One of the often overlooked and misunderstood aspects of the 4th precinct occupation in 2016 was how much North Minneapolis residents and the organizers held it down, they were in control the whole way. When usurpers tried it, they had to shoot their way out.

The city never acknowledged that debt to residents and community, they held the city together. The community maintained law and order without the interference of the police hammer. 18 whole day and night.

Black youth held it down. Period. They maintained order and created fellowship and mutual aid. Folks got clothed and fed in the middle of Minnesota winter. The police and leadership was just a befuddled as they are today. Black youth were not.

That is why I know this is some other shit. Our city is being destroyed by a lack of knowledge by so-called leadership, a hubris.

Our city is being destroyed by opportunists taking advantage of irony, the only bodies hunted down and criminalized are the same Black youth that organized and saved you from yourself.

to close this thought. Police or the city of Minneapolis did not resolve the 4th precinct occupation or provide Justice for Jamar. The creation of a healing space all around that harmful space was what saved our city in those days. But clearly it is was temporary and fleeting.