Judge Dismisses Charges Against Mall Protest Organizers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Minnesota judge has dismissed charges against organizers of a Black Lives Matter protest that drew thousands of demonstrators to the Mall of America.

The protest last December disrupted Christmas shopping at the privately owned venue. But Hennepin County Chief Judge Peter Cahill ruled that it was peaceful and "not subversive."

Reports say Cahill on Tuesday dismissed all charges against the 11 organizers. He left in place trespass charges against some individual participants.

One of the organizers, University of St. Thomas law professor Nekima Levy-Pounds, says the group stands "vindicated."

The rally was part of protests nationwide after officers weren't charged in the deaths of unarmed black men in Missouri and New York.

A call to the Bloomington city attorney for comment was not immediately returned Tuesday.