'Black Lives Matter' Group Planning Protest At MOA Saturday
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- More than 2,000 protesters could gather inside the Mall of America's main rotunda this Saturday afternoon to demonstrate against the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police officers in Ferguson and New York.
The City of Bloomington and Mall management is asking the group not to meet there for safety reasons and because it is considered trespassing.
The protests are part of the national #BlackLivesMatter movement, and they are the same group that shut down Interstate 35W in Minneapolis recently.
City officials have offered an alternative location for the group to protest that is outside of the mall.
Organizers say they're being deliberately vague about what will happen, but say we can expect Christmas carols "with a twist." They say there will be a program, and that it will be peaceful.
Demonstrators say they don't want to get in the way of shoppers, but they feel it is important to be inside the mall to get noticed.
"So much money is spent in these corporations by the black community and we feel they should be taking a stand around policing in this country," organizer Michael McDowell, said.
Given this Saturday is one of the last remaining holiday shopping days of the year, Bloomington City Attorney Sandra Johnson says it just can't be allowed. The Mall of America doesn't allow demonstrations on its private property.
"We don't have the luxury of choosing which laws we choose to enforce or prosecute," she said.
The City of Bloomington offered the protesters a plot of land outside the mall instead, just east of the Mall of America, which could fit more people than the rotunda.
"It's a little disrespectful to say go outside where you are not going to be seen or heard," McDowell said, adding he'd rather Bloomington police work with the protesters as they have in past Minneapolis protests. "I think the disruption is necessary to get the attention for our message."
Johnson says the protesters should not count on cooperation. Safety is the first priority.
"If they charge them, we will prosecute them. The penalty is 90 days in jail max, and a $1,000 fine for trespass," she said. "Multiple charges if they engage in disorderly conduct."
Johnson said she hopes organizers will respond to letters and emails the city has sent to try and sit and talk about Saturday. McDowell said he would be open to that, but with the understanding they still will protest in the mall.
Johnson said police will focus on organizers or people identified to be leading the protest. There have been charges filed in connection with other protests there in the past from other groups.
