Protest diverts light-rail traffic to buses in St. Paul

Published 9:42 am Monday, September 21, 2015

ST. PAUL — 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.

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

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