MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | Remembering Jamar Clark: Ten Years Later, Minneapolis Must Deliver Justice

On November 15, 2015, Jamar Clark, a 24-year-old Black man, was fatally shot by Minneapolis police officers on Plymouth Avenue North. That night, the city lost more than a life — it lost trust, safety, and moral clarity. An 18-day occupation of the Fourth Precinct followed, an unprecedented protest reflecting profound community anguish. Ten years later, the questions remain: Was justice served? And will the city finally confront the systemic failures that left this tragedy unresolved?

Despite multiple investigations, no officer has faced criminal charges. The city offered a settlement to Clark’s family — a gesture of acknowledgment, but far from full accountability.

This anniversary is not just about looking back. It is a reckoning with what remains unresolved. A volunteer community-led review released a report on this milestone that casts serious doubt on the original police account. Eyewitnesses described Clark as non-combative, yet lethal force was used. Video analysis and forensic review further challenge the official narrative. For Clark’s family — his siblings, his mother, his friends — this is not abstract. It is proof that their fight for truth, recognition, and justice continues.

A granite memorial bench was unveiled at the location where Clark was killed, inscribed with his words: “I have a purpose.” The bench is a place to pause, but pause alone cannot bring closure. The moral imperative is clear: the city must act decisively to restore trust and accountability.

The newly reelected mayor faces a critical test. The anniversary of Clark’s death is not only a moment for remembrance; it is a call to leadership. Here are the actions Minneapolis must take:

Reopen the Investigation Transparently
The findings of the volunteer review demand full examination by independent authorities, and the mayor should ensure the case receives renewed scrutiny.

Strengthen Institutional Oversight
Civilian-led review boards must have real authority, evidence should be unfiltered and publicly accessible, and whistleblowers must be protected. Transparency is non-negotiable.

Center Healing in Policy
Grief without healing is a civic failing. The city should invest in restorative justice initiatives, community programs, and youth development efforts, partnering with grassroots initiatives dedicated to Clark’s legacy.

Institutionalize Clark’s Legacy
Beyond memorials, the mayor should establish a permanent commission to review police use-of-force cases, recommend reforms, and ensure victims’ families remain central to public safety policy.

Lead With Moral Courage
The mayor must speak truthfully about what failed, meet regularly with Clark’s family, and set concrete, time-bound commitments for reform. Words alone will not suffice.

Jamar Clark’s death was a crisis of conscience for Minneapolis. Ten years later, his life — and the injustice of its ending — still echo through the city’s streets and in the hearts of its people. Memorials are important, but justice, accountability, and healing are paramount. For Clark’s family,

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