In a protest they’re calling the #BlackFair, hundreds of #BlackLivesMatters activists are marching the main route to the Minnesota State Fair today and reassembling at the front gates, participating in a “die-in,” and in general doing their best to disrupt attendance.
In a flyer being distributed before the march, protesters issued a list of demands, such as body cameras on all police officers, community control of police officer hiring and firing, and “real representation of African American and other minorities at the State Fair.”
If you do happen to find yourself stuck in traffic, protesters suggest you use the time for self-reflection.
If you're upset #BlackFair is disrupting traffic, imagine how disruptive losing child/spouse/parent is. #BlackLivesMatter @BlackLivesMpls
— Callie Bush (@calliembush) August 29, 2015
Protests are supposed to be disruptive. If you're sitting in traffic, use this time to practice empathy. #BlackFair
— Tony Fly (@TonyFly) August 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/T_Ogunrinde/status/637713949048246272
A lot of the people upset about the #BlackFair being "disruptive" need to read more on protests. That's literally the whole point of protest
— Mark (@mypostdemise) August 29, 2015
Being more concerned with traffic than the injustices perpetrated against unarmed black people is why we need protests. #BlackFair
— PoliticalGroove (@PoliticalGroove) August 29, 2015
White folks like: this isn't the place, that ain't the place, that over there ain't the place. Guess what? This is the mf place. #BlackFair
— Ashley Fairbanks (@ziibiing) August 29, 2015
If you are stuck in traffic, this might be the reason why.
#BlackLivesMatter protesters lying down on the bridge. | LIVE AERIALS: http://t.co/R5VELbwG2R #BlackFair pic.twitter.com/arTkl3Q8I3
— WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) August 29, 2015
Young boy at protest. #BlackFair pic.twitter.com/uydAQFTtXu
— Kate Raddatz (@KateRaddatz) August 29, 2015
#BlackFair marchers take a seat in silence on the bridge. pic.twitter.com/k7STVA1ec3
— Stephen Montemayor (@smontemayor) August 29, 2015
Silence. #BlackFair pic.twitter.com/6E2alzlm4q
— Kate Raddatz (@KateRaddatz) August 29, 2015
Protesters began their march at Hamline Park.
White people with opinions about #blackfair: Try empathy this time. Listen to Black people. Understand that you're not the expert here.
— Jessica (@jes3ica) August 29, 2015
Protesters listen intently to organizers' message with messages of their own. #BlackFair #HamlinePark pic.twitter.com/vuBYMUquir
— Iris Pérez (@IrisPerezFOX9) August 29, 2015
Raeisha Williams, North Mpls, readies puppets for the march. "Who could hate a puppet? It calms things down." pic.twitter.com/Gx5MGMb4bo
— Stephen Montemayor (@smontemayor) August 29, 2015
Go time. #blackfair pic.twitter.com/eHLIB7v8Lz
— the american cool (@nicole_nrp) August 29, 2015
Black Lives Matter march to Minnesota State Fair underway. pic.twitter.com/UEiYPbQ1oz
— Al Schoch (@aschoch0226WCCO) August 29, 2015
#BlackFair hits the streets almost a thousand deep #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/O38mRZ2FeJ
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) August 29, 2015
#BlackFair march breaks from Snelling Ave and onto Como. | LIVE AERIALS: http://t.co/R5VELbwG2R pic.twitter.com/Qxf9mxSBSF
— WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) August 29, 2015
#BlackFair march takes exit off Snelling #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Mam15FIR0S
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) August 29, 2015
Front gate at @mnstatefair is in lockdown, fair goers gathering to watch. #BlackFair pic.twitter.com/ME2nDXODVw
— KSTP (@KSTP) August 29, 2015
Ironically, the same “racist” police force that was being protested was put to work escorting the marchers to and from the fair.
#BlackFair police escorts on bikes – thank you for protecting us! pic.twitter.com/oZfnfON46x
— E Goldthwaite Fries (@RevEmSays) August 29, 2015
Protesting: Needed. Chanting, "Pigs in a blanket, fry them like bacon," behind your police escort: Wrong. #BlackFair #BlackLivesMatter
— Kate-Madonna Hindes (@girlmeetsgeek) August 29, 2015
LOL check out that huge THUG worship sign! #blackFair still chanting "hands up" LIE: http://t.co/u8gMQDqWTf http://t.co/qtls8VMxsx
— ¡El Sooopèrr! ن c137 (@SooperMexican) August 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/ScottInSC/status/637699597331234816
#BlackFair #BlackLivesMatter
PROTESTS 24 Unarmed Blacks klled by cops but NOT 1000s killed by Blacks in #GangViolence pic.twitter.com/m7rjHX4lPh— CajunAsian (@RiflemansCreed) August 29, 2015
https://twitter.com/MoralsToFreedom/status/637714042795065344
Can’t wait:
The next action that Black Lives Matter St. Paul has planned is a rally outside the governor's mansion Tuesday. #BlackFair
— Nicole Norfleet (@nicolenorfleet) August 29, 2015
* * *
Sadly, we never doubted that it was real, but here’s video of the front line of marchers taunting the police escorting them with the chant, “Pigs in a blanket, fry ’em like bacon.”
https://twitter.com/AFRICANAMERICA1/status/637712512947896320
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