MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Hundreds of protesters marched from two different Minneapolis locations Wednesday night to protest the presidential election — before converging onto Interstate 94 and being arrested.
WCCO’s Jennifer Mayerle said two groups of protesters, led by Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar, were expected to march two miles — one beginning on Cedar Avenue in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, and the other at the Hennepin County Government Center downtown — then loop back. The exact route wasn’t disclosed.
Protesters began gathering at the sites at about 6 p.m., and then began marching at about 7:15 p.m.
East 94 in Minneapolis is taken over by protesters @WCCO pic.twitter.com/BQgVKwIjBg
— Dymanh Chhoun (@Dymanh) November 5, 2020
At about 7:40 p.m., hundreds began to walk out onto eastbound Interstate 94 at Cedar Avenue, leading to traffic being backed up for miles.
— Jennifer Mayerle (@jennifermayerle) November 5, 2020
Law enforcement in their riot gear marching behind the protest but keeping their distance. @WCCO pic.twitter.com/eQktA2SavD
— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) November 5, 2020
By about 8:15 p.m., WCCO’s Jeff Wagner said animosity began to brew between protesters and law enforcement, with many refusing to sit down.
“You are all under arrest” I been hearing that from the person who is speaking on the speaker on East 94 @WCCO pic.twitter.com/Ja6YrOR9zk
— Dymanh Chhoun (@Dymanh) November 5, 2020
He said riot gear-clad law enforcement were also on the interstate, keeping about a 50-yard distance from protesters. At about 8 p.m., WCCO crews saw dozens of protesters attempt to scale fences to get off the interstate as officers approached.
About five minutes later, police announced on loud speakers that everyone on the interstate needed to sit down and prepare to be arrested. Drivers were also told to turn their vehicles off. Westbound I-94 was then shut down as well.
State Patrol slowly beginning to arrest people in the back of the protest for unlawful assembly on I-94. They’ve been ordering people to sit down. Some in the front remain standing in protest. @WCCO pic.twitter.com/CzofmhUgaF
— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) November 5, 2020
At about 8:25 p.m., Minnesota State Patrol troopers began to make arrests on the eastbound side of the interstate, near the Riverside Avenue exit. State patrol officials estimated, at about 8:40 p.m., that 200 protesters were on the interstate.
Music has started and a small dance party has followed among those waiting to be arrested. @WCCO pic.twitter.com/5Q0USU6sMb
— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) November 5, 2020
The state patrol are slowly arrested people one by one @WCCO pic.twitter.com/zkvKSBCy1Y
— Dymanh Chhoun (@Dymanh) November 5, 2020
At about 9 p.m., demonstrators apparently struck a deal with law enforcement to allow protesters who have children at home, and juveniles, to be arrested and processed quickly. Soon after, the Minnesota State Patrol made a statement on Twitter, saying, “Walking on the freeway is illegal and very dangerous for pedestrians and motorists. We respect the right of everyone to express themselves under the First Amendment, but the freeway is not a place to do that.”
This group sitting here is minors or parents with children at home thar they are trying to get back to. A protest organizer talked w/ State Patrol to have this group arrested first so they can be processed quicker than everyone else. @WCCO pic.twitter.com/vijTb9H0k2
— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) November 5, 2020
Approximately 200 protesters and dozens of media members were still completely surrounded by law enforcement on the interstate as of 11 p.m. The protesters were slowly being arrested, while the media are not being allowed to exit the interstate.
Here’s an arrest happening on I94. Police said all would be arrested and we expect that to happen #wcco #minneapolis pic.twitter.com/kzLqY5B6R8
— Jennifer Mayerle (@jennifermayerle) November 5, 2020
As protesters waited, an impromptu dance party broke out.
I’ve seen the Electric Slide at weddings and high school dances. But at a protest on an interstate as people await arrest? That’s new. @WCCO pic.twitter.com/KUyZtUyTJi
— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) November 5, 2020
The arrest effort is expected to last for hours, and it’s not clear if protesters will be brought to a detention center, or simply arrested and released.
Been out here now for about 3hrs now. Arrests still happening. Gentle applause from protesters each time people are taken away. @WCCO pic.twitter.com/pSEXkrzKSh
— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) November 5, 2020
Mayerle said the response from law enforcement is one that had been planned for weeks in the lead up to possible unrest stemming from the presidential election — which accounted for the swift response for several agencies.
Earlier this week, organizers said they were going to demonstrate regardless of the outcome of the election, using chants such as, “Don’t let Trump steal the election,” and, “A Biden win will not give the freedom we demand.”
Organizers said they want to see Biden win, but that it won’t immediately change the lives of oppressed people and all the issues they face.
On top of the election, the group said it’s fighting a trifecta of a pandemic, racism and the recession. There is also an underlying aspect of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
Organizers said they wanted to channel that energy they have had since late May through Wednesday night and beyond.
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