Mall of America stores are already closing in anticipation of a major Black Lives Matter protest
Roughly a dozen stores at the largest mall in the country — Minnesota's Mall of America — have already closed their gates in anticipation of a major Black Lives Matter protest, ABC News reports. While Wednesday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, Barnes and Noble and Starbucks are among the retailers who have chosen to cut their losses before the inevitable clashes with protesters begin.
The privately owned Mall of America has warned that any protesters who show up will be arrested; the mall also attempted, unsuccessfully, to file a restraining order against the entire Minneapolis chapter of Black Lives Matter.
Three organizers, including Kandace Montgomery, were in fact legally blocked from attending the event. "When you disrupt their flow of capital... they actually start paying attention. That's the only way that they'll hear us," Montgomery said. She still plans to show up for the demonstrations and says she expects at least 700 others to do the same.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Wednesday's protest aims to bring attention to Jamar Clark, 24, a black Minneapolis man who was killed under unclear circumstances during an encounter with the police. Last December, a similar protest in the Mall of America over alleged police brutality in New York and Ferguson, Missouri prompted the mall's temporary closing; dozens were arrested.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published