Mall of America seeks to deter 'Black Lives Matter' demonstration

[FJ1100mjk]

Not sure if this shouldn't be in the Non-FJ Jokes / Humor area, but put it here.

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/12/17/moa-black-lives-matter-protest

"violates mall policies ... They said demonstrators also could be banned from the mall for one year."

Oh my Gawd, I can't go to the mall, what am I going to do? !!!!!!!

[novaraptor]

Makes sense to me. Don't like something a public service does? Go disrupt a private business so you are more likely to get arrested and on tv. Then you can blame business for your bad behavior. Happy Holidays...

[Pat Conlon]

....last time I checked, private property owners still have rights...

However, that may change

[novaraptor]

Well, it does make some sense. If you are attending an event where looting might break out, where better to be than inside the shopping mall instead of in a parking lot..

[Mark Olson]

Well, it does make some sense. If you are attending an event where looting might break out, where better to be than inside the shopping mall instead of in a parking lot..

That's what I was thinking when I read the story...Chance to get some last minute x-mas gifts.

A couple of years back here in SAC CA . A group of Russians were stealing products from a best buy store by putting them in their baggy pants. The way the scam worked was the guy would buy one thing and load his pants up with electronic devices . When the alarm would go off on the door sensors , security would just wave them through because they had just bought something and the check out person must have missed clearing the code on the sensor. Granted they did this when store was very busy.
They got too bold and the stuff was hanging out of the pants so they busted a bunch of them and started checking every Russian man leaving the store and checking over the receipt....profiling ...

So A bunch of people got pissed off at being singled out and they staged a protest in front of the store with about 100 Russians.

Like a starting shot at the predetermined time of a flash mob they stormed the store and did a flash rob . Overwhelming security and workers and pushing them down and punching in the face . They got away with thousands in merchandise and the cops didn't arrive until it was over . A very small number of arrests followed shortly after with no leads on the mastermind.

This barely made the evening local news and never saw national headlines.


 

[pdxfj]

A friend once gave the perfect explanation for protests (and others like this)...

Their message is so weak that they must do everything they can to draw attention to themselves, otherwise no one would pay attention to them.

As far as the above mentioned protest.. my first thought was "perfect opportunity for looting".

[FJ1100mjk]

241 years ago, a public protest http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party was a catalyst for some (maybe a lot) of the freedoms we enjoy today. Such as: the right of the people peaceably to assemble. Can't really say that the Boston Tea Party was a peaceable assembly though.

I wonder if any of the participants or bystanders at the Boston Tea Party, pilfered some of that tea before the crates of it were dumped overboard?

[wildfire]

Its a sad world when anyone thinks that protesting is wrong.

[Pat Conlon]

You can protest all you want, just not on my private property....that's my right.

[Bminder]

Its a sad world when anyone thinks that protesting is wrong.

Then invite them to protest in your yard.

[andyoutandabout]

There's been some great protests in the past that have achieved huge results - I'm thinking of Ghandi and his marches and hunger strikes and the noncooperation with the Brits.
Of course the Boston tea party, although much lovely tea was lost and that really won't do.
Fast forward to modern day protests that tend not to be so peaceful as a small Indian would like and where damage isn't restricted to a few choice blends.
Nope - I'm siding with those corporate bastards Mall Of America on this one. The events of Ferguson etc, etc, etc where thugs run riot disgusts me far more than greedy companies could ever. As they were smashing up Ferguson chanting burn it down, I thought you'll never win against that mentality. Let them smash it then let them live in it and if they want it fixed, let them pay for it.

[pdxfj]

I could really give a rats ass if people want to protest or not.  What "protesting" has turned into now and days is usually nothing more than a reason to riot, cause chaos, disrupt people's lives, damage property, etc.

If you want to hold a peaceful protest be my guest.. If your protest includes property damage, blocking streets and interstates, rioting, looting, etc just because you can and feel it's within your "freedom" to do so, then as far as I'm concerned you can go eat shit and die.

Living in one of the most protest happy cities in the U.S. has made it so I really don't care WTF they do.  I will care if you try and bring that protest onto my private property. Thankfully I live far enough away from downtown to where it would have to be a protest of biblical proportions to reach my house.

I'm sure if Mall of America does something to try and prevent protesters from entering the mall, the lawsuits will fly on violation of constitutional rights, etc.  Regardless of it being private property.

[Pat Conlon]

I'm sure if Mall of America does something to try and prevent protesters from entering the mall, the lawsuits will fly on violation of constitutional rights, etc.  Regardless of it being private property.

....and if they do allow the protesters to enter their private property, and things get out of hand (and they will) they will face lawsuits from their tenants and respective insurance companies.

[Bminder]

Many of the 'protests' I've seen on the news over the years, like at Ferguson, South LA, etc, are nothing more than excuses to loot stores.

[FJ1100mjk]

Only 25 arrested, AND no looting.

"Largely peaceful, highly organized"

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/12/20/moa-blacklivesmatter-protest

"This demonstration is not authorized"

"Hands up! Don't shoot!"

"I can't breathe"

"Black lives they matter. It's time to let them know. Injustice anywhere is injustice for us all. Oh, oh, oh!"

"While you're on your shopping spree, / Black people cannot breathe"

"Put your hands up"

"No justice, no peace. / Prosecute the police"

"a final warning, saying the demonstration must end or protesters could be arrested"

"Organizers sent a text message to protesters, congratulating them and asking them to move out of the building."

"Some nearby shoppers cheered."