Twin Cities organizers and activists took to social media Monday night and announced two Minneapolis rallies on Tuesday in response to the news that a Missouri grand jury decided not to indict a white police officer for fatally shooting a black teenager.
A student rally in support of victims of police brutality was planned for 3 p.m. at the University of Minnesota's Coffman Memorial Union.
A solidarity rally and march for Michael Brown, who was killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, was planned for 4:30 p.m. near the Minneapolis Police Department's 3rd Precinct building at E. Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue.
Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau announced that the department may support demonstrators by providing logistical support and rerouting traffic as needed.
"We believe it is very important for the public to be heard on this matter as part of the democratic process, and we realize the law enforcement community needs public support to be effective," Harteau said in a statement. "We ask for everyone's help in maintaining a safe and secure city while respecting private property."
As the news from Ferguson spread, local social-media users voiced their opinions.
Local hip-hop phenom Lizzo tweeted, "All of my energy is going to the Brown family right now. If my heart is broken, I can't even imagine what they're feeling."
There was a lot of discussion after Valeria Silva, superintendent of St. Paul public schools, tweeted, "No indictment for officer Wilson! Very sad day in America. How do I explain this to my black students?"
