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VIDEO: Occupy Mankato march

Protesters March on Riverfront from Mankato Free Press on Vimeo.

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  • Occupy Mankato marchers shout as they pass by Rep. Tim Walz's office along Broad Street during a May Day march Tuesday. Pat Christman

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  • Occupy Mankato protesters took a zigzag route, starting on Riverfront Drive but then heading into downtown. Pat Christman

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  • Occupy Mankato marchers make their way down Riverfront Drive Tuesday. Pat Christman

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  • Mankato Public Safety Director Todd Miller talks with an Occupy Mankato protester before Tuesday's march down Riverfront Drive. Pat Christman

    Occupy march2.jpg

May 2, 2012

Occupy marchers wander through downtown (video)

By Robb Murray Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — An Occupy Mankato representative hinted that some protesters might have no qualms about doing something to get arrested.

And the police were there in force just in case they needed to oblige.

But in the end, it was a peaceful march.

Occupy Mankato, the local corner of the broader Occupy movement that has resulted in sit-ins, protests, arrests, debates and discussions since its birth last year, took to the streets of Mankato Tuesday to bring attention on May Day to the notion of workers rights.

The day was also a launching point for Occupy groups around the country. While they’ve been somewhat dormant during the winter months, local Occupy members say they and groups around the country are planning to make more noise this summer than last.

Tuesday’s march was just the start.

Originally, police expected the group to head down Riverfront Drive. But the route didn’t go as the group hinted.

Actually, the group’s first attempts to organize the event involved a formal parade application through the city. But when they and police couldn’t agree on a route, Occupy Mankato withdrew its application and planned to do the march anyway without a permit.

Had they gone through the process and paid for the off-duty officers recommended by police — at a cost of more than $350 — they probably would have had just the three officers. As it turned out, a lot more police showed up.

In Riverfront Park, they were met by Todd Miller, director of Mankato’s Department of Public Safety, and Matt Westermayer, deputy director.

On the route, there were multiple cars. Cameron Kennedy, one of the group’s leaders, said he counted six marked and two unmarked cars.

So when the group took off, instead of heading down Riverfront straight to Sibley, they zigzagged through town. They headed past the offices of Congressman Tim Walz and shouted “Shame on Walz!” They passed the Wells Fargo building and yelled, “Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!”

And after heading past the Post Office, hanging a right at Earl Johnson Furniture and a left at Pub 500, they went down Front Street for a few blocks before hanging another right to hook up again with Riverfront. Then they headed toward Sibley and past West High School.

It was speculated that they’d try to hit West at dismissal time, and that they’d hope for an infusion of young talent on their way to Sibley.

But they came by West too late. The kids were gone, except for a confused looking group of youths running along the Red Jacket Trail near the YMCA.

The Occupy group finished their march happy that the police left them alone.

“I feel grateful that our freedom of expression and assembly was honored,” said David Ross, a spokesman for the group.

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