Security Measures Face Scrutiny After U.S. Bank Stadium Pipeline Protest
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- An investigation continues into a major security breach at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday during the Vikings game.
A man and a woman climbed onto a truss on the roof of the stadium and unfurled a giant banner protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The two dangled from climbing ropes by the banner for most of Sunday's game as police officers tried to talk them into coming down.
The biggest question of all remains how did the protesters manage to get through security with not only climbing equipment, but a giant banner.
Sources tell WCCO investigators are going over hours of security tape.
The two protesters came down on their own at the end of the game -- they and a third person were arrested.
The stunt stunned Vikings fans as Sen Holiday and Karl Zimmerman climbed up the ceiling trusses hanging the banner. Dozens of fans were forced to leave their seats as a precaution in case either the protesters or their banner fell. Holiday filmed a statement which was later posted on YouTube.
"We are here today at the U.S. Bank Stadium in solidarity with water protection and Standing Rock," she said.
A Minneapolis police negotiator tried to convince both of the protesters to come down, but they did not leave their perches until the end of the game and when they did, they were promptly arrested on charges of burglary and trespassing.
A third person, Carolyn Feldman, was also arrested for obstructing the legal process.
Stadium authorities issued the following statement.
"We will continue to work with the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, Minnesota Vikings, Monterrey Security and local law enforcement to understand how this occurred and to ensure it does not happen again."
Minneapolis police stressed the protest was a danger to everyone.
"That sign could have fallen, they could have fallen," Officer Corey Schmidt said.
But that is not the way Karl Zimmerman's father sees it.
"Of course I'm proud of him," Dean Zimmerman said.
Dean Zimmerman, a former Minneapolis City Council member and well-known Green Party Activist, said his son accomplished his goal.
"It's getting a lot of press and more and more people are becoming aware of what's actually happening at Standing Rock in North Dakota," Dean Zimmerman said.
All three of those arrested Sunday were released Monday afternoon after spending the night in jail.
Late Monday afternoon a spokesperson for the protesters announced they will be holding a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
There is no word when they will appear in court.
