National Football League

Protesters climb to rafters, unveil banner during Bears-Vikings game

Published Jan. 1, 2017 5:29 p.m. ET

Dan Graf

Sunday’s Chicago Bears-Minnesota Vikings game didn’t have any playoff implications, but fans at U.S. Bank Stadium were treated to a bit of an odd sideshow.

During the second quarter, two protesters – one wearing a Vikings Brett Favre jersey – climbed into the rafters and then rappelled to unveil a banner.

https://twitter.com/EvanWFitzgerald/status/815630782941294592

Police were in slow pursuit …

https://twitter.com/EvanWFitzgerald/status/815631778987831296

And the protesters finally made their Anti-Dakota Access Pipeline point:

https://twitter.com/People4Bernie/status/815637101530071041

On the field, the Vikings took a 24-10 lead into the half in an effort to finish the season at 8-8 after a 5-0 start to the season. As of halftime, police were waiting out the protesters. Seats were cleared out below them, but the game was never interrupted.
During the second half, the protesters finally surrendered to police.

https://youtu.be/4SDghUO7vrk