From Unicorn Riot
Thousands stormed Interstate 94 in Minneapolis, protesting Donald Trump, the new President-elect, on Thursday night, effectively halting traffic in both directions for several hours.
This action came a day after Unicorn Riot was in St. Paul, where we were live throughout the evening documenting the more than five hour march that took place starting at the State Capitol building.
As anti-Trump protests continued to sweep through the nation’s streets for a third night in a row on Thursday, Unicorn Riot was livestreaming during both the Minneapolis and Denver protests that shut down major interstates.
In Minneapolis, the protest began as a rally on the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities campus. After a myriad of speakers finished, throngs of protesters took to the streets, marching down Cedar and Franklin avenues.
The march paused at the G.O.P. headquarters, located in the heart of the ‘liberal’ Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis and speeches were made. “F— Trump” graffiti was added in large letters to the outer brick wall of the building that holds G.O.P.’s headquarters.
From there, protesters marched down Riverside Avenue, where hundreds, maybe thousands, streamed onto the on-ramp for Interstate 94, effectively shutting down one of the main interstates in Minnesota for several hours.
Dozens of yellow- and orange-vested marshals were present, at least some of whom had never before served as a parade marshal. Most were faced towards the protesters yelling for them to stay in line and follow their orders for acceptable marching.
Minneapolis police officers, led by Deputy Chief Arneson, provided “safety” for the march route by blocking traffic and consistently communicating with the police liaisons utilized by the protesters.
While at least seven Minneapolis Police vehicles were leading the march, only two State Troopers were stationed at most entrances to the Interstate. In a metro that has seen five shut-downs of the interstate by protesters in the last two years, the State Troopers, who have commanding jurisdiction over the interstate, usually amass themselves in a heavier presence.
Shortly after the protesters took over the interstate, a motorist drove his truck into the crowd, hitting some people (video below). State Troopers stood idly by and, when confronted by the crowd, a Trooper standing a hundred yards away from the scene of the incident told them to “bring the girl here“, referring to a youth that was hit by the truck. The youth hit by the truck was okay and did not need medical attention that we know of.
As time elapsed, a stand-off ensued near the Cedar Avenue exit, where a large assortment of law enforcement officers took positions on the interstate not allowing protestors to continue.
The officers ranged in departments from University of Minnesota Police, who provided officers on the front-line of the stand-off, to MN State Troopers, as well as Minneapolis, Anoka, and Fridley Police. Despite this heavy law enforcement presence, including police in riot gear and canine units, the police seemed reluctant to arrest anyone.
This protest was organized, co-hosted, and endorsed by a large assortment of local ‘progressive’ groups. Spokespeople from some of these groups communicated with the marshals to make sure that protesters stayed inside the box that organizers were attempting to force people into, in efforts to “ensure everybody’s safety“. When people ventured outside of the box, marshals and some of the spokespeople quickly took efforts to herd them back behind the banners, truck, or the line of vested marshals.
After a couple hours of taking space and chanting, including a “Water is Life” chant in solidarity with #NoDAPL water protectors (see below), protesters voluntarily left the interstate and returned to the UMN campus.
No arrests were made while on the interstate. As folks made their way back to the starting location of the march, Unicorn Riot interviewed some participants and community members.