Black Lives Matter St. Paul to protest outside governor's mansion

Black Lives Matter St. Paul plans to rally outside the governor's residence on Tuesday to protest Gov. Mark Dayton's remarks about the group's weekend march outside the State Fair.

Dayton said the group raised valid concerns but called the Saturday demonstration outside the fairgrounds "inappropriate."

The group's lead organizer, Rashad Turner, said Tuesday the protest will begin at 5 p.m. "Come let your voice be heard," he tweeted. "@GovMarkDayton you're inappropriate & oppressive."

Dayton won't be home. He has meetings "off site," said spokesman Matt Swenson.

The group has not requested a meeting with Dayton, Swenson said, but "any individual or organization has a First Amendment right to protest on the public space outside the governor's residence," Swenson said.

Black Lives Matter St. Paul marched outside the fair on Saturday to call attention to alleged disparity at the fair, which organizers say has not been welcoming to minority vendors or patrons. Dayton said the group should have taken its complaints to the State Fair board several months ago.

Mary Lynn Smith