Black Lives Matter Cancels Protest at Crashed Ice Event

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Organizers for Black Lives Matter St. Paul have cancelled a planned protest at Saturday's Red Bull Crashed Ice event.

The group said Friday that it met with Mayor Chris Coleman and believes its demands have been addressed.

Coleman released a statement saying he respects the right of everyone to exercise free speech, but the protest would have created a volatile situation for the more than 100,000 expected spectators and protesters.

The group's demands included the firing of St. Paul police Sgt. Jeffrey Rothecker over a Facebook comment about running over protesters. Rothecker has since resigned, but the group had said previously that the protest would continue if other demands weren't met.