Hundreds march to Minnesota State Fair protest

(AP) – Hundreds of protesters are marching in a Black Lives Matter rally outside the Minnesota State Fair.

The demonstrators marched up Snelling Avenue to the fair gates Saturday.

The Star Tribune reports at one point, the marchers deviated from their announced route and tried to enter a gate to the fairgrounds.

St. Paul police lined up on front of Gate 7 on Como Avenue to turn the marchers away.

The marchers then retreated to Snelling Avenue and headed back north, arriving at the front gates about 1:30 p.m.

The march has been peaceful, but there has been some heckling from onlookers.

The group contends says the fair has not been supportive of minority vendors and visitors.

It also wants to raise awareness of other issues facing communities of color.