Hundreds in Minneapolis protest killing of black man throughout police raid

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of downtown Minneapolis on Saturday demanding justice within the deadly police taking pictures of a younger Black man, Amir Locke, throughout a “no-knock” raid on his condominium earlier this week.

The boisterous however peaceable crowd, chanting Locke’s identify and the slogan “no justice, no peace,” rallied at Government Plaza in Minnesota’s largest metropolis three days after Locke, 22, was shot on his sofa by police.The day after the killing, police launched video footage from the raid, which confirmed Locke was holding a gun as he twisted beneath a blanket on his couch after being roused by officers moments earlier than he was slain.Police have stated the officers had been exercising a “no-knock” search warrant, which authorizes police to enter personal property with out first alerting occupants or asserting their presence.The warrant was issued in relation to a murder probe led by detectives from the neighboring Saint Paul Police Department. Locke was not named within the warrant, and Minneapolis police have acknowledged it was unclear how or whether or not he was related to that investigation.On Thursday, interim Minneapolis Police Chief Amelia Huffman advised a information convention the county legal professional’s workplace was reviewing the taking pictures, and that video from the incident appeared to indicate Locke’s gun pointed towards officers once they opened hearth.Activists on the protest stated Locke had a proper to own a weapon in his own residence and was by no means given the possibility to disarm himself within the chaotic moments as police stormed into his condominium with out warning.At least 500 demonstrators assembled in below-freezing temperatures on Saturday, demanding an unconditional ban on no-knock warrants, the dismissal and arrest of officers concerned within the taking pictures, and the resignation of the mayor and police chief.A collection of audio system led the gang by way of chants demanding racial justice and denouncing police violence in opposition to Black individuals, who organizers stated have been disproportionately focused by heavy-handed, and discriminatory legislation enforcement ways.Live video footage of the protest from Reuters confirmed the gang remained orderly, whereas police stored a low profile presence on the fringes of the rally.On Friday, Mayor Jacob Frey responded to the Locke taking pictures, ordering a moratorium on “no-knock” search warrants, saying he was performing to “ensure safety of both the public and officers until a new policy is crafted.”The Locke taking pictures was the newest of a string of incidents to place Minneapolis-area police division below scrutiny.Almost two years in the past, George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, was killed by a white officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck for over 9 minutes throughout an arrest on suspicion of attempting to cross a counterfeit $20 invoice. Outrage over Floyd’s dying sparked a nationwide motion difficult police brutality and bias within the U.S. prison justice system.The video of Locke’s arrest confirmed police unlocking his condominium with a key and officers shouting, “Police, search warrant, get on the ground,” as they entered.An officer then kicks on the sofa the place Locke was mendacity and as Locke turns, his arm emerges from below the blanket with a gun seen in his hand. Almost instantly, police fired not less than three pictures.Lawyers for Locke’s household stated he had no prison historical past and legally possessed a firearm on the time of his dying.