The Minnesota AFL-CIO Executive Board is condemning the prosecution of 11 Black Lives Matter activists for peacefully protesting at the Mall of America. The defendants, who faced their first court appearance Tuesday, include the labor federation’s director of organizing.

Minnesota AFL-CIO Organizing/Growth Director Todd Dahlstrom and 10 others pleaded not guilty in Hennepin County Court to misdemeanor criminal charges in connection with the Dec. 20 demonstration, called to protest the killings of unarmed African-American men in Ferguson, Missouri, and elsewhere. About 3,000 people filled the Mall of America’s rotunda and some stores closed as a result.

“Having recently observed the 50th anniversary of the Selma march, it’s apt that we remember how much the labor movement and the civil rights movement historically have in common,” Dahlstrom said Tuesday.

“It’s often overlooked that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was in Memphis, in solidarity with striking sanitation workers, when he was murdered.

“The #BlackLivesMatter movement is pointing out the structural racial inequalities that persist in our society. I’m proud to stand with my union brothers and sisters and everyone active in this peaceful effort for justice.”

Others facing charges include Mica Grimm and Michael McDowell, organizers for Black Lives Matter; Kandace Montgomery, organizer for TakeAction Minnesota; and Nekima Levy-Pounds, University of St. Thomas law professor and civil rights attorney.

The AFL-CIO called on Bloomington City Attorney Sandra Johnson to drop all charges. Johnson also is seeking an unprecedented $40,000 in restitution for “police overtime” and “lost revenue.”

“Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of social change in our democracy. From the labor movement to the women’s movement and the civil rights movement, major change in this country has always included peaceful demonstrations,” Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson said.

“The #BlackLivesMatter movement is pointing out the structural racial inequalities that persist in our society. Much like other social movements, #BlackLivesMatter is engaging in non-violent protest to help point out these inequalities.

“By prosecuting protest organizers, local authorities are sending a message that a minor inconvenience trumps the right to peacefully assemble. Minnesota’s Labor movement is urging Sandra Johnson to correct this wrong by choosing not to prosecute these peaceful activists.”

Some 300 people demonstrated as the defendants left the courtroom Tuesday morning. Black Lives Matter announced it would ask people to boycott the Mall of America until the charges are dropped.

Other groups also are objecting to the arrests. Congressman Keith Ellison and Minneapolis City Council Members Alondra Cano and Andrew Johnson have made public statements supporting the right of peaceful protest and encouraging dialogue around Minnesota’s racial inequalities.

A petition asking the Mall of America to call for the charges to be dropped has garnered over 40,000 signatures. Last week, more than 100 clergy and 100 professors in Minnesota signed on to open letters asking that the charges be dropped.

“The Mall of America has a choice to make. It’s time for the owners to stand on the right side of history and request that these outrageous charges be dropped now,” said Levy-Pounds.

A pretrial court appearance for the 11 defendants has been scheduled for May 1.