
Family of Edwin Rodriguez demands D.A. prosecute ELA sheriffs deputies for killing son
Los Angeles, CA – The family of Edwin Rodriguez and their attorneys held a press conference March 8 at the historic La Placita on Olvera Street, the heart of the original Mexican/Native settlement. The family is demanding the release of the names of deputies who beat and killed Edwin Rodriguez on Feb. 14, and that D.A. Jackie Lacey prosecute them for murder.
Charlotte, NC – On March 4, 30 activists from across Charlotte united to march against the ongoing abuse of power and racist violence employed by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) and various police departments across the state.
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.
Salt Lake City, UT – 1000 people rallied and marched Feb 29, demanding justice for Abdullahi Omar Mohamed, who was shot and severely injured the night of Feb. 27, near the homeless shelter. Abdi Mohamed, a 17-year-old Black youth, engaged in a confrontation with a much older white man. Mohamed had an aluminum broom stick when the police arrived. They demanded he drop the broomstick and before he had a chance to comply they shot him multiple times. This sparked a rebellion among the homeless who clashed with police, resulting in 100 officers, many in riot gear, clearing the street.
Jacksonville, FL – More than 30 protesters marched on W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors, Inc., Feb. 28, for its financial support of State Attorney Angela Corey. The mid-morning protest drew supporters from across Jacksonville and around the state who oppose Corey and her racist attacks on African-Americans.
Los Angeles, CA – Several hundred marched through the streets of East Los Angles, Feb. 29, carrying the body of Edwin Rodríguez, who was severely beaten and shot by the LA sheriffs. The family and community demanded justice for Rodriguez, prosecution of sheriffs who murdered him and an end to police killings. They chanted, “The sheriffs are assassins.”
Salt Lake City, UT – Over 20 people gathered at a rally, Feb. 27, organized by Utah Against Police Brutality to demand a community controlled police review board.
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.
Chicago, IL – This morning, Feb. 25, a ruling from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals represents a partial victory in the case of Rasmea Odeh, the legendary Palestinian American icon who was convicted of a politically motivated immigration charge in 2014, and sentenced to 18 months in prison and deportation last year.
Minneapolis, MN – Around 200 people rallied and marched in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood against Islamopobia, Feb. 20. The protest was organized by a new coalition of some two dozen state organizations calling themselves Minnesotans Against Islamophobia.
