MINNEAPOLIS - City crews are cleaning up and preparing to reopen Plymouth Avenue in north Minneapolis after police evicted activists from the so-called "occupation" of the 4th Precinct early Thursday.
Officers in riot gear arrived shortly before 4 a.m. to break down the encampment where protesters have been demonstrating for nearly two weeks following the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Jamar Clark by Minneapolis Police officers. Police Chief Janee' Harteau says it was not an accident her officers moved in when they did.
"We certainly have been doing extensive monitoring of the protests, looking at time of day, what would be the best time for everyone involved, when we have the best resources, so it was very strategic in how we did it with those things in mind," Harteau shared.
The Chief also says demonstrators were given plenty of warning, and a chance to leave without arrest.
"Officers gave the protesters four dispersal orders. They were also given the order in writing," said Harteau. "The notice was posted near the precinct. We allowed them to leave on their own, to move outside the perimeter, and not everybody left. So we did make 8 arrests in total, 7 for obstructing the legal process and one for trespassing."
Those arrested were transported to the Hennepin County Jail for processing.
City dump trucks carried away tents and supplies from outside the 4th Precinct early Thursday. Demonstrators headed by the local Black Lives Matter group had gathered at the site since Clark was shot in a Nov. 15 confrontation with police. He died the next day. The police union has said Clark was grabbing for an officer's gun during an altercation, while witnesses and activists maintain he was in handcuffs when Clark was shot in the head.
Neighbors upset about noise, vandalism and blocked streets around the precinct voiced their concerns at a City Council safety committee meeting Wednesday. Mayor Betsy Hodges, Police Chief Janee' Harteau and other city leaders called earlier this week for the demonstration to end.
"The past 18 days have certainly been a challenge for many," the Chief reflected. "For residents of the 4th precinct, and officers of the fourth precinct. The situation is complex, and something our city has not seen."
A spokesperson for Black Lives Matter quickly responded to the eviction, calling on all supporters to mass outside City Hall Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. Chief Harteau says police will continue to support the right of citizens to protest and demonstrate, but cautioned that the situation has moved into a new chapter.
"I do want to make notice to future protests … we will continue to support and facilitate your first amendment rights and freedom of speech, but we also support and enforce the ordinances of the city of Minneapolis and the laws of the state of Minnesota," Harteau maintained. "And that includes such things as putting up tents, fires, and blocking streets for extended periods of time and not allowing folks to get through. We will not allow structures or what we see as the beginning of an occupation."
Chief Harteau went out of her way at Thursday morning's news conference to uplift every officer in her department, and commend them for their professionalism and restraint during a trying 18 days.
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