Black Lives Matters protesters block Super Bowl rail in Minneapolis: ‘You can’t play with Black Lives’
As fans headed to yesterday’s Super Bowl, some were hindered by Black Lives Matter protesters blocking a rail line reserved for Super Bowl ticket holders. The activists attempted to inconvenience fans in Minneapolis draw attention to a number of causes, ranging from police brutality to corporate greed to lack of support for the poor.
“Authorities seem to have extracted everyone who was involved in the hard blockade of the light rail going to #Minneapolis #SuperBowl stadium. @MinneapolisPD, @MinneapolisFire, @MetroTransitMN & University of Minnesota police all involved in the operation. https://www.unicornriot.ninja/live-channel/” – @UR_Ninja
“RT UR_Ninja: #BlackLivesMatter protesters have been dancing and chanting as they blockade the light rail near #Minneapolis #SuperBowl stadium. They’re calling out city officials for de-investing in black communities while overfunding police …”
Videos posted on social media show police loading the arrested activists into a bus. At least 17 people were arrested.
Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla said it’s unlikely any charges would be brought against them.
“Activists are using this moment to stand with athletes who have protested throughout the past two football seasons calling attention to the murder of Black people by police, and to the City of Minneapolis banning city residents from using public transit without a Super Bowl ticket,” organizers of the protest said in a statement Sunday afternoon.
The Metro Transit sent buses to ferry spectators to the stadium to get around the blockade.