Minneapolis anti-Trump march: No arrests made by police, as rally wraps up
Demonstrators are converging on downtown Minneapolis Friday afternoon to protest President Donald Trump.
At least three different groups of protesters representing different causes are marching through the city, with plans to head to Minneapolis City Hall at 5 p.m.
The independent news organization Unicorn Riot is live streaming the Black Snake Resistance March, which is being done in solidarity with the Standing Rock movement in North Dakota. Resist From Day One movement and students from the University of Minnesota and Augsburg College are also part of Friday's protests.
Here's the latest.
6:30 p.m. – Protest seems to be done
No arrests were made by the Minneapolis Police Department during Friday's marches in Minneapolis.
The PD tweeted things had wrapped up a little before 6:30 p.m. Light rail trains are also running normally again after some slow downs, Metro Transit says.
Facebook user Miguel Otárola took live video and posted it, if you want a look at the rally at the Government Center.
Anti-Trump march reaches downtown Minneapolis
Posted by Miguel Otárola on Friday, January 20, 2017
5:57 p.m. – Damage to property report
There's a report of damage associated with the protest. Police said a sign and cellphone at Wells Fargo were damaged. Nobody was injured, and they're taking a report.
5:52 p.m. – Small group heading back
Minneapolis police said the small group that broke off was being "monitored," noting they were responsible for those smoke devices.
Though shortly after, that group turned around and was heading back to the Government Center where the main crowd is, according to @WassonisAwesome and Minneapolis PD.
Police are still keeping an eye on them however.
5:29 p.m. – 'Smoke devices' set off
Minneapolis PD tweeted a few "smoke devices" were set off on the light rail tracks. They're monitoring the people who did it.
Meanwhile Twitter user @WassonisAwesome says a small group has split off from the main protest, and traveled down the light rail tracks toward U.S. Bank Stadium. They were also throwing fireworks outside the jail, but moved on down Park Avenue once police arrived.
5:05 p.m. – Maybe 2,000 people, ambulance let through
Minneapolis police are now estimating the march to be closer to 2,000 people, as they enter Government Center plaza.
3rd Avenue is closed from 4th St. to 7th St., in both directions, because of the march. Metro Transit light rail trains are still running though.
And earlier, the crowd moved out of the way to let an ambulance on an emergency call get through.
4:30 p.m. – Delays expected downtown
Minneapolis police are warning that as protesters head to City Hall (they're near the Minneapolis Convention Center now) there could be delays, so avoid the area if you can.
4:20 p.m. – Now about 2,000 protesters
Star Tribune reporter Randy Furst tweeted that there are now about 2,000 protesters.
At 3:30 p.m., the Minneapolis Police Department had estimated about 1,000 protesters in the group.
4 p.m. – Protesters on the move
Protesters, who are chanting "We reject the president elect," are on the move, making their way from Franklin Avenue and Nicollet Avenue towards downtown Minneapolis.
3:55 p.m. – Protesters burned a Trump effigy
They also have President Trump's head on a spike.
3:45 p.m. – Protesters blocking the road
The Minneapolis Police Department tweeted that protesters are blocking the intersection of Nicollet Avenue and Franklin Avenue, noting officers are closing roads to keep people safe.
There are about 1,000 protesters in the combined group, the Minneapolis Police Department tweeted.
Stay with GoMN as we update this story with the latest on the protests.
