Duluth-Superior NAACP Wants Charges Against Lancour Dropped

The Duluth-Superior NAACP wants charges dropped against an African-American woman accused of assaulting a police officer.

Standing near the Douglas County District Attorney’s office, about 20 people protested what they call unjust charges against 28-year-old Natasha Lancour. Lancour is charged with battery of a police officer and disorderly conduct in an incident caught on police and cellphone video outside a Superior bar January 5th.

Lancour says she’s grateful for their support. “I’m one of many faces of people’s rights that were violated,” she said, “and this support system means a lot to me.”

She says she feels better knowing the investigation is now in the state’s hands. “To know that it is in someone else’s hands that are above the police department: I’m grateful for it.”

The police dashboard camera video shows Lancour struggling and being struck by officer George Gothner.

Her last words in that clip were, “You did it because I was black.” Gothner says she struck him first, leading to the assault charges.

Now, Lancour says, she’s taking it all in one day at a time. “I always say God will always have the final say and I’m just grateful,” she says. “It’s a blessing.”

Duluth NAACP President Claudie Washington says Lancour is not at fault. “We feel that Mrs. Lancour has been more of a victim in this situation. Therefore we call for District Attorney Dan Blank to drop all charges against her.”

Washington says this isn’t the first time he has heard of Officer Gothner, and said he has “gotten complaints in the past about this officer and his conduct with people of color.”

Stephan Witherspoon is a friend of Lancour’s. He wants to keep Gothner off the streets. “It is my hope that the Superior Police Department holds this officer accountable for his actions, and practices zero tolerance for this kind of behavior.”

Gothner is on paid leave until the state Department of Justice investigation is complete.