Black Lives Matter demonstrators were prevented from protesting at the Mall of America Wednesday afternoon as planned, when shop owners decided to close early rather than deal with the pandemonium.
The Mall of America filed a motion for a restraining order Monday, but the judge only granted it against three leaders of the organization.
Instead of shoppers and open stores, they were met by police officers, barricades and empty shops. Four arrests were made.
Stores around East Rotunda at MOA are closed #BlackXMas pic.twitter.com/zONd3ClCJJ
— Brandon Long (@BLongStPaul) December 23, 2015
North Star Post: Barricades erected in anticipation of #BlackXmas #BlackLivesMatter protest in Mall of America pic.twitter.com/Bv5X5tZCwN
— Patrick deHahn (@patrickdehahn) December 23, 2015
Screens across mall displaying this, many just learning of protest now, confused why so many stores are closing pic.twitter.com/qlbDc8WKre
— bengarvin (@bengarvin) December 23, 2015
If the protesters were expecting a warm reception at Mall of America, they were disappointed.
Heavy police presence at #MOA, dogs, helmets, handcuffs, and zip ties #BlackXMas #Justice4Jamar pic.twitter.com/mgKPt25lQJ
— Brandon Long (@BLongStPaul) December 23, 2015
Police now out in full force, PA system urging shoppers to “seek shelter” as mall goes into lockdown. pic.twitter.com/orB80DOpHI
— Patricia Lopez (@StribLopez) December 23, 2015
Barricades erected in anticipation of #BlackXmas #BlackLivesMatter protest pic.twitter.com/4CfWP8dtgH
— North Star Post (@NStarPost) December 23, 2015
Many Stores closing pic.twitter.com/mPGs0htDYv
— bengarvin (@bengarvin) December 23, 2015
Nonetheless, many demonstrators made it in, but their numbers were a far cry from last year’s estimated 3,000
My crowd estimate: roughly 600. That’s based on actually counting heads. #MOA pic.twitter.com/etPiPTaaGN
— John Reinan (@StribGuy) December 23, 2015
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