NAACP: Jamar Clark's alleged assault victim had ankle surgery
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Leaders of the national NAACP are joining local protestors in calling for investigators to release videos of the officer-involved shooting of 24-year-old Jamar Clark. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has repeatedly denied these requests, saying they will not release any video footage of the incident until their investigation is complete.
Clark was shot in the head around 12:45 a.m. Sunday morning after allegedly disrupting paramedics' ability to render aid to a female assault victim.
Minneapolis NAACP leaders said the alleged assault victim suffered a hurt ankle and had to undergo surgery.
Speaking outside the Minneapolis Police Department Fourth Precinct on Thursday, NAACP leaders also called for grief counselors in the community to help witnesses of the shooting. They claimed witnesses at the scene were intimidated and treated in dehumanizing ways by Minneapolis police officers.
Following the clash between police officers and demonstrators outside the Fourth Precinct Wednesday night, the NAACP released a statement, asking “the Minneapolis Police Department to exercise maximum restraint in handling and responding to nonviolent peaceful protestors, to refrain from the indiscriminate use of chemical weapons and rubber bullets, and to avoid physical contact with protestors.”
National NAACP leaders are coming to Minneapolis to join the demonstrators, who have been camped outside the Fourth Precinct since Sunday.
“It may be cold, but our hearts are burning for justice. And we will not be silent. We will not be moved. This is not the end," Minneapolis NAACP leader Stephen Green said.
The NAACP is planning to hold a vigil for Clark on Friday outside the Fourth Precinct at 4:30 p.m.