Protesters briefly shut down the St. Louis Galleria in Richmond Heights during Black Friday holiday shopping. Chants of “no justice, no profits” and “stand up, fight back” rang out a little after 1:30 p.m. after groups of protesters gathered at an upper level above the food court. As protesters marched through the mall, stores began closing; protesters walked into some that hadn't closed and demanded they do so. The mall eventually closed around 2:30 p.m. but reopened after protesters left the property.

Police gave a dispersal order by bullhorn by police after the protesters marched back to where the demonstration began. After the dispersal order, seven people were arrested, including state Representative Bruce Franks Jr. (D-St. Louis).

Organizers declared the action over when the arrests were made. After leaving the mall, a group of protesters gathered at the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton to wait for those arrested to be released.

The Black Friday protest was part of a boycott by clergy and protesters from the No Justice No Profit movement. After 22 people were arrested during another protest at the mall in September, the group urged further action targeting the area's commerce.

Around 5:45 p.m. those arrested during the demonstration began to be released, starting with Franks.

RFT contributor Daniel Shular was there to capture the scene.

November 25, 2017