Media Contact–
Email address: nekimalevyarmstrong@gmail.com
Phone: 612-598-0559
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2022
COALITION OF BLACK WOMEN AND MOTHERS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE KILLING OF AMIR LOCKE.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Please be advised that on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Minneapolis City Hall at 1:00pm, a coalition of Black women and mothers will demand swift action on the part of Mayor Jacob Frey in holding Minneapolis police officers accountable for the senseless murder of Amir Locke.
“The brutal and unnecessary police killing of 22-year-old Amir Locke is every Black mother’s worst nightmare. Our sons are not safe when Minneapolis Police officers have the power to be judge, jury, and executioner. Minneapolis police showed zero regard for the value of Amir’s life when they chose to gun him down within two seconds of waking him up on the morning of February 2nd after entering the residence on a no-knock warrant. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Titilayo Bediako, Founder of We Win Institute.
Residents of Minneapolis are demanding comprehensive answers on how and why this happened, given that the city recently updated its no-knock warrant policy in 2020.
“The officers who are responsible for the murder of Amir Locke must be held accountable. At a minimum, Mark Hanneman should be swiftly fired and prosecuted for what he did. The other officers involved should be disciplined, at a minimum. And Interim Chief Amelia Huffman must go. Huffman has worked to coverup the murder of Amir Locke and has failed to provide clear, transparent answers to basic questions in this case, such as why Amir was labeled as a suspect when he wasn’t,” says Nekima Levy Armstrong, civil rights attorney, and founder of the Racial Justice Network.
As concerned women and mothers, we are demanding that Jacob Frey take the necessary steps to swiftly fire Hanneman and Huffman for the senseless killing of a young Black man and the attempted coverup that has ensued. Over the short and long term, we demand an overhaul of the Minneapolis Police Department, its policies and its culture.
The Racial Justice Network (RJN) is a multi-racial, grassroots organization, committed to fighting for racial justice and building bridges across racial, social, and economic lines. racialjusticenetwork.com
Recent Press Releases
Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman were wrong in deciding not to bring charges against Minneapolis police officer Mark Hanneman in the killing of Amir Locke
April 6, 2022
The circumstances that led to the killing of Amir Locke on February 2 should never have existed. The Attorney General and Hennepin County Attorney acknowledged this fact. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey…
Guilty verdicts against former officers Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane send a strong message for Police Accountability, yet additional work is still needed
February 25, 2022
These verdicts are a result of the multi-year long persistence of Black leaders and allies in our community who continue to demand justice.
MPD Kills Young Black Man; RJN Demands Murder Charges
February 4, 2022
Approximately thirty six hours after shooting and killing Amir Locke, a Black 22-year-old young man, Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) released body-worn camera footage depicting the moments…
Racial Justice Network Demands Justice for Amir Locke
February 2, 2022
In the early morning of February 2, 2022, members of the Minneapolis SWAT team shot and killed Amir Locke, a Black man, after busting into the apartment where he was sleeping.
Community is holding 2 events for Jessica Marshik missing since Dec 14
January 5, 2022
Community to host candlelight vigil and canvassing event to find Jessica Marshik, missing since December 14th, 2021.
Demanding Statewide Ban on High-Speed Chases by Law Enforcement Following Deaths of Multiple Teens in Recent Months
December 11, 2021
Multiple young lives have been unnecessarily taken this year due to high-speed police pursuits, which also threaten the safety of innocent bystanders in our community.
Calling for the Resignation of Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson
December 10, 2021
It is hypocritical for Hutchinson to have the power to incarcerate others, when he has violated the law and put himself and others in unnecessary danger.
Local Civil Rights Group Demands Accountability from U.S. Bank for racial discrimination against Black customer
December 9, 2021
Accountability needed from U.S. Bank for racial discrimination against a Black customer & complete 5 steps towards justice.