Occupy Minnesota protesters showed their wounds and vented their anger Monday over what they say was a police “ambush” of a peaceful Easter eve protest. They are asking Minneapolis Mayor R.T Rybak to order police to stand down. The Mayor has agreed to meet with them Tuesday at 1pm.
Saturday night, police arrested 12 activists and detained them until 4 a.m. The arrest happened after the occupiers left downtown Peavey Plaza with their tents in tow. This video released by Occupy MN shows the police using horses to tame the crowd and pinning demonstrators to the sidewalk. During the arrests, a KSTP cameraman was assaulted by an officer. The Occupy activists had chosen April 7 to set up a presence in Loring Park and Peavey Plaza because that was the six-month anniversary of their encampment in front of City Hall.
“The attack was completely uncalled for and unnecessary, and I think Mayor Rybak needs to order his police to stand down and let us have our constitutional rights,” said Occupy activist Sam Richards, who was among the dozen arrested.
via Minneapolis Mayor, Occupy To Discuss Police “Ambush” And Arrests | The UpTake.