Mall of America Protest Attracts Thousands (UPDATED)

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — Demonstrators chanted "Black lives matter" as they converged in the Mall of America rotunda Saturday for a rally to protest police brutality.

The group Black Lives Matter Minneapolis had more than 3,000 people confirm on Facebook that they would attend the peaceful protest. Official attendance figures weren't immediately available, but pictures posted to social media by local news organizations showed the rotunda was full.

The Mall of America enhanced security, and police in riot gear were present. WCCO-AM reported that stores were closed for a short time. There were no immediate reports of arrests.

After a final warning to disperse, the protesters began leaving the mall.

The rally is part of protests happening nationwide after officers weren't charged in the deaths of unarmed black men in Missouri and New York.

Mall of America officials released a statement Saturday saying they are "extremely disappointed" that organizers of a protest decided to rally at the mall despite being told it was against mall policy.

The statement says: "It's clear from their actions that these political activists were more concerned about making a political statement and creating a media event than they were about the safety of others, who came to Mall of America for an afternoon of shopping and family entertainment."

The mall statement says about 12 people were arrested by Bloomington police.

The mall also confirms that it temporarily closed stores on the mall's east side for the safety of shoppers and retailers. All stores are now reopened.