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Doualy Xaykaothao

Black Lives Matter demonstration blocks light rail in St. Paul

Stopping the trains
Near the Lexington light rail station in St. Paul, protesters with Black Lives Matters block traffic to and from TCF Bank Stadium before an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Richard Tsong-Taatarii | Star Tribune via AP

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Posted 5:15 a.m. | Updated 2:04 p.m.

Light rail service has resumed in St. Paul after protesters shut down the line before Sunday's Minnesota Vikings home opener.

Black Lives Matter St. Paul staged a die-in on the Green Line light rail tracks to protest what they consider excessive force by Metro Transit police officers who arrested a 17-year-old boy with autism there Aug. 31. The boy addressed the crowd, saying he doesn't like the police.

"I don't really like them around me. All this police stuff is making me feel uncomfortable," he said.

About 100 protesters gathered. Some counter-protesters stood nearby, prompting a confrontation that organizers defused.

Sharon Wiggins tried to take the light rail to the Vikings Game but couldn't get there for the kickoff because because protesters shut down parts of the Green Line for more than two hours.

"I don't agree with it at all," she said.

Metro Transit used buses to replace trains in that area. The Green Line serves TCF Bank Stadium, where the Vikings hosted Detroit.

Metro Transit says the incident remains under investigation. General manager Brian Lamb says the department is looking at additional training for officers to help them identify autism.