A note to our community about the death of Amir Locke

Last week, we did not report that Minneapolis Police Officer Mark Hanneman fatally shot Amir Locke on Feb. 2. Our newsletters and website were empty of any reference to Amir Locke. Many of you noticed. To some, our lack of reporting represented our silence around what happened in our city. As I wrote to one reader, I instinctively wanted to say something about Amir Locke on Friday but, because I didn't have anything hopeful to offer, I didn’t say anything. Was that the best move? I don’t think so.

As a news outlet that has pledged to focus on public safety solutions, we are thinking about where Amir Locke’s death puts us as a city. We just came off an intense autumn with a public debate about the future of the Minneapolis Police Department and an uptick in crime throughout the city. Mayor Frey promised police reform and campaigned on already banning no-knock warrants. And now, via a no-knock warrant, the police department has killed another young Black man.

We want to hear from you. How are you feeling about the Minneapolis Police Department? What do you think needs to change in our city?

We are grateful for the trust you have in us to report on your neighborhood, your community, and what matters to you. -Melody, Charlie, and Andrew

Several actions occurred over the weekend, protesting the killing of Amir Locke

On Friday night, a vehicle caravan traveled through downtown and stopped in front of the Bolero Flats building, where Amir Locke was killed.

On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered and marched through downtown Minneapolis.

Last night, a vehicle caravan stopped outside the home of Interim Police Chief Amelia Huffman to demand justice for Amir Locke.

The city government's response has been mixed

By Friday evening, Southwest council members had published their thoughts on the killing of Amir Locke. The statements are published together here.

Mayor Frey and Interim Police Chief Huffman held a contentious press conference Thursday night.

On Saturday, Mayor Frey issued a moratorium on both the request and execution of no-knock warrants in the City of Minneapolis. As mentioned earlier, Mayor Frey said he banned no-knock warrants in 2021 but the MPD continued to carry them out.

LINK ROUNDUP

A police officer who once was fired for his role in the seizure of cellphones during a raid was reinstated and placed in charge of all training for Minneapolis police. The officer, David Garman, is among several officers with blemished records who were recently elevated to leadership positions by interim Police Chief Amelia Huffman. (Star Tribune)

Streets.mn published the most recent USI internet coverage map that appears to mimic other maps of our city. (streets.mn)

COMMUNITY ACTION

Today at 1:30 p.m., the City Council’s Policy & Government Oversight Committee is discussing no-knock warrant policies.

The Cedar-Isles Master Plan Virtual Open House is at 6 p.m.

OUT & ABOUT

Nathan Hanson starts his residency at Icehouse tonight.

Tomorrow night, author Linda LeGarde Grover will virtually discuss her new book, "Gichigami Hearts: Stories and Histories from Misaabekong."

Tomorrow night, the Walker is screening two more films nominated for the Film Independent’s Spirit Awards.