17 activists taken away in Super Bowl protest
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Metro Transit spokesman says 17 people were taken away after they blocked a light-rail line carrying Super Bowl ticketholders to the stadium.
Howie Padilla says no one was hurt in the protest, which blocked trains for about two hours ahead of Sunday's kickoff. Metro Transit had buses standing by to get ticketholders to the stadium in time.
The activists said they were protesting police brutality, as well as the light-rail trains being taken over by Super Bowl spectators rather than being available to ordinary citizens.
Padilla says Metro Transit doesn't expect the 17 activists to face charges. He says Metro Transit respects people's right to free speech and demonstration.