Organizers expect hundreds at Mall of America protest during busy shopping day

But the judge denied the mall’s request for a broader order against Black Lives Matter Minneapolis that would require Facebook posts about the protest to be deleted and tweets sent out canceling the event.

A judge granted The Mall of America, the largest mall in the United States, a temporary restraining order against Black Lives Matter protesters late Tuesday, ahead of protests demanding the release of video of the Minneapolis police shooting of Jamar Clark, a 24-year-old black man, last month. Stores in the mall had to close, and dozens of people were arrested. To many, the activists are shedding light on a problem endemic to many interactions between African Americans and law enforcement; to others Black Lives Matter promotes violence or is even a “terrorist group”.

With the judge’s limited ruling, it’s unclear what additional steps the mall may take to curtail the protest. “… In addition to these lost sales, the more than 15,000 people employed by Mall of America and its tenants will be negatively affected by a [sic] the loss of sales at the mall, as numerous employees depend upon commissions, tips, or bonuses that will be reduced due to the demonstration”. Janisch said when it comes to trespass, the mall can regulate what happens in its physical premises, but not social media.

Organisers would not immediately reveal details of the demonstration, saying that they did not want to tip off police to their plans.

Gaertner repeatedly stressed at Monday’s hearing that the mall’s opposition to the Black Lives Matter protest is not about their message, but the venue and the protest’s potential for disrupting last-minute holiday shopping. Authorities say they won’t release it while investigations continue. After protesting for two weeks in front of Minneapolis Police Department’s 4th Precinct, Black Lives Matter activists were dispersed on December 3.

Bloomington police and mall officials declined to comment on Wednesday.

Kandace Montgomery, one of three organizers barred by the judge’s order, said the group isn’t deterred by the ban, the Associated Press reports.

Hundreds of activists showed up at the Mall of America on Wednesday afternoon, despite the presence of additional security and clearly posted messages that the protest was illegal. Local officers as well as 30 state patrol officials have been tapped to police the demonstration.

However, the judge said she could not grant an injunction against Black Lives Matter Minneapolis in general, as they were not a legally recognized entity. Although police have said Clark was actively resisting arrest as police intervened in an assault that he was allegedly involved in, activists say he was not resisting and was lying on the ground handcuffed when he was shot.