U.S. Representative Maxine Waters, D-California, turned up during an anti-police rally in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota on Saturday night, saying protesters should “stay on the streets” and demand justice until police reform becomes a reality.
“I’m going to fight with all the people who stand for justice,” Waters told reporters shortly before an evening clock at 11 p.m. “We must get justice in this country and we can not allow these killings to continue.”
Asked about the Derek Chauvin murder trial in Minneapolis, Waters told reporters if the former police officer is not convicted of the murder of George Floyd: ‘We need to stay on the streets and we need to get more active, we’ need to become more confrontational. We need to make sure they know what our business means. ‘
“We need to become more confrontational. We need to make sure they know what we mean by business.”
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Waters said she is ‘hopeful’ that Chauvin will be convicted of murder, but if he does not, we can not leave. ‘
“We must fight for justice,” she added, insisting that a bill on police reform be passed in Congress, but said Republicans are likely to stand in the way.
She reportedly said she plans to stay in Minnesota until Monday when closing arguments are expected at the Chauvin trial, according to Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, a New York Times reporter.
“This is a very difficult time in the history of this country,” Waters, 82, a member of Congress since 1991, told The Associated Press. “We need to let people know that we will not be satisfied unless we do justice to these matters.”
As reporters gathered around her, Waters said the protesters should finally show up at the polls for candidates who matched their views.
“The way to gain control is not to allow them to win,” Waters said of political opponents in comments aired on FOX 9 in Minneapolis. “You have to register and you have to vote and you have to take power.”
“The way to gain control is not to allow them to win … You have to take power.”
Chauvin is accused of killing Floyd on May 25, 2020 by kneeling on Floyd’s neck for a few minutes. Defense witnesses spoke of Floyd’s health issues and drug use as other possible causes.
Others who appeared in Brooklyn Center on Saturday included Rev. Jesse Jackson. The crowd protested for the seventh consecutive night against the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright (20) last Sunday during a stop.
Rev. Jesse Jackson greets protesters during a rally on April 17, 2021 in Brooklyn Center, Minn (Associated Press).
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The clashes include protesters throwing objects at police. Police arrested more than 100 people on Friday, but it was unclear whether they were arrested on Saturday.
The officer who allegedly killed Wright, identified as Kim Potter, resigned last week, as did the Brooklyn Center police chief. Potter claims she accidentally grabbed her gun instead of a stun gun and shot Wright with the firearm. She is facing charges of manslaughter.
Waters apparently left the protest shortly before the curfew went into effect. A small crowd remained defiant after the evening bell began.