Shooting Last Night at Jamar Clark Gathering

I am deeply disturbed by the violence that occurred last night at the 4th precinct. It is totally unacceptable and must not - and WILL not - be tolerated.

I have heard from the Police Department that two of the people suspected of being responsible have been arrested. This is very good news, and I look forward to the persons responsible being held accountable for their violent actions. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the MPD for working so quickly and effectively to make this arrest.

Now more than ever we need to be united as a people, as a government standing arm in arm with those most impacted by this violence, to protect one another, ensure that all of us are safe, that the violence is stopped, that people’s rights - including the right to speak to their government, loudly and forcefully, for redress of grievances - are preserved.

Then, united and safe, we can move together, to find the truth and see that there is justice and healing, for Jamar Clark, his family and friends, and our entire community.

And let us not forget as we do this, that what happened last night is a horrific symptom that has erupted from a deeper malady that has plagued our city for decades and decades. This malady of injustice, violence, racism and hatred, must be faced, it must be treated and cured, as difficult, costly and complicated as that may be, or we will doom ourselves, and our children to be victims of more acts of hatred and violence like this in the future. We must respond to this violence and hate with nonviolence, justice and love. Let us hold these precious values in our hearts in the days and weeks ahead. As Martin Luther King, Jr., said:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."