Minneapolis – Hundreds of people gathered on Wednesday night at the Hennepin County Government Center after a prosecutor declined to charge two police officers in the death of 24-year-old Jamar Clark.
Clark, a 24-year-old black man, was shot in the head during the scuffle with the two white Minneapolis police officers, Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, on November 15. Clark, who had allegedly attacked his girlfriend, interfered with paramedics attempting to transport her to the hospital. The two officer were called to the side and confronted Clark who refused officers’ demands to remove his hands from his pockets.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman decided that Officer Mark Ringgenberg and Officer Dustin Schwarze would not face criminal charges as the investigators concluded the officers had acted in self-defense. Freeman said Schwarze shot Clark after Ringgenberg scuffled with the young man. According to the official’s version, during the struggle, Clark took control of the officer’s gun and Ringgenberg told Schwarze to open fire.
“No justice, no peace! Prosecute the police!”
In reaction to the prosecution, two groups of people peacefully took the streets to protest the decision made by Freeman. One of the groups initially gathered at the side of the shooting and the other one gathered at a park them.
Both group then marched through downtown to the government building where the prosecutor announced that Officer Mark Ringgenberg and Officer Dustin Schwarze would not face criminal charges.
As they marched, protesters carried signs that say “Justice for Jamar” and “Black Lives Matter.”
“It’s about showing that the people aren’t just going to die,” he said. “This isn’t going to be the last fight we’re going to have to fight.” Charles Caine, president and executive director of Brothers Empowered and an activist with Black Lives Matter, said about the protest.
Source: CBS