FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2022

Racial Justice Network Demands Justice for Amir Locke 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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. We extend our deepest condolences to Amir’s family, along with the Minneapolis community as we mourn yet another senseless death of a community member at the hands of the Minneapolis police.

Officers were allegedly seeking three suspects in a homicide case and attempting to execute a search warrant, and according to Amir Locke’s family, he was not one of those suspects. He was sleeping at a family member’s apartment, and his family believes he was startled when the police busted in. He did not live at the apartment where the raid took place. His family also shared that Amir Locke had a conceal and carry permit.

“When I heard that Amir allegedly was armed, my first question was does that automatically justify the use of deadly force? I, too, am a licensed gun owner and if someone showed up at my house at 6:00 in the morning and I didn’t expect them, I couldn’t guarantee that my hand would not be on my gun. But does that mean that I am a threat? No, it doesn’t.” said Nekima Levy Armstrong, civil rights attorney and founder of the Racial Justice Network.

“The Minneapolis SWAT team has a history of violent behavior. I am heartbroken, yet not surprised, to learn that they have shot and killed one of our community members. This situation is reminiscent of officers patrolling the streets in unmarked vans, shooting projectiles at citizens after George Floyd was murdered”, said Sonja Western, Racial Justice Network member.

The Racial Justice Network is demanding swift justice for Amir Locke and full transparency and accountability from the Minneapolis Police Department and the St. Paul Police Department. Specifically, we demand that all body worn camera footage be released immediately; as well as an immediate end to high-risk early morning raids in our community.

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