Black Lives Matter says it will 'shut down' Crashed Ice; demands firing of officer

Black Lives Matter plans to hold a protest at the Crashed Ice competition later this month.

On its Facebook page Monday, Black Lives Matter St. Paul said it will stage "a non-violent shut down action" Feb. 27 at the downhill ice skating event.

Among other things, the group is demanding the city fire Sgt. Jeffrey Rothecker and strip him of his Minnesota peace officer's license.

Last month the St. Paul Police Department put Rothecker on leave after he wrote a Facebook post urging drivers to run over protesters during a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day march on the Lake Street Bridge. Rothecker apologized for the comment.

St. Paul police spokesperson Steve Linders said the department has a long history of facilitating people's right to protest while ensuring that events go forward as planned.

Black Lives Matter St. Paul organizers declined interview requests Monday.