5 Black Lives Matters protesters were shot Monday night less than a block from the 4th precinct of the Minneapolis Police Department. None of the injuries sustained were life threatening.
Witnesses report that a group of what they say were ‘white supremacists’ showed up and tried to aggravate things at the scene of the protests. They were asked to leave and a group formed to follow them out. Suddenly they turned and opened fire on the group. Witness say there were 3 gunman, one wearing a mask.
Protesters have been peacefully camped out less than a block away from the 4th precinct since the police shooting of unarmed Jamar Clark on November 15. Witnesses to his shooting claim he was in handcuffs when shot in the head by a Minneapolis police officer. Protesters have been demanding all related video footage be released to the public.
The president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP, Nekima Levy-Pounds has said “I am obviously appalled that white supremacists would open fire on non violent peaceful protesters.”
Brother of Jamar Clark, Eddie Sutton, issued a statement from Clark’s family after the shooting.
“Thank you to the community for the incredible support you have shown for our family in this difficult time. We appreciate Black Lives Matter for holding it down and keeping the protests peaceful. But in light of tonight’s shootings, the family feels out of imminent concern for the safety of the occupiers, we must get the occupation of the 4th precinct ended and onto the next step.”
The shooting will not deter the #BlackLivesMatters protesters who took to their facebook page Tuesday morning to share news of the shooting and invite people to join them for a march at 2 p.m. today.
Keep up with their movement at https://www.facebook.com/BlackLivesMatterMinneapolis
