The demonstration was the second in two weeks organized by Sanders's family, friends, and others involved in protesting cop brutality. Activists distributed thousands of fliers, going door-to-door to build the action.

Sanders was shot more than 33 times by five cops, who blocked his car in an alley with their patrol cars after following him, and then fired at him. They now justify their action by claiming he tried to run them over. Sanders, who was unarmed, had done nothing more than "drive erratically," according to the cops.

Many believe the police are hiding the truth. After nearly three weeks, "they still haven't released the autopsy report," said Leslie Draine, a close friend. "They won't tell us how many times he was hit." She explained that the family was not allowed to see Sanders's body until three days after he was killed.

"They're trying to cover it up," said Ken Warren, Sanders's oldest brother.

A number of people at the rally, which was held at Sabathani Community Center, said it was the first time they had been to a demonstration.

Susanne Dickison, 31, who lives a block from the shooting, said, "The worst part is that the police have a license to kill." Dickison heard the shots when police fired, and later saw that Sanders's body remained in his car up for up to six hours after he had been shot. "The police were standing around, laughing and smoking," she said.

Arfasse Gemeda, 19, said students at the Africana Student Cultural Center at the University of Minnesota were planning an event to protest the killing.

The shooting "made me think that it could have happened to anyone in my family," said Gemeda. "It's sad to see this keep going, one after another."

A meeting to organize further actions is planned for December 2.  
 
 
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