Jamar Clark Remembered a Year Later with Balloons & Fireworks
Minneapolis, MN – A large group of community members gathered in North Minneapolis at the site of Jamar Clark’s murder for a candlelight vigil. The vigil lasted two hours and featured speeches, sparklers, fireworks, balloons, and food.
Unicorn Riot was live during the proceedings of the candlelight vigil.
One year ago today, #JamarClark was murdered by @MinneapolisPD – We're #LIVE at a Candlelight Vigil https://t.co/Tv7x5T6aUc pic.twitter.com/DrPyN9oh9v
— UNICORN RIOT (@UR_Ninja) November 15, 2016
Irma, Jamar Clark’s mother, led the gathering in letting off red and black colored balloons into the sky.
Jamar Clark’s step-father, James, spoke during the vigil, saying:
“I want to thank everybody for coming out this evening. It means a lot to his family…You know it doesn’t really seem like it’s been a year. To me, it seems like it was just yesterday…I just hope and pray, you know, that this will change things, far as it’ll make it better, and not just for Black people, but for everyone, regardless of their race or nationality.” – James, Jamar Clark’s step-father
He also went on to express his emotions and hopes:
“It just hurts everyday that I wake up I don’t see him around anymore and I just don’t know. The only thing we can do is to stick together like we’ve been doing and pray.” – James, Jamar Clark’s step-father
Speeches were made by Jamar’s family, including his Mom, step-father, and cousin. Monique, the aunt of another victim of police killing, Marcus Golden, also gave an impassioned speech during the vigil at the site of Jamar’s murder.
As the speeches concluded, sparklers were lit, and a march ensued with a hundred or so folks from the vigil site to the 4th Precinct, which is a few blocks west. As folks neared the precinct, fireworks were shot off in remembrance of Jamar Clark. To watch the fireworks display, see the video below:
When the crowd neared the precinct, the police immediately turned their lights off inside of the building and locked their precinct doors, although nobody from the crowd ventured near the entry way vestibule.
The night ended back at the vigil site after some songs and more speeches.
To watch the vigil in its entirety, see the video below:
A full year has elapsed since the sixty-one second encounter with police officers Dustin Schwarze and Mark Ringennberg that stole Jamar Clark’s life. Massive unrest enveloped the northside of Minneapolis after the murder leading to a historically unprecedented eighteen day occupation of the grounds in front of the Minneapolis Police’s 4th Precinct building.
To watch our livestream coverage of the 18 day occupation of the 4th Precinct, view below:
Seven and a half months ago, the officers who participated murdering Jamar Clark as he was checking on his friend in an ambulance, were officially not charged.
For more of our reports on the protests surrounding the death of Jamar Clark, here are the links:
- Police Precinct Occupied after Jamar Clark is ‘Executed’ while Handcuffed
- #Justice4Jamar Camp Expands; Minneapolis Residents Block I-94; Unicorn Riot Reporter & 40+ Others Arrested
- Minneapolis Police Try to Crush #Justice4Jamar Camp; Community Resists
- White Supremacists Shoot Five Protesters and MPD Attacks #Justice4Jamar Crowd
- “Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes”: White Supremacists Arrested for Shootings
- #Justice4Jamar Assailants Net Minor Charges; Camp Braces for Police Action
- 8 Arrests Made as #4thPrecinctShutDown Eradicated in Early Morning Raid
- #BlongNBetsysFortress: Minneapolis Residents Show Up to Defeat $605K Payday for 4th Pct
- Hundreds March Miles in Frigid Temp for #Justice4Jamar
- #BlackXMas2 Shuts Down Mall of America, Light Rail & Both MSP Terminals
- Protestors File Lawsuit Against MPD for Excessive Force
- Hennepin County Attorney Says Jamar Clark Case Set for Grand Jury
- #FreemanFridays – New Witness Statement Released
- Hiding Hate Crimes: Prosecutor Goes Easy on Attempted Murderers
- #Justice4Jamar: Mpls Community Braces for Worst Case Scenario as Decision Looms
- Community Responds to Jamar Clark Decision
- Charges Dropped Against Unicorn Riot Journalist Weeks Before Trial
- Mayor Betsy Hodges Speech at U of M Campus Disrupted
- Bail Motion Denied for White Supremacist 4th Precinct Shooter
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