What appeared to be hundreds of demonstrators occupied part of the Mall of America on Saturday to protest police killings of unarmed black people. “While you are on your shopping spree, black people cannot breathe,” they chanted. “That’s why we’re angry, that’s why we’re here. Santa won’t see Tamir this year!” they chanted, in reference to 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was shot dead by police in Cleveland because he was holding an airsoft gun. The protest was the latest in a wave of demonstrations that have taken place across the country in the wake of the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. #handsupdontshoot Mall of America #BlackLivesMpls #BlackLivesMatter A video posted by Nekima Levy-Pounds (@nekimal) on Dec 12, 2014 …
What appeared to be hundreds of demonstrators occupied part of the Mall of America on Saturday to protest police killings of unarmed black people.
“While you are on your shopping spree, black people cannot breathe,” they chanted.
“That’s why we’re angry, that’s why we’re here. Santa won’t see Tamir this year!” they chanted, in reference to 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was shot dead by police in Cleveland because he was holding an airsoft gun.
The protest was the latest in a wave of demonstrations that have taken place across the country in the wake of the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Ominous sign from Mall of America declares Final Warning to demonstrators. Pic via @EdSudden pic.twitter.com/ZNBchHZNR3
— newyorkist (@Newyorkist) December 20, 2014
The Mall of America tweeted that it was closing areas of the building due to an “unauthorized protest,” and that it was taking “appropriate security measures.”
A call to the Mall of America’s press office was not immediately answered.
More from the Associated Press:
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — Demonstrators chanting, “Black lives matter,” converged in the Mall of America rotunda Saturday as part of a protest of police brutality that caused at least part of the mall to shut down on a busy day for holiday shoppers.
The group Black Lives Matter Minneapolis had more than 3,000 people confirm on Facebook that they would attend. Official attendance figures weren’t immediately available, but pictures posted to social media by local news organizations showed the rotunda was full.
The Mall of America increased security, and police in riot gear were present. WCCO-AM reported that stores were closed for a short time, and signs were posted at some entrances advising shoppers that the east side of the mall was on lockdown.
After a final warning to disperse about 30 minutes after the protest began, police in riot gear began clearing the rotunda, the Star Tribune reported. A large group of protesters began leaving the mall, but others migrated to a shopping area and occupied two levels.
About an hour later, organizers sent out a group text message advising those who were still inside to exit. There were no immediate reports of any official arrests, but local media posted on Twitter that a few people were being escorted away by police.
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#BlackLivesMatter Protesters Shut Down Part Of Mall Of America
