(en) US, Minnesota, Media, Protesters' chants of 'Black Lives Matter' echo at megamall; at least 20 arrested

First of May Anarchist Alliance M1 in Minnesota participated in the 3000 strong Black 
Lives Matter rally at the Mall of America last Sunday. Security, police and riot gear 
could not prevent this spirited and inspiring mobilization from shutting down massive 
sections of the largest mall in the United States. Workers from several shops joined the 
demonstration, as did many shoppers. ---- In the wake of this succesful action the Mall 
and local authorities are seeking damages from who they claim are the organizers. Defend 
Black Lives Matter Minneapolis! Defend Mass Direct Action & Economic Disruption! No 
Justice, No Peace! ---- Police arrest at least 20 demonstrators, CNN affiliate reports: 
Mall management asks organizers not to hold the protests on its private property. Hundreds 
chant, hold up their hands and lie down to play dead. -- M1

Media: Mall of America says it's the nation's largest

A choir of protests echoed through the country's quintessential megamall, when a few 
hundred demonstrators from Black Lives Matter raised their voices at the Mall of America.

They held the protest Saturday against the Bloomington, Minnesota, mall's wishes, and were 
met by police who made at least 20 arrests, CNN affiliate KARE reported.
"We are extremely disappointed that organizers of Black Lives Matter protest chose to 
ignore our stated policy and repeated reminders that political protests and demonstrations 
are not allowed on Mall of America property," AoM's said in a statement.
The mall bills itself as the nation's largest with more than 500 businesses. It is big 
enough to hold seven Yankee Stadiums, its management boasts.
It is home to an indoor roller coaster, the Sea Life Aquarium, and about a dozen more 
attractions, but on Saturday amusement was drowned out by echoes of "black lives matter" 
and "no justice, no peace."
Marchers raised their hands in the air and lay down to play dead -- simulating the deaths 
of young black men Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, of New York, in 
confrontations with police.
As protesters unfurled banners of "hands up, don't shoot," the mall answered with a video 
wall message in all caps reading:
"This demonstration is not authorized and is in clear violation of Mall of America policy. 
We expect all participants to disperse at this time. Those who continue to demonstrate 
will be subject to arrest."
Management shut down the stores on one side of the mall.
Officers called out to the crowd to leave, police spokesman Mark Stehlik told KARE. But 
officers seemed patient, giving protesters multiple chances to comply.
"They could have arrested me; they could have escorted me. They just asked me nicely to 
leave, and I did," said Michael McDowell, one of the protest organizers.
Police then arrested some who were less willing to leave on their own, KARE reported.
Prosecutors plan to throw the book at them.
"They knowingly broke the law. They were involved in a situation that was very potentially 
dangerous," city prosecutor Sandra Johnson said.