MINNEAPOLIS — Last night, authorities in Chicago released a videotape showing Laquan McDonald being shot sixteen times by police. A white police officer has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of McDonald. On Monday, five activists calling for racial justice were shot while taking part in a demonstration near a Minneapolis police station—where protests have been staged since November 15. Three white men have been arrested in connection to the allegedly racially motivated attack.
“We our outraged by this senseless violence against Black Lives Matter activists in Minneapolis and the recently released video (Above NSFW) showing the callous murder of Laquan McDonald by Chicago police. These are appalling acts of violence and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Laquan McDonald and of the activists who were attacked in Minneapolis. We urge the Justice Department to swiftly investigate both shootings as hate crimes and to use every tool in their power to bring justice to Laquan McDonald and the Black Lives Matter activists in Minneapolis.
“While some might think these shootings are isolated incidents, the reality is that these malicious attacks are part of an epidemic of violence—the targeting and killing of Black people—that is taking place all across America. The Minneapolis attack on Black Lives Matter activists and the murder of Laquan McDonald show that our nation has yet to eliminate racism. We call on everyone to join us in our work to end violence, to end the excessive use of force by police, and to increase accountability and transparency at local police departments. We can and must continue to do more to end all forms of racism and discrimination,” said Russell Roybal, National LGBTQ Task Force Deputy Executive Director.
