Threat of Protest Won’t Stop Saint Paul Red Bull Event

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The mayor of St. Paul says a large ice cross race will go on as scheduled, despite plans by the group Black Lives Matter to disrupt it if a police officer isn't fired.

Mayor Chris Coleman said Wednesday he has instructed St. Paul police "to leave all options on the table" when protecting racers and spectators at the Red Bull Crashed Ice event February 27th.

Officer Jeffrey Rothecker is on leave while the department investigates his actions. Rothecker apologized last month for a post he made on Facebook urging drivers to run over protesters who rallied against the police killings of two black men in the Twin Cities last year.

Coleman said while he shares "the outrage and disgust" at the officer's alleged online post, he cannot speak about the investigation while it's ongoing.