MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - 41 protestors are facing public nuisance charges for blocking traffic on I-35W southbound near the University Avenue exit in Minneapolis Wednesday morning.
Multiple agencies including the Minnesota State Patrol, Hennepin County Sheriff's deputies and University of Minnesota police responded to the area around 8 a.m. Four vehicles used to block traffic were towed away, and the freeway was reopened to traffic by 9:15 a.m.
"The State Patrol supports the right to exercise one's First Amendment rights, but the freeway is not the place to do so," said Col. Matt Langer, Minnesota State Patrol Chief. "The closure of an interstate freeway for the purposes of a demonstration is unacceptable. They are used by everyone and are an artery for emergency vehicles. It is illegal to walk on the freeway and blocking traffic is dangerous for both pedestrians and motorists."
All 41 protestors were booked into the Hennepin County Jail and have been charged with public nuisance misdemeanors.
I-35W protesters release statement
The group of protesters is calling itself the Coalition to Wake Your Ass Up -- "non-Black people committed to highlighting the voices of Black organizers." They handed out a press release with the following statement that reads, in part:
Protest at Star Tribune
Protesters also gathered inside the Star Tribune building Wednesday morning in objection to the newspaper's coverage of the Philando Castile shooting.
Timeline of Philando Castile shooting
JULY 6, 9 PM - Officer-involved shooting in Falcon Heights, Facebook video shows aftermath
TRANSCRIPT - What Diamond Reynolds and Officer Jeronimo Yanez said in Facebook video
JULY 7, 5:30 PM - Thousands gather outside St. Paul school to pay respect to Philando Castile
JULY 7 - Students remember Castile as 'Mr. Phil'
JULY 7, 10 AM - Governor: 'Justice will be served in Minnesota'
IN-DEPTH - Minnesota's permit to carry law and how it applies to Philando Castile
JULY 7, 9:50 PM - Police officers identified in fatal shooting of Philando Castile
JULY 8, 10:30 AM - Prosecutor considering grand jury in Philando Castile shooting
JULY 9, 8 PM - Protest shuts down Interstate 94 in St. Paul
JULY 12, 10 AM - Castile family lawyer, Glenda Hatchett: 'There will be a lawsuit'