March takes on MOA

Protest planned as 36 people arrested last year go to court

Max Kent

Public unrest arose in Minneapolis December 20, 2014, as Bloomington police arrested 36 people during a rally at the Mall of America for the organization Black Lives Matter Minneapolis.

More than four months later, the organization will once again march at the mall for those they say were wrongly arrested.

The 36 protesters who were a part of the rally will go to the Hennepin County District Court May 1, on charges from city of Bloomington ranging from unlawful assembly and public nuisance to trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Michael McDowell, public relations supervisor of Black Lives Matter Minneapolis, said the organization expects around 5,000 protesters to march at the Mall of America May 1 in anticipation of the court rulings on those arrested.

This march, along with the other protests, was organized as a way to build our voice, and to speak out about the injustices that are not just happening in our city but around the nation

— Michael McDowell

“We have built up a lot of hype and energy for this event after all of the recent events going on around the country, and we hope, for the sake of those who are arrested, and the community as a whole, that this march has an effect on the court’s decision,” McDowell said.

McDowell, who has been a part of the organization since February 2014, said in light of nationally recognized cases surrounding police brutality, the march at the MOA represents a deeper sentiment felt across the country.

“This march, along with the other protests, was organized as a way to build our voice, and to speak out about the injustices that are not just happening in our city but around the nation,” McDowell said. “There are a lot of protests taking place right now, and we feel it is our job to continue to expose people to this situation.”

Arika Mareck, advisor for Student Outreach Against Racism club (SOAR), said she feels the march, along with other forms of protest, are an effective way for students to voice their emotions about the issue.

“I think people are hurting right now, and however people want to heal is fine as long as it’s not hurting anyone, whether that’s through protest or not,” Mareck said.

Mareck said despite participation in these protests, people’s actions in their everyday lives do more to mitigate the problem.

“If people think they can make an impact by protesting in this way they should take a part in it,” Mareck said. “But it’s not about if you do or don’t go to a protest, but how you show up in your everyday life. For me, I try to interrupt racism everyday.”

Junior Kirsten Olness said she believes the march should be placed somewhere where more impact can be done.

“I support of the Black Lives matter movement, however, I think it would be more beneficial for them to protest at the courts, where those that can hear them are those that can make a change,” Olness said.

According to McDowell, these demonstrations are organized in order to raise the public’s awareness of a growing movement long ingrained in our society.

“Our mission is to make it clear to the public that there are those in our society without a voice. And since the independence of our country, there has been a social inequality, and it needs to be exposed and defeated,” McDowell said.

The march will begin 8:30 a.m. Friday May 1 outside the Hennepin County Building, and will end at the Mall of America.