North Minneapolis residents feel familiar pain

There was pain, but little surprise.

For many north Minneapolis residents, the decision not to charge the police officers involved in Jamar Clark's death brought up emotions they've felt many times before.

Before and after Clark's death on Nov. 15, they've seen similar scenarios play out across the nation. So they knew they had to push forward after the decision and hope that such a death will not happen again.

Nikki McComb, 44, and her friend Shannon Jones, 40, who were grabbing a bite to eat Friday at Avenue Eatery on W. Broadway, said they'd expected that outcome from Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman.

"Freeman came to a stage with the stage set," McComb said. "I don't think a minute passed before we all knew."

State Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, who represents north Minneapolis, issued a statement saying he was saddened by the decision.

"However confusing or disappointing the decision may be, I have to admit I'm not surprised," he wrote. "I'm not surprised at all, and that makes me sad. And to be completely honest with you, a lot of things make me sad right now."

On March 16, Freeman buoyed activists when he announced that a grand jury would not be used to investigate the actions of officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze. Because grand juries traditionally have been shrouded in secrecy, those who had demanded more accountability and transparency were pleased.

But they soon were disappointed when Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau issued a public warning about protests ahead of Freeman's decision. They felt Harteau had painted all protesters as destructive and violent.

At his Wednesday news conference, Freeman released evidence that he said proved the officers had feared for their lives. He said the evidence proved that Clark had not been handcuffed and that the 24-year-old had grabbed for Ringgenberg's gun after the officer tackled him.

Freeman's presentation of the evidence, including video footage from the scene, left many in the community with more questions than answers.

"I'm not surprised," Jones said. "I'm disappointed. The footage did not correlate with what he said. The way his narrative was, I would have thought to have seen someone agitated and shouting."

Hassan Copeland, Clark's 18-year-old cousin, said no one should be surprised about Freeman's decision.

"They shouldn't have expected anything different, because it's not like this is the first time," he said.

Protests in Minneapolis on the night of Freeman's decision carried anger, but almost no one expressed shock. Community leaders spoke out about what they believe needs to be done next. In contrast, back in November, protesters demonstrated outside the Fourth Precinct headquarters for 18 days.

Brian Herron Jr., the owner of Fame Hair Studio, said Friday that he's proud of how the community peacefully came together over the past few days.

"We realized healing and consoling at that time were what we needed," he said.

For Jaamel Montgomery, 42, the addition of more black police officers in north Minneapolis would make it easier to move forward. "The police should reflect the community," he said.

North Minneapolis resident Aaron Curry, 36, said the entire justice system needs reform, because it is not working for black Americans.

"We are the targets in America," he said, adding that he doesn't think young black men have a chance when interacting with police.

At Herron's barbershop on Lowry Avenue N., Mario Williams, 28, watched as Herron cut his 6-year-old son's hair.

Williams said he already worries about how his son will fare with the police when he is older.

"All I can do is keep him close to me," he said.

Beatrice Dupuy • 952-746-3281