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A MASS of demonstrators chanting: “Black lives matter” converged in the Mall of America rotunda in Minnesota on Saturday as part of the continuing nationwide protest against police brutality.
Organiser Mica Grimm estimated that well over the 3,000 people who pledged their attendance on social media had participated and pictures showed the rotunda was full.
During the protest, activists in the rotunda shouted “While you’re on your shopping spree, black people cannot breathe” — a reference to the chokehold by a police officer that killed Eric Garner in New York.
The rally was the latest part of a nationwide campaign mounted after white police officers weren’t charged in the deaths of unarmed black men in Missouri and New York.
Parts of the shopping centre were closed for some time and signs were posted at entrances advising shoppers that the east side of the centre was on lockdown.
Bloomington police said that 25 people had been arrested, mainly for trespass. Police Commander Mark Stehlik said he was not aware of any injuries or property damage.
The shopping centre’s management seemed to believe its commercial status exempted it from the political life of the community.
Managers issued a statement saying they were “extremely disappointed” that protest organisers had ignored their policy banning political protests.
About 30 minutes after the protest began, a final warning to disperse was given and police in riot gear began clearing the rotunda.
A large group of protesters began to leave, but others migrated to a shopping area and occupied two levels.
A small “die-in” was staged in front of several of the stores.
About an hour later, police in riot gear marched through the shopping centre, ushering protesters outside.
As they were dispersing, the protesters walked down the hall with their arms raised, shouting “Hands up, don’t shoot.”
Ms Grimm said that organisers believed the protest had been a success.
“Our goal is to bring more attention to these issues — and what just happened, nobody can ignore,” she said.
