Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota on Saturday, forcing parts of the building to close and ignoring the mall's warnings that the protest could result in arrests.
At the height of holiday shopping season, similar demonstrations were planned at malls across the country Saturday, including Philadelphia's King of Prussia Mall and shopping centers in Cleveland, Atlanta and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The events are part of the protests that have swept the nation in response to a spate of police killings of unarmed black males.
At the Mall of America, protesters staged a die-in on the rotunda and chanted slogans such as "Black lives matter" and "No justice, no peace" as shoppers watched from the floors above.
The protest prompted the mall to lock down certain portions of the building. After a final warning about half an hour into the protest, police in riot gear began clearing the rotunda, according to The Associated Press.
While most of the crowd dispersed at that point, some moved on to the second and third stories and continued to protest. About an hour later, organizers sent out a group text message to those still in the mall telling them to leave.
There were no immediate reports of arrests made.
"We're trying to show people that this isn't going to be the same Christmas for a lot of families because they've lost loved ones," protest organizer Mica Grimm told local NBC-affiliate KARE.
Another group of protestors entering the main corridor chanting"hands up don't shoot" #blacklivesmatter https://t.co/A3Uc9OxXR7— John Croman (@JohnCroman) December 20, 2014
People fill Mall of America rotunda for #BlackLivesMatter protest. http://t.co/iaCni30hPn #MOA pic.twitter.com/Ydi6f9g58o— Star Tribune (@StarTribune) December 20, 2014
You can't see the rotunda floor @mallofamerica. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/fhrZboctNA— Adrienne Broaddus (@abroaddus) December 20, 2014
A message announced on the mall's loudspeaker and displayed on a large TV screen warned demonstrators that the mall is private property and that those who stayed could be arrested. The mall also kept dozens of police officers in riot gear on hand throughout the protest.
#BlackLivesMatter mallofamerica pic.twitter.com/QhTECtgfmS— Dan McGrath (@danmcgrath1) December 20, 2014
@OmfgBreh There is an unauthorized protest occurring. For the safety of our guests' we ask that you follow our officers' orders. Thank you.— Mall of America (@mallofamerica) December 20, 2014
#moa #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/oVoG8bWOM0— Heidi (@laflaneuse) December 20, 2014
At King of Prussia Mall near Philadelphia, police were also on hand Saturday afternoon as protesters staged a die-in on the mall's ground floor. According to local reports, only a few dozen turned out for the demonstration.
Protesters also staged another die-in at a mall in the Pennsylvania city of Lancaster.
Protestors take over KoP Mall. Live report at 7pm @6abc RT “@6abcmike: First "die-in" at King of Prussia mall pic.twitter.com/k7Gh53sFyV”— Kenneth Moton (@KennethMoton) December 20, 2014
Mounties, Montg. County major response unit and numerous other police agencies on standby at King of Prussia mall for possible "die-in"— Mike Nik (@6abcmike) December 20, 2014
A few dozen protesters take over the food court at King of Prussia mall, getting ready to stage die-in #phillydiein pic.twitter.com/9uN9naqvrN— Matt Rivers (@MattRiversCBS3) December 20, 2014
Shoppers eat as Park City die-in unfolds. No arrests. No hassles. Organizers are pleased. About 90 on the floor. pic.twitter.com/0awSCViOdW— Jeff Hawkes (@byJeffHawkes) December 20, 2014
In Cleveland, protesters blocked off the entrances of a Walmart, causing the store to close for a short time. The protesters gathered at Cudell Recreation Center, the park where 12-year-old Tamir Rice was killed by a Cleveland Police officer while holding an air gun, before marching to the Walmart, according to Northeastern Ohio Media Group.
The crowd, which included Rice's older brother Tavon, surrounded Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams outside of the store, Northeastern Ohio Media Group reported. Williams addressed the crowd and told Tavon that he was just there to "make sure you guys are safe today."
"Who are we? JOHN CRAWFORD! Who are We? JOHNCRAWFORD!" Cleveland Walmart #ShutItDown #DCFerguson #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/tmm6LoXalJ— Chuck_MODI (@POPSspotSports) December 20, 2014
Protesters yelling at Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams in Steelyard Commons #CLEprotests pic.twitter.com/yeLmlJ9GYA— Adam Ferrise (@AdamFerrise) December 20, 2014
A group of protesters in Atlanta shut down a major intersection near Lenox Mall by chaining together in a circle. The intersection was reportedly blocked for 95 minutes before local police and firefighters broke through the chains and protesters were arrested.
WOW!!!!!!!! This is really happening right now at Lenox Mall in Atlanta, GA! Every inter... http://t.co/Bu5VqBTcY1 pic.twitter.com/LBP2ltNaPr— ICantBreathe (@I_Cant_Breathe_) December 20, 2014
Here's the last of the protesters in lockboxes, now off the street. #ShutItDownAtl #BlackChristmas pic.twitter.com/SwbHewXEJK— Max Blau (@MaxBlau) December 20, 2014
Protesters heading to Atlanta City Jail to rally once final arrested protesters are in paddy wagon. #ShutItDownAtl pic.twitter.com/MeZv5ItqdL— Max Blau (@MaxBlau) December 20, 2014
Shoppers eat as Park City die-in unfolds. No arrests. No hassles. Organizers are pleased. About 90 on the floor. pic.twitter.com/0awSCViOdW— Jeff Hawkes (@byJeffHawkes) December 20, 2014