College Democrats of America, CDA Black Caucus, and College Democrats of Minnesota Joint-Statment on the police murder of Amir Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The College Democrats of America issued this joint statement with the CDA Black Caucus and the College Democrats of Minnesota on the police murder of Amir Locke:
The College Democrats of America, the College Democrats of Minnesota, and the CDA Black Caucus reaffirm their calls for justice, action, and accountability for Amir Locke, a 22-year-old Black man killed by the Minneapolis Police Department on February 2nd. Without warning, and without regard for law or life, police officers shot and killed Amir within 9 seconds of storming the apartment where he was sleeping. Within 9 seconds, Amir was woken up and gunned down. Amir Locke should still be alive today. Yet here we are. Again. His death is tragic, indefensible, and a brutal reminder of all that has not changed.
It has been nine days since Amir Locke was killed by the Minneapolis Police Department. It has been nine days since Amir Locke was stolen from his family and from his community. It only took nine seconds for Minneapolis Police to startle, shoot, and kill Amir Locke. And yet, in the past nine days, very little has tangibly changed — except for more hollow promises, more community trauma, and one less living Black man due to violent policing and political inaction.
Nine days later, and Amir’s killer, Officer Mark Hanneman, has yet to be fired or face criminal charges. Nine days later, and the Minneapolis Police Department has yet to explain why Amir Locke was falsely labeled a suspect in their report, or why they lied to the press and to the public about the events leading up to Amir’s death. Nine days later, and so much remains unchanged, unanswered, and unacceptable.
Let us be clear: The Mayor of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the local, state, and federal leaders unwilling to enact substantive policy change, are all responsible for the death of Amir Locke. We cannot accept the system as it exists. We cannot allow more violence and terrorism from police. And while steps like banning ‘no-knock’ warrants and ensuring consequences for the officers involved are necessary, we must not pretend these steps alone are enough to keep our communities safe.
We stand in solidarity alongside the thousands of organizers and protestors in Minneapolis, and alongside Black and Brown communities across the country, in calling for Officer Hanneman and other officers involved to be fired, arrested, and charged with murder. We call on Mayor Jacob Frey to actually enforce his second moratorium on both the requesting and execution of “no-knock” warrants in Minneapolis, and we call on political leaders to take action ensuring they can be banned from use forever. We call on America to stand in defense of Black lives today and every day.
Rest in Power to Amir Locke and the ever-growing list of victims who have been harmed or killed by the American policing apparatus. This fight is not over, and it can only be won together.
Stay safe, stay committed, and support one another. We are in this with you, always. Onwards.
###
Press Contacts:
Hector Mendez, CDA National Communications Director
communications@collegedemocratsofamerica.com
Justin Hartley, CDA Black Caucus Vice-Chair
Carter Yost, College Democrats of Minnesota President
