Harteau: 'We will not tolerate acts of violence' following Clark decision

Updated 10:30 a.m. | Posted 5:52 a.m.

With Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman expected to decide within days whether to charge police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Jamar Clark, Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau issued a stern warning to potential protesters Thursday.

The Minneapolis Police Department "will not tolerate acts of violence against anyone" following a decision in the Clark case, Harteau said.

Activists, however, said they considered Harteau's comments as a threat against them.

On Friday, they demanded the police use restraint on nonviolent protesters whatever happens and they called on Gov. Mark Dayton and other officials to change the culture of policing in Minnesota.

"It is absolutely atrocious to have the chief put terrorism against peaceful protesters," Black Lives Matter Minneapolis organizer Asha Long told reporters. "They want to silence us with fear and terrorism and that's not going to stand ... If we don't hold them accountable, no one else will."

Harteau said the department will respect peaceful protests but will not allow people to occupy city buildings or light fires on the streets.

"As we plan for the county attorney's decision, whatever that might be, I would like members of our community to know public safety is always our No. 1 priority," Harteau said in a video posted to YouTube.

"We will not allow people to jeopardize the safety of others by causing massive disruptions and hindering emergency vehicles from helping those in need," she added.

The Clark shooting in November sparked nearly three weeks of protests — including a freeway blockade, a vigil outside the 4th Precinct police station lasting more than two weeks, and multiple rallies at City Hall.

In a briefing with reporters Thursday evening, Harteau said that officers will deal with protesters on a "case-by-case basis" depending on how people react to the attorney's ruling.

"We are considering a lot of things," she said when asked if she'll order a curfew.

Harteau said she doesn't know what kind of decision Freeman will make about prosecuting the two officers.

Protesters worried Harteau's comments signaled that Freeman has already decided on whether to press charges against the officers.

Minneapolis NAACP President Nekima Levy-Pounds said protesters would rally at noon Saturday at the Hennepin County Government Center.

On Friday, she called on Freeman to "do the right thing and for once prosecute the police."

She also called out Dayton for not doing enough. "We have not seen Gov. Dayton come to the forefront and push for accountability" in changing the police culture in Minnesota, she said.