Before Floyds death, activists saw progress on police reforms
The city appointed its first black chief of police nearly three years ago, after slow progress toward making the department more inclusive. Earlier this year, a statewide task force made up of activists, people representing victims of police brutality, and law enforcement leaders released recommendations for policing reforms. Those included Clark, who was killed during a struggle with two white Minneapolis officers, and Philando Castile, who was fatally shot by a Hispanic suburban police officer during a traffic stop in 2016. The eruption of anger in Minneapolis reflects frustration over these realities, despite some progress, said Teqen Za-Aida, a longtime activist in the city. Floyds death just touched people in a way that they didnt expect, said Armstrong.