Protesters arrested for shutting down 10th Avenue Bridge [PHOTOS]

By Gregory Pratt Thu., Nov. 17 2011 at 8:44 PM

400 protesters marched across the 10th Ave Bridge, 11 were arrested

About 400 protesters marched on the 10th Avenue Bridge this evening, and 11 were arrested for refusing police orders to get out of the road.

The demonstration began at 19th Avenue and Washington near the University of Minnesota law school. Protesters chanted "We are the 99 percent!" as they marched across the bridge. The gathering was organized by ISAIAH, Minnesotans for a Fair Economy, and the SEIU African American Caucus to call for public infrastructure projects that can create jobs.

Once the group of demonstrators neared the end of the bridge, 11 protesters linked arms in the middle of the road, setting off a tense confrontation with the cops.

Sgt. Gary Nelson arrested protesters for being a "public nuisance"

Sergeant Gary Nelson of the Minneapolis Police Department confronted demonstrators, via bullhorn, with a warning that they needed to get off the bridge or be arrested.

Most of the marchers stepped onto the sidewalk but a group of 11 plopped onto the middle of the road, linked arms, and refused to budge as the other protesters stood off to the side chanting, "The whole world is watching!"

Minneapolis police arrested the demonstrators one by one, with two officers escorting each demonstrator off the bridge and into a paddy wagon. The protesters were charged with obstructing vehicular traffic and being a public nuisance, both misdemeanors.

Lyda Robb took a stand for social justice

Minnesotans for a Fair Economy City Director Donna Cassutt was one of the more notable arrestees on the bridge, along with Rev. Paul Slack, Chair of ISAIAH's Clergy Group, and Sunday Alabi, the president of Minnesota Neighborhoods Organizing for Change.

Others arrested included David Hoaglund, Laurie Stammer, Amity Foster, Eric Salminen, Brandon Nessen, Sanjay Tahthi, Valerie Ralstad, and Lyda Robb.

Robb joined the demonstration and the arrest line to protest the fact that the "system is inaccessible."

Laurie Stammer was arrested while shutting down the 10th Avenue Bridge

"This country is not working right," said Laurie Stammer, a union organizer with SEIU and a grandmother who said she's most upset about the "corporate takeover of America."

"If you don't stand up for what you believe in, you get what you deserve," Stammer said as she waited for police officers to handcuff her.

After the march ended, a group of demonstrators walked back to the University of Minnesota law school and headed over to the Government Plaza to meet up with Occupy protesters.

The group of about 100 marched down Washington Avenue with several squad cars trailing them. One police officer warned them to get onto the sidewalk but they ignored him, chanting "Whose streets? Our streets!" as cars honked their horns.

Tags:

10th Avenue Bridge, Amity Foster, Brandon Nessen, David Hoaglund, Donna Cassutt, Eric Salminen, ISAIAH, Laurie Stammer, Lyda Robb, Minneapolis Police, Minnesota Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, Occupy Wall Street, Paul Slack, Sanjay Tahthi, SEIU, Sergeant Gary Nelson, Sunday Alabi, Valerie Ralstad

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amiller92

Again, the Minneapolis police deserve commendation for apparently handling this calmly, rationally and without resort to violence. The contrast with the horrific use of force seen elsewhere is a credit to our community, our police department, and to our civic leaders.

Let's keep it up.

James Trainor

'public infrastructure jobs'

Yeah. And who's going to pay for that? The city currently is more than a little tight on cash on the moment.

Donkey Hotay

The U$A arrests peaceful democratic protesters ... just like Syria, Libya and Egypt !!

Stay the Course !!

Burkefamilypainting

God forbid someone says/does something about the thieves. Should be at the capitol though in my opinion. They let it happen and encourage it by making money off the scams. How do you have faith in a government that has no faith and obviously follows no rules. USA land of getting ahead on taking advantage of something. God damn this country was right on the money. Say or do something or its going to be a rough ride sheep. peace

Burkefamilypainting

Sommeone that says/does something about a problem. NOOOOOO That would be called "negative". Anything but that. VERY commendable people in my book. My opinion they should be at the capitol though. They are letting it happen and they get a cut. We ARE now a third world country. Just take a look around. If no one does anything, its going to be a rough ride.

Moosie7778

Idiots !!! Just wait and see what this DOESN'T get you !! Total fools !!

green23

Yeah, if we "defeat" the protesters, all of our problems will go away!

Remember when Republicans told us that criticising a sitting President was treason? I do.

"Shut the hell up!" seems to be the right-wing's first and last response to dissent, unless it is dissent against Democrats -- in which case, it is sublimely patriotic and only a traitor would find any fault with it.

I think the country has bigger problems than eleven people carrying out a protest that some wingnuts consider to be ineffective.

E K

Instead of arresting the protestors, they should be arresting those greedy fat cats that make so much money having Bill Ayers ghost write their biographies.

OWS MPLS

I'm surprised the police didn't mow them down with their squad cars. Sounds like something Sheriff Dick would order.

Research

These protest are against corporate greed and banking flaws. The only people I see getting hassled are police, protestors, and people having to take detours to get to their destination. The greedy thieves are watching this laughing.

Mn Voter

I hope no one died because any ambulance needed to divert to a different route.

I also noticed the SEIU woman said "the country is not working right" - yet her union backed Obama. The same Obama whose best friend Jon Corzine (d) former governor and CEO of Goldman Sachs, has looted 600,000,000 from small investors in MF Global.

I wonder if SEIU will back Obama again and if she will vote for Obama? mmmm

Zeroisanumber

Because the problem of corporate influence over government starts and ends with Barack Obama, right?

Maxine_maxon

Yes all of Us Will Vote For President Obama, you heard!!!

bill.e.goat

Anyone familiar with the 10th Avenue bridge knows that running parallel to it about 1000 feet away is the 35W interstate which is more than capable of carrying ambulances and any other emergency vehicle. I am pretty sure that was open yesterday.