Protesters rally before anticipated decision in Clark case
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Several hundred protesters rallied and marched in downtown Minneapolis Saturday, temporarily shutting down streets and stopping the light rail.
The rally was organized by groups pushing for the prosecution of two Minneapolis Police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Jamar Clark, 24, last November. Clark was killed on Nov. 15 by Minneapolis Police, after he began interfering with paramedics. Clark was unarmed, but the head of the police union says Clark was trying to take one of the officer's guns.
James Clark, the adopted father of Jamar Clark, told the protesters he wants the officers who shot his son to be prosecuted.
"We are tired of all of this. We want love, respect and peace, because everyone deserves that."
Mel Reeves, one of the organizers of the event, says he's pleased Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman opted to forgo a grand jury and decide himself whether to charge the officers. And Reeves says he expects charges. "We're out here because we want the Minneapolis Police officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze to be charged and prosecuted for the death of Jamar Clark last Nov. 15."
A decision on charges is expected from the Hennepin County Attorney's office by the end of March.
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