Quotes from key figures on the Jamar Clark shooting and Black Lives Matter protests

November 25, 2015 at 6:23AM

Here is a snapshot of some quotes locally and nationally related to the Jamar Clark shooting and ongoing protests.
"Thank you to the community for the incredible support you have shown for our family in this difficult time. We appreciate Black Lives Matter for holding it down and keeping the protests peaceful. But in light of tonight's shootings, the family feels out of imminent concern for the safety of the occupiers, we must get the occupation of the Fourth Precinct ended and onto the next step."
– Eddie Sutton, brother of Jamar Clark

"We are sparing no efforts to bring any and all those responsible to justice."
– Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges
"MPD worked nonstop through the night to bring justice in last night's shooting."
– Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau

"As a City Council, we come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range of perspectives to our work which reflects the various views of the communities we each represent. We are united in addressing the racial inequities that hold back our city. … We are committed to making Minneapolis a city that is strong, safe, and prosperous for all residents.
– Minneapolis City Council

"[Monday's shooting was a] continuation of a stressful time for the neighbors that live in the area surrounding the Fourth Precinct. … They deserve some peace and some rest."
– Minneapolis City Council President Barb Johnson

"We all were terrorized last night. … I've never seen racism like that."
– Carrie Brown, who lives down the street from the Fourth Precinct station
"Like all Minnesotans, I was horrified to learn about the shooting of five people outside the Fourth Precinct last night. … I join residents of the North Side in demanding that they be brought to justice. In the meantime, my thoughts are with Jamar Clark's family and the injured."
– U.S. Sen. Al Franken

"I am obviously appalled that white supremacists would open fire on nonviolent, peaceful protesters."
– Nekima Levy-Pounds, president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP
"From the labor movement, to the women's movement, and the civil rights movement, peaceful demonstrations have always driven change in this country. The women and men behind Black Lives Matter are part of this proud tradition. That tradition was attacked Monday. … To those who use violence to change minds, the history teachers among us remind you of one thing: It won't work."
-Education Minnesota President Denise Specht
"The shooting last night of protesters in Minneapolis at an ongoing demonstration for Jamar Clark is both horrific and tragic. … This is another reminder that racism remains ever-present in communities across our country, and that minority communities feel threatened physically and by the structural obstacles that a legacy of slavery and racism have left behind."
– Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic National Committee chair
"[The protester was] so obnoxious and so loud" … "maybe he should have been roughed up."
– GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, on activist who was removed from a Trump rally in Birmingham, Ala.
"[Black Lives Matter activists are] literally suggesting and embracing and celebrating the murder of police officers."
– GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz
"The Black Lives Matter movement, where it's foisting yourself on people – rather than engaging in dialogue – and bullying people … I never liked the idea of bullying on behalf of anybody."
– GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson in Ferguson, Mo.
"It is essential that we all stand up and say loudly and clearly, 'Yes, black lives matter.' "
– Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton
"I don't believe that movement [Black Lives Matter] should be justified when they are calling for the murder of police officers."
– GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie

about the writer

about the writer

More from Local

card image