Protest Diverts Light-Rail Traffic to Buses in St. Paul

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Protesters have shut down a light-rail line in St. Paul 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.

Reports say about 100 protesters gathered. After staging the die-in, the group walked to the Western District police station before returning.

Some counter-protesters stood nearby, prompting a confrontation that organizers defused.

Metro Transit used buses to replace Green Line trains in that area. The Green Line serves TCF Bank Stadium, where the Vikings are hosting Detroit,

A Metro Transmit spokesman says the incident that sparked the protest remains under investigation.