There's a big protest brewing up north, as a Black Lives Matter group is organizing a direct action to take place in that bastion of capitalist mania, the Mall of America. According to the Black Lives Matter Minneapolis Facebook page, a major action is planned at the Mall on Saturday, during the last (big shopping) weekend before Christmas. In preparation for the protest, the group says that on Wednesday
We trained 250 people in direct action tonight. We're ready for the @mallofamerica. #BlackChristmas
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Image from the Black Lives Matter Minneapolis Facebook page
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The Mall authorities - surprise, surprise - in cooperation with the local police department, have been attempting to preemptively intimidate the organizers.
The Black Lives Matter Minneapolis Facebook page has this to say:
We are writing to bring to your attention our concerns regarding the lengths to which Mall of America's management has gone to locate, contact, and intimidate the organizers of this event. Initially, letters were sent by courier to our homes last Friday that threatened arrests if the event continued on as planned. Then, yesterday, they sent two City of Bloomington police officers to question family members and roommates about the organizers’ whereabouts and if they planned on attending the event.
We want to be as transparent as possible: These are clear tactics of intimidation.
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Here's a copy of the letter:
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The Mall authorities' letter of intimidation, speaking in Orwellian fashion of the the protestors' "anticipated cooperation".
The direct action organizers, though, are not intimidated, and in fact are having none of it:
We want to make it clear to the public that we will not be intimidated and we will not be silenced. We ask you to join us to expose the crises our communities face every day.
We expect people of all ages, sexes, genders, religions, colors, and creeds to show up in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter at the Mall of America at 2pm Saturday, December 20. Currently, over 1,800 people have confirmed their attendance on Facebook.
A local news story,
Mall of America seeks to deter 'Black Lives Matter' demonstration, says
About 2,000 people are expected to assemble for what organizer Michael McDowell calls a peaceful gathering to protest police brutality.
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McDowell was coy about his plans, but said they involve singing "Christmas carols with a twist."
His group was behind the demonstration that shut down Interstate 35W earlier this month for hours. The mall event, however, would be different, he said.
"It's more like singing songs and taking up space," McDowell said. "It's definitely going to slow down the shopping traffic, but we don't intend to block shoppers or stores or anything like that."
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Black Lives Matter protesters block Interstate 35W
(Photo credit: MPR News)
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This holiday season I know what I'm dreaming of....