N. Minneapolis residents march against gun violence

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - More than 100 people marched down West Broadway in North Minneapolis in a stand against gun violence Saturday.

Minneapolis has seen an uptick in gun violence this year, with North Minneapolis seeing a significant increase in incidents.

On May 26, Birdell Beeks, 59, was in the car with her 16-year-old grand-daughter when she was shot and killed. Police believe she was an innocent victim caught in the crossfire.

On Thursday, a woman was injured after someone shot at a beauty shop near West Broadway and Irving Avenue North.

“This is not okay. We can’t live like this,” said North Minneapolis resident Richard Nunn.

The community group MAD DADS (Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder) organized the rally and march which organizers said was focused on ending gun violence in Minneapolis.

“My husband and I are raising three boys. It’s not lost on me that any of these deaths could have been them,” said Dianne Haulscy, a North Minneapolis resident who joined in the march Saturday.

But some participants said, although a noble cause, the message at events like these doesn’t reach the people that need to hear it.

“The ones that should be here, aren’t here,” said community activist John Martin. “You’re getting the same results over and over again.”

Many northsiders have been vocal on their position that city leaders aren’t doing enough to curb the violence.

“I haven’t seen the police patrol like they should. Especially at night. That’s when it happens. That’s when these things go down,” said Nunn.  “I want to see bike patrol, horse patrol—whatever it takes to let them know we’re going to put up with this.”

In her state of the city address last month, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said the city would be increasing police patrols and focusing on known “hot spots” in North Minneapolis. She also laid out some community engagement and preventative measures that will be put in place.