A “die-in” protest greeted Democratic Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar yesterday in St. Paul, Minnesota, at an event marking Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Other notable politicians present include Governor Mark Dayton and Rep. Keith Ellison.
Local photographer Ben Garvin posted a picture of the protest on Twitter:
die-in as @amyklobuchar speaks at MLK event at Macalester pic.twitter.com/vSvO03mb4o
— bengarvin (@bengarvin) January 19, 2015
The protest was directed not only at politicians but police as well. WCCO reports:
A number of protesters staged a “die-in” at the state’s official event honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy to demand changes to police practices.
The protesters also joined hands and held signs bearing messages such as “White Silence = Violence” as politicians such as Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Keith Ellison, and Sen. Al Franken addressed the crowd at Macalester College Monday morning.
Meanwhile, hundreds of students, community members and lawmakers took the streets to march to remember King and his efforts in the fight for civil rights. People of all ages and races came together to honor leader of the civil rights movement, his legacy and his life.
Snelling Avenue was filled with their singing voices as they recited some of the same words that motivated activists during the movement.
The protesters also joined hands and held signs bearing messages such as “White Silence = Violence” as politicians such as Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Keith Ellison, and Sen. Al Franken addressed the crowd at Macalester College Monday morning.
Meanwhile, hundreds of students, community members and lawmakers took the streets to march to remember King and his efforts in the fight for civil rights. People of all ages and races came together to honor leader of the civil rights movement, his legacy and his life.
Snelling Avenue was filled with their singing voices as they recited some of the same words that motivated activists during the movement.
Arguably the three best known politicians in Minnesota gave speeches commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day today at Macalester College.
But their remarks were upstaged by Black Lives Matter protesters who staged a “die in” during the event.
A short time later, Black Lives Matter published a statement about the “silent protest” on the group’s Facebook page. The statement asks “the leadership of the state” to “take immediate action to institute meaningful, systemic policy solutions to address the worst racial disparities in the country.”
“These racial disparities exist in every indicator of standards of living in our state including housing, employment, education, health, and policing,” it continues.
In particular, Black Lives Matter puts Gov. Dayton on blast.
“Every year Governor Dayton speaks on the legacy of Dr. King, yet has refused to comment on the racial inequities that continue to tear communities of color apart,” the statement says. “His silence will leave a black mark on his legacy and only serves to trivialize the legacy of Dr. King.”
But their remarks were upstaged by Black Lives Matter protesters who staged a “die in” during the event.
A short time later, Black Lives Matter published a statement about the “silent protest” on the group’s Facebook page. The statement asks “the leadership of the state” to “take immediate action to institute meaningful, systemic policy solutions to address the worst racial disparities in the country.”
“These racial disparities exist in every indicator of standards of living in our state including housing, employment, education, health, and policing,” it continues.
In particular, Black Lives Matter puts Gov. Dayton on blast.
“Every year Governor Dayton speaks on the legacy of Dr. King, yet has refused to comment on the racial inequities that continue to tear communities of color apart,” the statement says. “His silence will leave a black mark on his legacy and only serves to trivialize the legacy of Dr. King.”
