Bloomington authorities file charges against Black Lives Matter MOA protesters

[annm4peace]

Source: Local Fox News station

Despite efforts to persuade Bloomington officials in favor of a different course, criminal charges have been filed against Black Lives Matter protesters who shut down part of the Mall of America last month.

A press release distributed by the city of Bloomington says that 10 protesters "have been formally charged by the Bloomington City Attorney's Office with crimes related to the demonstration to include Unlawful Assembly, Public Nuisance and Disorderly Conduct." A total of 25 were arrested, and the release doesn't rule out that more charges could be forthcoming.

In the days following the demonstration, Bloomington City Attorney Sandra Johnson said she wants BLM organizers to pay for the overtime costs incurred by the Bloomington Police Department in its effort to control the protest. The complaint quantifies what she's talking about.

"The cost to taxpayer of [Bloomington] for the police overtime and additional police resources of other communities currently exceeds $25,000," it says. "The cost to the MOA for the additional security needed to maintain public safety during the demonstration currently exceeds $8,000."

Read more: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/27848919/bloomington-authorities-file-charges-against-black-lives-matter-moa-protesters

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“These charges are absurd. The implications of forcing protesters to pay for police presence they didn’t ask for sets a dangerous precedent that could potentially affect all citizens and negates the very rights afforded by the constitution to peacefully assemble,” Said Mica Grimm, one of the defendants.

“We will not let these charges silence us. Our message that Black Lives Matter is needed more than ever as just hours ago St. Paul police took the life of another black man under muddled circumstances. Every 28 hours a black person is killed by police or vigilantes.”
The gathering of 3000 from all walks of life was part of a national movement formed in the aftermath of the recent police murders of Black teenager Michael Brown, Black father of six and husband Eric Garner, and Black 12-year old Tamir Rice.

The charges come despite a letter from Congressman Keith Ellison urging Bloomington City Attorney not to press charges against organizers. Minneapolis City Council members Alondra Cano and Cam Gordon wrote letters supportive of the organizers as well.
A petition asking the Mall of America to ask charges not be filed has gathered over 40,000 signatures.

“It’s clear that the Bloomington City Attorney has chosen to pursue charges as a way of stifling public protest and the voices of those who care about justice,” Said Defendant, St. Thomas Law Professor and Civil Rights Attorney Nekima Levy-Pounds. “We renew our call for police accountability and an end to the worst in the country racial disparities right here in Minnesota with immediate systemic changes.”

According to the ACLU Minnesota has the highest racial disparities in policing anywhere in the country.

[Turbineguy]

1. never let doing the right thing

get in the way of crass commercialism.

[annm4peace]

2. incase you'd like to donate for legal funds

The powers that be are going to try and make this an example. To intimidate others from protesting at Malls.

We ARE going to fight this. if you to help here is a link
http://www.payitsquare.com/collect-page/56349

[Bjorn Against]

3. I don't think the Mall of America realizes the mistake they just made

There are a lot of us supporting the protesters and we are going to make sure that people are well aware of how much money the public paid for what they call private property. It is time to start challenging their tax breaks.

[annm4peace]

4. I wonder if they can find out

Last edited Thu Jan 15, 2015, 01:51 AM - Edit history (3)

how much was spent on the infiltrating cops and on the prosecution.

I'm glad there is a large group of citizens speaking out there

[Downwinder]

6. Bloomington have a Public Safety charge

for everybody passing through town on I-35W?

[annm4peace]

7. Whaaaaatt ?

I didn't even see that one.. it gets more and more outrageous...

[Downwinder]

10. It looks like they are charging out of town visitors for Public Safety.

Next thing you know, they will deploy license plate readers and send out a Public Safety tex to all out of town vehicles.

[annm4peace]

8. here is a case in CA, activites were also charged and arrest at Fresno mall

I know MN might have different Constitutional laws but maybe they will help MN's case.

I would think the there might be some similarities. in any case it established that in CA the malls are "Commons" and so has to allow free speech in the common area..aka the lobby area.

****


From the November 2000 Community Alliance Newsletter:

THE GAP 20: BACK TO FASHION FAIR

The Gap 20, who were arrested on May 6, at Fascist Fair in Fresno are going through court proceedings which are expected to lead to a trial later this year. They were arrested while protesting sweatshop labor practices at The Gap. During the events leading up to a trial, Gap 20 defendants have found out some interesting information: the police have acknowledged use of a confidential informant in the group (AKA a spy); the police and Fashion Fair officials collaborated on the arrests and they appear to have had a list of who to arrest; the defendants who were originally arrested for trespassing have now had those charges dropped and new ones filed - now they are accused of "intimidation" and "disruption" of businesses. The successful defense against these charges has important implications for the FREE SPEECH rights of anyone interested in exercising their Constitutional First Amendment Rights...

For the complete article go to:

http://www.fresnoalliance.com/home/november2000.htm

From the December 2000 Community Alliance Newsletter:

THE GAP 20 - FIGHTING FOR FREE SPEECH

On November 6 the GAP 20 filed a tort claim against the City of Fresno for the violation of civil rights that occurred when they were arrested for protesting against The GAP's use of sweatshop labor. A tort claim is the first step in filing a civil rights lawsuit which will seek damages and attempt to force the city not to engage in this type of activity in the future.

For the complete article go to:

http://www.fresnoalliance.com/home/december%202000.htm

[DeSwiss]

9. Whoops!

- Meandered outside the 'ol ''Free Speech Zone'' did we? Now we can't that. Now can we?

Freedom of speech was designed to be orderly and to not disturb or call attention to anyone or to what you're there complaining about. Or impede shopping. Especially not to impede shopping.

That's why the Patriots of this Proud Land waited until nightfall to toss that tea into the bay, so none of the tea shoppers would be inconvenienced.

Wearing the Indian outfits was just a fancy dress lark they decided on at the last minute......

K&R


“You are a slow learner, Winston."

[jtuck004]

11. A few hundred protesters could occupy their bathrooms for the next year.

Would make shopping trips very, very short.

There are ways to disorganize them.

[olddots]

12. the country looks like it wants to become 50 countries

Or thousands of gang states or clans .The Tea Thugs want thier fairy tale land of yore, bang bang old west or some TV make believe bullshit .

[lexington filly]

13. Something they'll understand could be done.

They don't get Black Lives Matter? I know they'd get Black Dollars Matter! And those in the region, could boycott Bloomington's malls and stores. Mall of America? They and this prosecutor represent the Fall of America to me. I'm too far away to boycott, but I can give Bloomington some bad PR with a sign on my car which would be seen in LX, I-64, I-75. Just a late night idea.......

[annm4peace]

14. Great response from a civil rights lawyer/professor charged

http://www.startribune.com/local/yourvoices/288864961.html

snip

Political Prosecutions as Retaliation

In the aftermath of the demonstration, the Bloomington City Attorney, Sandra Johnson, spoke to the media about wanting to “make an example” out of the protest organizers, and that she would not only bring criminal charges, but would seek “reparations” for the cost of overtime police and security. To the average person, Sandra Johnson’s misuse of prosecutorial discretion to “punish” protest organizers is disturbing, to say the least. Two days ago, she decided to charge ten “leaders” of the demonstration with misdemeanor counts ranging from disorderly conduct, to trespass, to public nuisance, and she is seeking tens of thousands of dollars in “reparations.” Much to my surprise, I was one of the ten people who were charged. Not only was I charged, despite being a civil rights lawyer, I was one of two people with the most charges, eight misdemeanor counts in fact. I can’t help but think that my outspokenness on issues such as police accountability and calls for reform played a role in Ms. Johnson’s decision to bring charges against me in an attempt to publicly humiliate me, to silence my voice, and to curb my advocacy for justice. Even my home address was included in the complaint, with no regard for the safety of my children and family in making such a public disclosure. This amounts to political persecution and is a gross misuse of prosecutorial discretion and a waste of taxpayer dollars. Thankfully, these intimidation tactics will not be effective in shutting down our movement. Our voices will only grow stronger in the process.
We are in a Metaphorical Jail

Although neither of the ten of us were charged physically went to jail for our alleged “crimes”, in many ways, it feels as though we are locked in a metaphorical jail for our willingness to stand up for justice and equality. I posit, the metaphorical ‘Bloomington Jail’ to which we have been sentenced is a microcosm of the condition of confinement in which African Americans are subjected to in the state of Minnesota and in many places around the country due to barriers at the intersections of race, criminal justice, and socio-economic status. We can’t breathe because of the persistence of racial inequality and oppression. We can’t breathe because of the constant denial of our basic human rights and human dignity. We can’t breathe when we are being told to just sit back and tolerate these deplorable conditions. We must decide that it is time to break free from our metaphorical Bloomington jail cells and demand equal justice and equal treatment under the law, just as Dr. King and others did during the Civil Rights Movement.