Hundreds of demonstrators marched through downtown Minneapolis on Saturday, seeking justice for Amir Locke, a young Black man who was fatally shot by law enforcement officers during a “no-knock” search on his residence earlier this week.
Three days after Locke, 22, was killed on his sofa by officers, a loud but calm group demonstrated at Government Plaza in Minnesota’s main metropolitan, screaming Locke’s name as well as shouting the slogan “no justice, no peace,” as reported by Reuters.
Police released video footage from the search the day following the shooting, showing Locke carrying a revolver while curled beneath a blanket on his sofa after being woken by cops seconds before he was killed.
The policemen were allegedly carrying out a “no-knock” search warrant, which allows authorities to access residences without prior announcement to the residents or declaring their presence.
The warrant was obtained in connection with a homicide investigation being conducted by investigators from the Saint Paul Police Department. The warrant did not identify Locke, and Minneapolis police said it was questionable how or if he was ever linked to the probe.
At a media briefing on Thursday, acting Minneapolis Police Chief Amelia Huffman said the county attorney’s office was looking into the incident, and footage from the scene allegedly showed that Locke’s pistol was aimed at police when they started shooting.
Locke had a right to be armed in his own house, according to protesters, and was never given the opportunity to disarm himself during the frantic circumstances when police came into his flat without notice.
On Saturday, at least 500 people gathered in sub-zero temperatures to demand an end to no-knock warrants, the dismissal and arrest of cops implicated in the incident, and the mayor’s and police chief’s resignations.
A number of speakers led the group in cries seeking racial justice and condemning police violence against Black people, who, according to organizers, have been unfairly affected by harsh and prejudiced police practices.
Locke had no criminal background, according to his family’s lawyers, and was legally in possession of a pistol at the time of his death.
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