MINNEAPOLIS — A steady stream of mourners entered a north Minneapolis church Wednesday to pay their respects to a man whose death in a confrontation with police sparked more than a week of protests. Meanwhile, charges were pending against three men suspected in a melee that left five protesters with gunshot wounds.
A picture of a smiling Jamar Clark, 24, adorned the program for his funeral at Shiloh Temple International Ministries.
Clark, who was black, died Nov. 15 in what police say was a scuffle with officers responding to an assault of a woman in which he was a suspect. Some community members who say they saw the incident allege Clark was handcuffed when he was shot, which police have disputed. A state criminal investigation and a federal civil rights probe are underway.
Several hundred people filled the cavernous Shiloh Temple, with impassioned speeches from family members and pastors occasionally interrupted by shouts and applause, and a slide show of pictures of Clark as he grew up. Several members of Clark’s family wore white T-shirts that read, “I matter,” on the front with Clark’s picture on the back.
Bishop Richard Howell praised protesters for pressure that he said helped get a federal civil rights investigation and the names of the officers involved. Howell said what’s needed now is a special state legislative session to address the needs of Minnesota’s minority community.
“Jamar, your life did and does have purpose,” Howell said to a standing ovation. “Your death is not in vain.”
Protesters have rallied nightly outside the 4th Precinct police station near the scene of his death.
Police have arrested four men — ages 27, 26, 23 and 21 — on suspicion of shooting five protesters after some protesters told the men to leave the site Monday night. Police said three of the men are white; the fourth man is Asian.
Clark’s family has asked for protesters to end the 4th Precinct encampment, out of concern for their safety, and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison said it would be wise to “start thinking about an exit strategy” and what to do next.
