Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Press Contact: Sam Sanchez 612.460.7264 Press Contact: Sam Sanchez 612.460.7264
At todays #InjusticeOnAStick protest at Hamline Park, At todays #InjusticeOnAStick protest at Hamline Park,
the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J) the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar (TCC4J)
announced they will be demanding an all civilian elected announced they will be demanding an all civilian elected
Minneapolis Police Accountability Council (MPAC). Minneapolis Police Accountability Council (MPAC).
MPACs goal would be to end the deadly cycle of police MPACs goal would be to end the deadly cycle of police
violence that's disproportionately perpetrated against violence that's disproportionately perpetrated against
Black, Latinx, and working-class people in Minneapolis. Black, Latinx, and working-class people in Minneapolis.
MPAC would be comprised totally of civilians and MPAC would be comprised totally of civilians and
prohibits both current and former police officers from prohibits both current and former police officers from
serving on its body. serving on its body.
The piecemeal reforms offered by both current and The piecemeal reforms offered by both current and
potential Mayor and city council members do not potential Mayor and city council members do not
address the systematic problems of the MPD which have address the systematic problems of the MPD which have
continued to go unchecked. The MPD is responsible for continued to go unchecked. The MPD is responsible for
the murder of Justine Damond, Jamar Clark, Fong Lee, the murder of Justine Damond, Jamar Clark, Fong Lee,
Terrance Franklin and this doesnt include excessive Terrance Franklin and this doesnt include excessive
force victims. This year marks the 150th anniversary of force victims. This year marks the 150th anniversary of
the establishment of the MPD. It is time for a new era in the establishment of the MPD. It is time for a new era in
Minneapolis and Minnesota, we are tired of losing loved Minneapolis and Minnesota, we are tired of losing loved
ones to police crimes! ones to police crimes!
TCC4J, community members, and activists will present TCC4J, community members, and activists will present
talking points to mayoral and city council candidates talking points to mayoral and city council candidates
during the coming months to ensure that community during the coming months to ensure that community
lead accountability for the MPD is a reality. Lorretta lead accountability for the MPD is a reality. Lorretta
VanPelt TCC4J organizer said, During TCC4Js work VanPelt TCC4J organizer said, During TCC4Js work
demanding No Grand Jury from Mike Freeman in the demanding No Grand Jury from Mike Freeman in the
murder of Jamar Clark, we learned that our murder of Jamar Clark, we learned that our
communities are the ones who hold the system communities are the ones who hold the system
accountable for its wrongs, not politicians. We will take accountable for its wrongs, not politicians. We will take
this knowledge and apply it to MPAC to demand true this knowledge and apply it to MPAC to demand true
accountability from the MPD and community control! accountability from the MPD and community control!