Calls for Calm, Unity Outside Brooklyn Center Police Station

The high-profile trial of Kim Potter started on Tuesday with jury selection. The former Brooklyn Center police officer is charged with first and second-degree manslaughter. Potter, who is white, shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright, who was Black, during a traffic stop on April 11. Potter said she never intended to kill Wright.

The fatal shooting sparked protests and rioting last spring outside the Brooklyn Center police station. As a result, Brooklyn Center city officials are implementing several strategies to keep everyone safe in anticipation of protests. They say they will use social media to keep residents and businesses informed. They’re also designating specific areas for peaceful demonstrations.

However, city leaders aren’t the only ones calling for calm. Several organizations hope to spread peace.

Brooklyn Center officials installed barricades at designated peaceful protests space for an event Tuesday night.

Community leaders and residents marked the first day of the Kim Potter trial by gathering at the Brooklyn Center Community Center early Tuesday morning for a prayer breakfast.

“It’s an honor to pray for our city leaders as we get ready to go into this trial, not only just for our city leaders, but us, too,” said LaToya Turk, executive director of Our Sisters Keeper Minnesota.

Pastor Brian Herron from Zion Baptist Church says he supports the family and hopes for a positive outcome.

“Our hearts go out to them, and we just want to see justice served, whatever that is,” said Herron.

Brooklyn center officials say the goal is to support the community.

“How do we hear those voices of pain and trauma and not few that as a protest, but the healing of the people,” said Reggie Edwards, Brooklyn Center’s city manager.

Nonprofits Work to Spread Peace

2ndChance Project using art and entertainment to uplift community.

Meanwhile, the nonprofit 2ndChance Project is using art and entertainment to uplift the community. The organization strung up lights along the police fence and installed artwork for an event called “Lights On.”

“To be able to interpret their own feelings and so will be able to challenge or channel the anger and attention away from the police department,” explained CJ Jessup, founder of 2ndChance Project. “I want people to see community, and I want people to see unity. I want people to see that change is actually happening.”

Brooklyn Center