St. Paul

Protesters shut down I-94 in St. Paul over killing of singer in Ethiopia

The death of Hachalu Hundessa also sparked angry protests in Addis Ababa.

July 2, 2020 at 11:52AM

Protesters apparently outraged by the killing of a popular singer in Ethiopia stopped traffic on Interstate 94 in St. Paul during Wednesday evening's rush hour.

Police blocked the entrance ramps to the freeway shortly before 6:30 p.m. Traffic was stopped as the group moved down the interstate. One protester told KSTP-TV they are telling the U.S. government to stop letting fake leaders run Ethiopia after the killing of singer Hachalu Hundessa.

State Patrol spokesman Lt. Gordon Shank said after 8 p.m. the protesters had left the freeway, and no arrests have been made.

Hachalu had been a prominent voice in anti-government protests that led to a change in leadership in 2018. His death has also sparked angry protests in the capital, Addis Ababa.

The singer is set to be buried Thursday in the Oromia region.

Leaders urged demonstrators to make their way to the Lexington Ave. exit off westbound I-94.
Leaders urged demonstrators to make their way to the Lexington Ave. exit off westbound I-94. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Demonstrators before they made their way to the Lexington Ave. exit off westbound I-94.
Demonstrators before they made their way to the Lexington Ave. exit off westbound I-94. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Demonstrators made their way to the Lexington Ave. exit off westbound I-94. ] JEFF WHEELER • Jeff.Wheeler@startribune.com Demonstrators protesting the political situation in Ethiopia in the wake of the shooting death of musician Hachalu Hundessa, well known for his political songs, shut down westbound I-94 in St. Paul Wednesday evening, July 1, 2020 before exiting at Lexington Ave. and continuing to protest peacefully.
Demonstrators made their way to the Lexington Avenue exit off westbound Interstate 94 in St. Paul on Wednesday evening. They were protesting the political situation in Ethiopia. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
A pair of demonstrators walked to join others paused before making their way to the Lexington Ave. exit off westbound I-94. ] JEFF WHEELER • Jeff.Wheeler@startribune.com Demonstrators protesting the political situation in Ethiopia in the wake of the shooting death of musician Hachalu Hundessa, well known for his political songs, shut down westbound I-94 in St. Paul Wednesday evening, July 1, 2020 before exiting at Lexington Ave. and continuing to protest peacefully.
A pair of demonstrators walked to join others paused before making their way to the Lexington Ave. exit off westbound I-94. ] JEFF WHEELER • Jeff.Wheeler@startribune.com Demonstrators protesting the political situation in Ethiopia in the wake of the shooting death of musician Hachalu Hundessa, well known for his political songs, shut down westbound I-94 in St. Paul Wednesday evening, July 1, 2020 before exiting at Lexington Ave. and continuing to protest peacefully. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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