11 Plead Not Guilty in Black Lives Matter Mall of America Demonstration

EDINA (AP) - Eleven people charged following a large demonstration at the Mall of America last December pleaded not guilty as their supports jammed into the Hennepin County courthouse in Edina.

The eleven defendants, all dressed in black, entered the pleas Tuesday to a range of misdemeanors, including trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Other supporters sang and chanted outside the courthouse main entrance.

Mall officials and Bloomington police warned the Christmas-time demonstrators they would not approve a gathering inside the building and offered them an outdoor space to protest.

Officials say the "Black Lives Matter" demonstration drew several thousand people to the Mall of America. It was one of many demonstrations around the country following the high-profile deaths of black men at the hands of police officers.