Community leaders are coming together this 4th of July to decry the recent violence in the Twin Cities.
Long time Twin Cities civil rights activist Nekima Levy Armstrong talked about what they're calling a gun violence crisis in the Black community.
"One woman was shot and killed in a vehicle who had two small children, and we're just saying this cannot be tolerated," says Armstrong. "We have seen a spate of murders that have happened in recent weeks, and many of the victims have been young Black women, some of whom are mothers of young children."
Armstrong is the founder of Racial Justice Network. She and others held a press conference ahead of the 4th of July holiday to address the issue, and demand fixes to this 'crisis.'
She says they are calling for everyone to double down on the solution, which includes better wrap-around services for kids in foster care and teaching conflict resolution in school.
She also says there needs to be more done by law enforcement to track down straw gun purchasers.
"As we head into the holiday weekend, we wanted to remind people to be vigilant, to understand that these issues are systemic, that this is a pattern of violence, and that they have to be on guard, especially hanging out at parks and in other places this weekend," Armstrong added.
Minneapolis Police are working to make sure what happened during the last couple of 4th of July holidays doesn't happen again. Besides gun violence, there have been numerous incidents of teenagers launching fireworks at cars and even police officers.
"So, we'll be staffed up all through the weekend, but the biggest thing I am concerned about is what has happened here since 2020 with really late at night on the 4th, overnight into the 5th with kind of these mobs popping up," says Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.
He says they are taking proactive measures to maintain order and several streets and parking lots will be closed.
"Even not being a part of shooting off fireworks, you're gonna stand there around and watch and essentially encourage this dangerous situation, we're gonna lock you up too," O'Hara warns.