Rybak declines to criticize police in Occupy arrests

Updated: April 10, 2012 - 10:00 PM

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A man who identified himself as Osha Karow tried to question Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak after Tuesday’s meeting at City Hall.

Photo: David Joles, Star Tribune

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Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak told protesters from the Occupy movement on Tuesday he'd pass along complaints of police brutality to Police Chief Tim Dolan for investigation, but the mayor declined to criticize police for how they handled demonstrators Saturday.

About 75 protesters crowded into a room in City Hall, where they fired questions and blasted police for the mistreatment they said they received when they marched through downtown Minneapolis.

Police arrested 12 people on misdemeanor counts of blocking traffic and creating a public nuisance. Dolan said police first warned them, but protesters said that didn't happen.

Rybak said that he condemns police misbehavior if it can be proven and that Dolan had fired more officers than any other Minneapolis chief. Dolan said protesters should give him specifics and his internal affairs unit would review them.

Rybak said he shared concerns that Dolan expressed publicly Monday that an officer appears to have behaved inappropriately toward KSTP photographer Chad Nelson, who had a camera knocked from his hands. Dolan has said he is investigating.

RANDY FURST