Group Plans to Disrupt Minnesota State Fair Traffic

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A group called Black Lives Matter St. Paul says it plans a rally to disrupt operations at the Minnesota State Fair.

The group says it wants to protest shootings by St. Paul police as well as racial disparities at the annual event. They say they will march down Snelling Avenue to the State Fair's gates next week as the fair opens, disrupting traffic along their route.

The Star Tribune reports that the group says the fair generates millions in profits each year without allowing minorities a fair shot at vendor slots.

Fair general manager Jerry Hammer says that isn't true. He says vendor selection is a blind process. Hammer also said he'd guarantee exhibit space for Black Lives Matter if they register for it.

The 12-day fair starts Thursday.