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At the Midway Target in St Paul. Only a few cars and people. All pretty distanced. No one causing any problems. Heard a few folks may have take things but not seeing any evidence of that since I’ve been here. Hearing the store is closed now but a few cars still coming and going.
Officers stationed outside one set of doors in particular. Store is now closed but folks still driving up to shop here and there. Everything peaceful. Honking is the most anyone is doing. Signs up for justice for #GeorgeFloyd
Some effort already being made to block other entrances to control the traffic a bit.
Still really just people yelling or chanting for justice for #GeorgeFloyd. No violence or aggressive behavior that I’m seeing at all. No one entering or exiting the store.
Still really just people yelling or chanting for justice for #GeorgeFloyd. No violence or aggressive behavior that I’m seeing at all. No one entering or exiting the store.
Basically the only people even approaching police are doing so to confirm the store is closed. Parking lot maybe 30-40 percent full now. Was maybe 10-15 percent when I showed up.
All others are keeping their distance on the other side of the “road” of the parking lot.
All others are keeping their distance on the other side of the “road” of the parking lot.
People largely either pulling in and parking or circling calmly with signs like this one:
#JusticeForFloyd
#BlackLivesMatter
Probably half the people here are like me: just observing and calmly being present.
#JusticeForFloyd
#BlackLivesMatter
Probably half the people here are like me: just observing and calmly being present.
More officers coming now. Some blocking the other door that previously had only two bike officers.
Many many more officers now. Officially announcing for people to leave the parking lot.
“Ladies and gentlemen it is time to leave the parking lot” over the speaker.
“Ladies and gentlemen it is time to leave the parking lot” over the speaker.
The crowd size and sound might seem intense but truly no one is doing anything other than calmly standing in place at this point. SWAT truck looks to be here now.
Still about half the people purely observing. The other half standing at that line of trees. Sometimes chanting.
Still about half the people purely observing. The other half standing at that line of trees. Sometimes chanting.
Someone said someone may have thrown a rock and then the crowd backed up so they were so close. Can’t confirm. Didn’t see.
Both side entrances (Hamline/Pascal) are blocked so the only way in and out is the “back” near noodles/towards University.
Both side entrances (Hamline/Pascal) are blocked so the only way in and out is the “back” near noodles/towards University.
People making a makeshift barricade just in case.
Cannot emphasize enough how little is actually going on. People standing around. A few chant here and there. No escalation. If anything people have backed farther away from Target over time.
Cannot emphasize enough how little is actually going on. People standing around. A few chant here and there. No escalation. If anything people have backed farther away from Target over time.
FYI: When you forget to wear a mask as you rush out of you house, a sleeve works pretty well.
I believe the Police again are telling people to leave. Honestly pretty hard to make out the words even 40-50 feet away. Assuming most others can’t make it out either.
