Black Lives Matter St. Paul is planning to shutdown the light-rail line in St. Paul before the Minnesota Vikings home opener on Sunday in Minneapolis.
On Facebook the group announced plans to interrupt light-rail service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the TCF Bank location at Lexington Parkway and University Avenue.
The group says it intends to show support for Marcus Abrams, a 17-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome, who was forcefully arrested by Metro Transit officers Aug. 31 at the Lexington Parkway station.
Organizer Rashad Turner wrote that it will be a “disciplined, peaceful, protest against this injustice and all police excessive force.”
The group asks people to come to the event to support Abrams “and all of the other children who live with autism and fight against injustices that continue to plague black women, men, and children.”
https://twitter.com/BlackLivesStP/status/644580009953243136
The game is scheduled to kickoff at noon, and thousands of Vikings fans ride the Green Line prior to and after Vikings home games.
According to the Pioneer Press, a Metro Transit spokesman says the agency has dealt with similar demonstrations and plans to ensure it can deliver the services riders expect on Sunday.
But if rail service is affect by the protest a spokesman notes there will be alternative routes available.
“While I’m not going to get into the details of what we’ll do, in the past when needed our bus service has been able to supplement and augment some of our train service,” Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla told MPR News.
Riders on Sunday can keep updated on Metro Transit service interruptions on the
https://twitter.com/BlackLivesStP/status/644580009953243136
” target=”_blank”>MetroTransitMN’s Twitter page. They also can sign up for email and text alerts at MetroTransit.org.
Padilla advises riders to keep tabs on the situation Sunday morning and allow some extra time for their trips.
