Hundreds filled the Shiloh Temple on the north side of Minneapolis Thursday for the funeral of a black man shot and killed by a police officer. Amir Locke was shot and killed by a Minneapolis Police Department SWAT team member during a no-knock search warrant on February 2nd.
Bishop Richard Howell officiated the service and acknowledged the anger felt by many over the death of Locke.
“During this time of reflection and grief, and mourning, and anger, God we ask You for Your glory to shine upon us today,” Howell said during the service.
Related
It was the second time in less than a year that the Reverend Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy and Sharpton said they will continue to come to Minneapolis as long as necessary to end the killing.
“We know how to get here, we know how to visit here,” Sharpton declared. “It ain’t too cold in the winter. We’re going to get justice for Amir Locke.”
Sharpton also was the eulogist during the Minneapolis memorial service for George Floyd.
“Our names are our title of ownership,” says Sharpton. “That’s why it didn’t matter that Amir’s name wasn’t on the warrant. Because we don’t have a right to a name a name in the eyes of some in this country. We are nameless suspects.”
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey was not at the service. The family did not invite that mayor who said he would follow the wishes of Amir Locke’s family. Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan were among the mourners.
Related
Other speakers at the funeral were critical of Minneapolis police, suggesting the killings of Black men are not because of poor training of officers with several family members getting a chance to speak.
Locke’s Aunt, Linda Taylor, had a message for Minneapolis police.
“It is clear to us, all of us, that you do not value black lives,” says Taylor. “You ambushed my nephew, you took his life, and while he didn’t matter to you, he mattered to Karen, he mattered to Buddy, he mattered to Andre Jr., his brother who you took from him.”
Amir's Uncle Andrew Taylor says what happened shows that police reform should be a priority.
“We aren’t anti-police, but we are pro-Amir,” Andrew Taylor says. “We are pro the Amir Locke Bill, the Amir Locke Law. Pass this law. Stop allowing people to come into these dwellings. You do not have the right to kill our people. These are our people.
The Amir Locke Bill is a proposal by some Minnesota House Democrats to ban no-knock warrants like the one that led to Locke’s shooting, or Breonna Taylor who was shot in 2020 by police in Louisville.
Related
Locke’s mother, Karen Wells also spoke to the gathered crowd Thursday and saying those responsible for his death should never forget Amir.
“Chief of Police, Mayor Frey, and all those SWAT members that was in there, when you go to bed at night I want you to see his face,” said Wells. “When you wake up in the morning I want you to see his face. When you take a shower, I want you to see his face. When you brush your teeth, I want you to see his face. Because what y’all done to him, has already been done to y’all.”