Scary … guy hangin from rafters w Divest banner. #NoDAPL let’s just say I’m hopeful security officials are working on it pic.twitter.com/aa4Q8WY21U — Dawn Mitchell (@DawnAtFOX9) January 1, 2017

A New Year’s Day game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears in Minneapolis was interrupted by two protesters calling attention to U.S. Bank Stadium’s namesake and its financial involvement in the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. Local sports reporters on the scene first called attention to the matter on Twitter when two men, including one dressing in an old Brett Favre Vikings jersey, repelled from the rafters after unfurling a large banner that read “U.S. Bank DIVEST #NoDAPL.”

Dawn Mitchell, a sports anchor with the Minneapolis Fox affiliate, posted several videos and tweets about the protest as it happened. “I’m hopeful security officials are working on it,” she wrote, adding that “cops [were] waiting to arrest both guys” in a subsequent tweet.

Meanwhile, Chicago Tribune Bears reporter Brad Biggs posted several photos of the two men and the seating section below them. Police immediately began clearing the unknown section soon after the protesters appeared, presumably as a safety precaution.

Police have now moved folks in 7 rows below this climber guy. I'm guessing he is not planning to fall however. pic.twitter.com/S2hRc8UzYX — Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) January 1, 2017







Mitchell also posted a video of the cleared section, noting that the “dangerous” act was “now displacing fans who paid to see this game.”



Just dangerous and now displacing fans who paid to see this game. Seats being cleared — hope they don’t fall. pic.twitter.com/a49LSZDzyj — Dawn Mitchell (@DawnAtFOX9) January 1, 2017

In an official statement received by Star Tribune Vikings reporter Matt Vensel, climbers Sen Holiday and Karl Zimmermann explained their act was one of “solidarity with the water protectors at Standing Rock.”

Story continues

Was just emailed this press release about the protest at US Bank Stadium. pic.twitter.com/kQ4lxA1hOl — Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) January 1, 2017





The protesters’ statement didn’t explain how Holiday and Zimmermann managed to sneak all of their equipment into U.S. Bank Stadium while avoiding detection. However, in a subsequent release by officials on the scene, it was revealed the two men had “climbed over a guard rail to access the ridge truss.” Minneapolis police, fire department officials and other emergency personnel were immediately dispatched to the stadium to protect game attendees while trying to safely get Holiday and Zimmermann down from the rafters.



Such was evidenced by Mitchell, Biggs and Post-Bulletin reporter Brett Boese’s ongoing tweets documenting the protest and the authorities’ response.





Protester in Favre jersey is waving and dabbing next to #NoDAPL sign. Can't make it up. #vikings pic.twitter.com/Adt963C0Yp — Brett Boese (@PBbboese) January 1, 2017





Protester in Favre jersey making his way up toward the rafters — Dawn Mitchell (@DawnAtFOX9) January 1, 2017





With police lurking above, guy in Favre jersey is on a phone call. pic.twitter.com/z60y1ikzAV — Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) January 1, 2017





Exit blocked by 30+ cops in my section. Police climber with his own ropes moving in! #NoDAPL #vikings pic.twitter.com/41qT5HClzL — Brett Boese (@PBbboese) January 1, 2017





Law enforcement on high alert – with stretcher ready. No action at half though. #NoDAPL #Vikings pic.twitter.com/IxkOKwgDsT — Brett Boese (@PBbboese) January 1, 2017







UPDATE #1: It appears Minneapolis police officers decked out in climbing and repelling gear are preparing to move in on Holiday and Zimmermann.







Appears they’re fixing to get ready to help these gentlemen to the nearest jail cell. We’ll see. pic.twitter.com/1PHDiIrcTC — Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) January 1, 2017

Meanwhile, one of Mitchell’s anonymous sources revealed SMG — the company in charge of managing U.S. Stadium Bank — “failed an independent survey this season on how their security and services performed.”

UPDATE #2: Local sports reporter Brian Murphy, citing sources with the Minneapolis police and fire departments, said emergency personnel equipped with climbing gear won’t move in on Holiday and Zimmermann “until stadium empties” after the game. Additional tweeted updates from journalists on the scene seemed to confirm this, as the police climbers seen scaling the rafters earlier haven’t descended from their current positions.

Four law enforcement climbers on platform. Talking but no action. Few near me have been chanting "Taze them! Taze them!" #NoDAPL — Brett Boese (@PBbboese) January 1, 2017





Authorities continue to chat with these guys and amongst themselves. Still no solution. #Vikings lead 38-10. pic.twitter.com/ZkioCQ0WBY — Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) January 1, 2017







UPDATE #3: As soon as the Vikings-Bears game came to a close, Holiday and Zimmermann climbed back up into the rafters and surrendered to the authorities. The Post-Bulletin‘s Boese documented the entire exchange from his section, which became rather heated as fans began booing the protesters vehemently.



And the protestors came up on their own as soon as game ended. #NoDAPL #Vikings pic.twitter.com/R4vZdXKelm — Brett Boese (@PBbboese) January 1, 2017





MAJOR boos for protestor in Favre jersey. Getting nasty. #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/TofRmEu59M — Brett Boese (@PBbboese) January 1, 2017



