Police arrest 15 rallying outside St. Paul City Hall for $15 minimum wage

St. Paul police arrested 15 people Monday night after they refused to break up a rally near St. Paul City Hall to promote a $15 minimum wage in the city.

Several dozen protesters from groups including the Poor People's Campaign and the Center of Workers United in Struggle, sang, chanted and gave speeches, according to Liz Xiong, Mayor Melvin Carter's spokeswoman.

Carter came out to speak to the group, which gathered at the intersection of Wabasha Street and Kellogg Boulevard He addressed them individually rather than as a crowd, Xiong said.

St. Paul police gave orders to disperse three times over 30 minutes. Police arrested the protesters when they refused, she said.

The city is holding community meetings this summer about the minimum wage issue.

Carter has said that he wants to pass an ordinance enacting a citywide minimum wage by the end of the year.

Erin Adler • 612-673-1781