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102 people were arrested after fans took to the streets in an impromptu protest march after a Rage Against the Machine concert in Minneapolis Wednesday night.
Before letting out the concert, fans were asked to stay peaceful and to remain above the tactics of the police but were told that they didn't have to be passive.
Thousands poured out of the Target Center and were met by dozens of police on their bikes and in riot gear but the crowd thinned to a few hundred after a relatively short time. The remainder gathered on First Avenue, stopped traffic and began to chant, "Who's streets? Our streets!"
The protesters began to march up and down First Avenue. Three young men held up a banner they made out of four American flags. As the crowd headed down Seventh Street, with these men leading the way, they were met by a blockade of officers.
After engaging in a standoff for approximately a half hour, an officer got on a megaphone and announced that the protesters were free to head south on First Avenue. The crowd, heeding advice of not having to remain passive, refused and again began to chant, "Who's streets? Our streets!"
Dozens upon dozens of officers started to arrive behind the blockade and began to put on their gas masks.
Journalists followed suit and the smell of vinegar became thick in the air.
Zack de la Rocha, Rage Against the Machine front man, and some crew were hanging out behind a fence next to the Target Center, watching the situation intensely. As the police disbanded their blockade and allowed protesters to continue down the street, la Rocha began to sing the Star Spangled Banner with great enthusiasm. The crew joined in.
This victory, however, was short lived.
What happened next isn't crystal clear to this reporter but it appeared that police allowed the protesters to continue their march only to later to block them in.
A circle of the perimeter confirmed this and there were reports that the crowd was gassed while being surrounded.
After the situation died down, a young man emerged from a sea of police cars. When questioned, he said that he was asked if he wanted to be arrested. He replied with a no and was released.
He quickly left the scene and answered no more questions.
© 2008 Ben Pecka All rights reserved .
