Maret Banks offers copal incense to protesters from a shell and instructs them to waft it over their heads. “It cleanses the soul,” she said of the native tradition. (Simeon Lancaster/TommieMedia).
A crowd of more than 100 protesters gathers in Elliot Park in Minneapolis on Wednesday evening as part of a coordinated protest across the city in response to the Jamar Clark case. Protest organizers began mobilizing the crowd with chants such as “No justice, no peace!” and “Whose streets? Our streets!” (Simeon Lancaster/TommieMedia).
Three organizers hold hands to barricade a street so the crowd can pass safely. Police on bicycles also blocked streets but remained at least a block away throughout nearly the entire march. (Simeon Lancaster/TommieMedia).
A crowd of more than 500 people marches toward downtown Minneapolis. Protesters of all ages marched from Elliot Park to the Hennepin County Government Center to meet up with another march that started earlier in the day. (Simeon Lancaster/TommieMedia).
Throngs of protesters cluster on the stairs of the Hennepin County Government Center and raise their fists in solidarity with similar movements across the country. The protesters held a moment of silence for Jamar Clark, listened to poetry, sang songs and even heard from Clark’s nephew, Michael Burns. (Simeon Lancaster/TommieMedia).
Close to 1,000 people swarm the plaza in front of the Hennepin County Government Center. Police presence was minimal on the plaza and throughout the march. (Simeon Lancaster/TommieMedia).
Protesters march into the night and across the 7th Street Bridge toward the intersection of James and Plymouth avenues where Jamar Clark was shot. Those who started at Elliot Park walked approximately three miles. (Simeon Lancaster/TommieMedia).
Police block cars from entering the 7th Street Bridge while protesters move across it. The police presence was minimal, and the protest organizers worked to keep their march peaceful. (Simeon Lancaster/TommieMedia).
A tree adorned with balloons, notes, flowers and candles serves as a memorial near the spot where Jamar Clark, 24, was shot by police on November 15, 2015. Around 100 protesters gathered here past 10 p.m. (Simeon Lancaster/TommieMedia).
MINNEAPOLIS — Hundreds of demonstrators marched in force through the streets of Minneapolis Thursday night after Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced his decision not to charge two police officers involved in the fatal November shooting of Jamar Clark.
Several groups of protesters assembled throughout the day before converging at the Hennepin County Government Center, the Minneapolis Police Fourth Precinct and Plymouth Avenue where Clark was shot. People of all ages and backgrounds marched with one group, starting at Elliot Park and walking to the Hennepin County Government Center and finally Plymouth Avenue. The police kept their distance and blocked streets a block away to allow the protesters safe passage.
The protest organizers worked to keep the crowd motivated with chants and speeches and stressed that they were to remain non-violent. After gathering on Plymouth Avenue and blocking the street, an announcement was made for all protesters to remove any masks or bandanas covering their faces to make everybody feel comfortable. Most mask-wearers complied after several confrontations.
Members of Clark’s family were present at the protest and joined the crowd in memorializing the spot Clark fell with balloons, flowers, notes and candles.
Simeon Lancaster can be reached at lanc4637@stthomas.edu.