Minnesota Police Officer Caught Telling Drivers to 'Run Over' Black Lives Matter Protesters
A police officer in St. Paul, Minnesota, has been put on administrative leave after encouraging social media users to "run over" Black Lives Matter protesters participating in a march on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Police in the Midwestern city have said they are conducting an investigation regarding the police officer who allegedly posted the controversial message on the Pioneer Press' Facebook page over the weekend. While the officer's name hasn't officially been released to the public, a police spokesperson told CNN this week that the officer in question has been with the department for over 20 years.
Social media users alerted local officials when they noticed a disturbing Facebook post written over the weekend by "JM Roth," a member of the St. Paul Police Department, that tells civilians they can run over Black Lives Matters protesters who block the street.
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The officer's post was written as a comment on a Pioneer Press article posted to the newspaper's Facebook page that announced the planned Black Lives Matter protest on Lake Street bridge on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
"Run them over. Keep traffic flowing and don't slow down for any of these idiots who try and block the street," the post read.
"Here is the deal, you continue to drive and if you hit someone make sure you call 911 to report the accident and meet the cops a block or two away and you can justify stopping further away because you feared for your safety since in the past people in this group has shown a propensity towards violence," the post continues.
"Since they are trying to block the street and/or cross where there is no crossing you should not be charged with anything. Now, these idiots could try and sue in civil court, but remember that it will be jury trial and so most likely it will come out in your favor," the post concludes.
The local police department and city officials have distanced themselves from the Facebook post, arguing it does not represent the values of St. Paul law enforcement.
"The statement is offensive, disappointing, concerning and does not reflect in any way -- or align with -- the views, values and practices of the Saint Paul Police Department," the police department said in its statement. "If it is determined that the comment was written by a member of the Saint Paul Police Department, swift, strong and decisive disciplinary action will be taken."
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman also issued a statement saying he was "outraged and disgusted" by the social media post.
"There is no room in the St. Paul Police Department for employees who threaten members of the public. If the allegation is true, we will take the strongest possible action allowed under law," Coleman added.
Black Lives Matter activists have been holding protests in Minnesota's Twin Cities for the past several months after two shootings of unarmed men by local law enforcement, including African-American 24-year-old Jamar Clark in November 2015 and 30-year-old Phillip Quinn in September 2015.
The protests have experienced resistance from the local community, with the Mall of America requesting to have the activists banned from holding a major protest a few days before Christmas back in 2015.
Four men were also charged with opening fire on Black Lives Matter protesters in late November, injuring five people.
