Black Lives Matter protests mark end of 2015

Students in the St. Paul Academy and Summit School Community look to support each other in light of the news. “People are so quick to show support about something that is so far away that they cannot do anything about, but especially when it is literally in your own backyard, then you cannot do anything about it,” sophomore Amina Smaller said.

Photo Illustration: Iya Abdulkarim

Students in the St. Paul Academy and Summit School Community look to support each other in light of the news. “People are so quick to show support about something that is so far away that they cannot do anything about, but especially when it is literally in your own backyard, then you cannot do anything about it,” sophomore Amina Smaller said.

Iya Abdulkarim, Feature Editor
December 28, 2015

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The only thing you can do is show your support because at times like this, no one wants to get into a debate about racism

— Sophomore Amina Smaller

Following the death of unarmed 24 year-old African-American man Jamar Clark by gunshot to the head by Minneapolis Police On Nov 15, a total of fifty Black Lives Matter demonstrators have been arrested, and five were shot shot at peaceful protests. Protesters gathered at the Fourth Police Precinct in Minneapolis the day of Clark’s death until Dec. 3, when police cleared the area. Since then, demonstrators have shifted their presence to the City Hall.

After interfering with Emergency Medical Technicians trying to care for his girlfriend, Clark was shot in the head by police. According to the Minneapolis chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), he was handcuffed and shoved to the ground before being shot in the head “execution style,” around 1:00 a.m.

Clark was kept on life support in the ICU at Hennepin County Medical Center for a day. He was declared brain dead and removed from life support on Nov. 16. After an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the case will be presented to a grand jury, who will determine whether or not the policeman involved in the shooting will be indicted.

“There has been a lot of stuff about it [Jamar Clark’s death] in my community because I live in North Minneapolis,” sophomore Amina Smaller said, “In all the community newspapers, community news stations, it has all been brought up—but there hasn’t been as much media coverage as I wished.”

Smaller also said that the topic was only mentioned to her twice prior to “the reflection that we had about all the things that were going on [during X-Period on Nov. 24],” she said, “but I still felt that it wasn’t enough because I think each thing that happened should have its own situation of talking about it.”

Freshman Charlie Gannon said that “It is good to have awareness of these kind of events and to speak your mind about it, but not in the way that some people are because there has been some violence in the protests, so I think it would be a good idea to spread the knowledge of this but only in a peaceful matter.”

In a segment on Kare 11 News, Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney Eric Nelson said that “The government may not try as hard to get an indictment as they would against someone who is not a police officer.”

This is why many protesters stand against the decision to bring the case to a grand jury.

Fourty-two demonstrators who caused westbound I-94 to close the day of Clark’s death were arrested for being pedestrians on a freeway as well as unlawful assembly according to Kare 11 News. Black Lives Matter demonstrators occupied the Fourth Police Precinct of Minneapolis until Dec. 3 when the area in front of the station was cleared by police; the protesters moved to City Hall.

Demonstrators started hashtags to raise awareness about the shooting including #Justice4Jamar and #4thPrecinctShutDown. The hashtags have gained popularity on twitter, and one was used by 2016 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Congressman Keith Ellison posted a statement regarding Clark’s death on Facebook, encouraging protesters to remain peaceful and the police to “exercise restraint.”

According the NAACP, protesters agreed not to go into the station, but to remain outdoors.


On Nov. 23, as the rallies continued, at least two of four white supremacists who were present in the crowd opened fire. Five protesters were shot, and luckily none of the injuries were life-threatening. Minnesota Public Radio reported that the four men were brought to court on Dec. 1, and Black Lives Matter protesters led a rally at the Minneapolis City Hall.

Clark’s funeral took place on Nov. 25, with hundreds of attendees.On Thanksgiving, the day after his funeral, protesters gathered at the encampment with tents, fires and food aplenty. The people celebrated as a community.

“People are obviously here to learn and get the best education possible, but part of that education is being involved in the community, and being aware of what is going on in the community

“The only thing you can do is show your support because at times like this, no one wants to get into a debate about racism,” Smaller said.

On Dec. 3, the Minneapolis Police asked protesters to clear the perimeter as reported by StarTribune. Eight protesters who refused to leave were arrested. Demonstrators have adjusted and focused on the Minneapolis City hall, leading rallies and day long protests, and joined by clergy members.

“People are so quick to show support about something that is so far away that they cannot do anything about, but especially when it is literally in your own backyard, then you [should]do anything about it,” Smaller added.
St. Paul Academy and Summit School’s Diversity Dean Karen Dye believes that Clark’s shooting, among other events, should be brought up in structured discussions. “People are obviously here to learn and get the best education possible, but part of that education is being involved in the community, and being aware of what is going on in the community,” Dye said.