This city is alive. Let it breathe.

Hundreds gathered in Elliot Park the other day to protest the no-charges decision by the Hennepin County attorney's office in the Jamar Clark shooting investigation. Each arrived in solidarity with Jamar Clark's family and in disgust with the hypocrisy of proclaimed justice.

Young people spoke eloquently and powerfully, leading a roar for the prosecution of the officers involved that echoed through downtown Wednesday evening. Traffic lanes were blocked by civilian-bicycle barricades as the group moved on South 9th Street.

The demonstration, upon reaching the Government Center, had momentum far beyond the November tragedy — it was a movement of people united, people who felt unheard by their government. Chants encompassed broad social issues, in one case referring to a particular bill before the Minnesota Legislature (HF 3396) that calls for disallowing transgender students from using their respective restrooms.

Discontent powered the March 30 protest into activism. The cornucopia of identities present did not call for the forcible removal of city leaders nor the unconstitutional sentencing of officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze. But it was a statement from the people of Minneapolis to their leaders saying: "You represent us. This is a democracy. Please, listen."

There is nothing simple about organizing mass movements. Just one stray individual can derail progress. Before marching from Elliot Park to the Government Center, leaders from Black Lives Matter (BLM), the Black Liberation Project (BLP) and Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC) reminded the gathered crowd of the night protesters were shot by white supremacists during the 18-day encampment outside of Minneapolis' Fourth Precinct police station. They urged everyone to "look out for each other" and "have a buddy."

Near the end of the scheduled program, upon the steps of the Government Center, those gathered were asked to live the spirit of loving one another by proclaiming so to their neighbor. The experience of overwhelming compassion among hundreds of strangers was empowering and strengthened solidarity.

This case is not over. Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, Hennepin County Attorney Freeman and Minneapolis Chief Janeé Harteau need to understand that. Though the question of whether or not the officers involved acted in accordance with Minnesota and Minneapolis law was seemingly answered, it leads to an intransigent and idiosyncratic argument.

The questions should be: Is the law protecting police executions just? Couldn't the officers have shot Jamar anywhere but his head? Why is a genuine dissatisfaction with public safety being treated as juvenile?

So, I say, as a resident of the Fourth Precinct and in solidarity with all who experience this frustration: You represent us. This is a democracy. Please, listen.

Akhilesh Menawat lives in Minneapolis.