Sunday’s Bears-Vikings game is meaningless with regards to the playoffs, but it drew our attention due to something going on off the field… or above it.
While the game was going on, two fans climbed up to the top of US Bank Stadium and hung a banner. Initially, no one could tell what it was or why anyone would want to hang from a banner at the top of a giant stadium during a game, but the motives soon became apparent.
Some guy is hanging from a banner inside US Bank Stadium. pic.twitter.com/zFyr7hpMs3
— Jeff Dickerson (@DickersonESPN) January 1, 2017
A protestor is on this banner at U.S. Bank Stadium, criticizing the bank's investment in… https://t.co/Ftf8IQSB8S pic.twitter.com/YfQ8gqhGF0
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingESPN) January 1, 2017
The banner is a protest against US Bank’s investment in a company that is funding the Dakota Access Pipeline. The pipeline is of course a very sensitive political issue right now, and passions on both sides are running high.
.@BradBiggs Cops going to get him pic.twitter.com/ylkfZBiFor
— Jeff (@JayJazzi) January 1, 2017
Police had to clear about six rows of seats below where the protesters climbed up the scaffolding and hung their banner while the game continued to be played. As of this writing, they are still trying to get the two protesters down, but the situation continues to get even more bizarre.
Dude making a casual phone call now pic.twitter.com/l1NC2Jz8Gf
— EvanFitzgerald Fox32 (@EvanWFitzgerald) January 1, 2017
And to add to the strangeness of the situation, regardless of your feelings on the pipeline issue, the protesters took another interesting step by e-mailing a press release to reporters covering the game.
Was just emailed this press release about the protest at US Bank Stadium. pic.twitter.com/kQ4lxA1hOl
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) January 1, 2017
As of this point, FOX’s broadcast crew of Dick Stockton, David Diehl and Kristina Pink have not mentioned the banner nor the police’s attempt to get the protesters and the banner down during the broadcast.
UPDATE: The protesters are apparently having phone conversations with reporters while hanging from the rafters.
Just talked to one of climbers at US. Bank Stadium. They're taking calls. Karl Zimmerman (Favre jersey) 33 from south Minneapolis #Vikings
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) January 1, 2017
Zimmerman deflected every question I asked about how they snuck in 10×40-foot banner, climbing gear and any logistics #Vikings
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) January 1, 2017
Zimmerman on climbing danger: "It's not as dangerous as for the communities of Standing Rock and those of the Missouri River." #Vikings
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) January 1, 2017
Zimmerman refused to say how long they plan to hang or fret about arrest: How long up there: "Desperate times call for desperate measures."
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) January 1, 2017
Reconnected w/ Karl Zimmerman dangling from stadium rafters. Asked if he plans to surrender peacefully. "Only talking about Dakota Pipeline"
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) January 1, 2017
As of the end of the game, the protesters are still up there.
At game's end, still no resolution to the protest situation in the rafters. pic.twitter.com/3CXG0AqC3X
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) January 1, 2017