Protesters block I-35W in Minneapolis; arrests made

[question everything]

Source: StarTribune

A small group of protesters has blocked all southbound lanes of Interstate 35W at University Avenue in Minneapolis, the latest round of disruption in the wake of last week’s police killing of Philando Castile in Falcon Heights. Arrests were being made about 45 minutes into the demonstration.

About 40 to 50 demonstrators, accompanied by a handful of vehicles, took over the freeway around 7:50 a.m. during the peak of the morning rush hour. According to scanner reports, some were banging on driver’s windows and causing damage.

In a matter of minutes, southbound traffic on the main north-south highway in the state’s largest city came to a halt and started backing up for miles.


Read more: http://www.startribune.com/protesters-block-i-35w-in-minneapolis/386622281/

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Just as the Christie's minions blocked the George Washington Bridge. Never mind that people have to be at work, catch a flight, have a doctor appointment or a sick child.

[peace13]

1. Whatever you do stay out of Cleveland next week...

...especially with the sick child. Politics is going to back that place up like a sewer stuffed with toupees! I for one am happy to see people getting up and getting the message out! No worries!

[AngryAmish]

12. Is the convention next week? Puke.

Aren't these things done close to Labor Day?

[peace13]

15. Next week for the rThugs.

Dems...might be the last week of July.

[riversedge]

2. I-35 usually backs up for a mile or so each day...

but ?miles"!! uga uga. I had a 6 wk work project in Mpls during April and May of his year--so I know.


I think is it just dangerous to both the demonstrators and cars while many just suddenly have to step on the brakes. IMHO.

I have mixed feelings about this particular tactic.

[geardaddy]

3. That first picture shows the protesters on the replacement bridge of the one that collapsed

a few years ago.

[MineralMan]

4. WCCO Radio reported that they were handed a

press release. Apparently, the group calls itself "The Coalition to Wake Your Ass Up." From the radio news coverage, the group was all made up of non-POC folks, with the goal of "dismantling policing" according to their press release.

Anyhow, the police are about done arresting the protesters and towing off the cars they parked on the freeway to block traffic.

Imagined phone call from the local pokey: "Dad, could you send some money to pay my bail and the towing charges on my car?"

[romanic]

7. "The Coalition to Wake Your Ass Up."

That name sounds like something rich student activists came with up to play social justice. They sound looney tunes.

[question everything]

16. Wondered the same thing

Individuals who obviously do not have to be at work in the middle of the day. Like... students.

[AngryAmish]

13. This is Life of Brian level stuff

[MineralMan]

14. Yup. It's truly amazing.

I can't think of a better way to alienate people in the Twin Cities. A truly bad idea.

[LeftyMom]

19. I'm not sure about the two in the middle, but the red car is an early 90's Tercel

and the minivan is a mid-90's Honda Odyssey/Isuzu Oasis.

Neither one is worth the tow charges. Presumably that's why they're there.

[Firebrand Gary]

5. They should all be arrested and locked away...

What about the young single mother going into labor, trying to drive herself to the hospital? Or the older gentlemen in need of EMS due to his myocardial infarction? The house on fire waiting for firefighters to respond???

I'm 100% protest/free speech, but not done in away that puts lives at risk!

[840high]

6. ...!100++++

[christx30]

8. I went around and around with someone

about this last night, saying pretty much exactly this. The other posters didn't give a rip. This kind of support increases support for the police.

[LeftyMom]

20. EMS dispatches around traffic on bridges and highways all the time.

The daily commute grinds traffic to a halt for hours at a time twice a day. If you drive for a living you figure out your workarounds, and if you're in a major city bisected by bridges you don't take somebody in a medical emergency to a hospital on the far side of a river without making sure that traffic on the bridge is flowing smoothly.

Seriously, that's a fine emotional argument but it assumes that your average EMS driver has less brains than the average pizza delivery driver and no access to century old technology.

[Firebrand Gary]

21. Some people do not have the time to spare...

I would know.

[Bonx]

22. Family with sick child was stuck on bridge during rally

"We received a call there was a child needing medical attention stuck in traffic up on the bridge and due to the protest going on the bridge the family was not able to get through traffic to get him to Le Bonheur,” Harrell said.

A photo shows parents handing the child off to paramedics on the bridge.

"The sheriff's department had to escort us up the wrong way of the interstate to the child," he said.

Harrell said after he had the very sick child in the ambulance, the driver had to go 25 minutes out of the way.

"We had to turn around and come back to West Memphis and cross over at MLK to get over to 55."

http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/32421175/family-with-sick-child-was-stuck-on-bridge-during-rally?sf30814183=1

[Crowman1979]

9. I'm all for protesting at govt. buildings, police HQ, racist businesses, racist rallies, etc.

But this is just too hazardous. Especially if there are drivers with road rage.

[NaturalHigh]

10. Morons.

They have nothing important to so, so they assume that nobody on the bridge does either. Lock their asses up until they come to their senses.

[Skittles]

11. we'll stop people from getting to work, and get them on our side!

it defies logic

[christx30]

17. Because that's not the thinking.

It's more of a "if you're not with us, you're against us" thinking. And anyone that is against them deserves to sit in traffic because of their antics for disagreeing with them. It's not just activism. It's punishment.

[Skittles]

18. whatever it is, it is fucked up

they come across as children throwing tantrums instead of adults protesting serious, legitimate issues