Protesters arrested at Cargill building

A group of protesters have been taken away from a Cargill Inc. office building in Minnetonka after locking themselves to a stairwell.

The protesters from Rainforest Action Network accuse the company of destroying rainforest in pursuit of palm oil, an ingredient in food and consumer products.

Cargill spokeswoman Susan Eich says five to seven protesters chained themselves to a stairwell Wednesday morning and refused an executive's invitation to go to a conference room to talk. Eich says the protesters were arrested.

Police in Minnetonka didn't immediately return a phone call.

Cargill says it produces palm oil responsibly on its own plantations and is working toward sustainable production from its suppliers.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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