The Austin chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has organized a protest after Highland Mall shut down last Saturday, during the Texas Relays.

The group feels the closure sent the wrong message to the African American community in town for the Texas Relays.

"On Saturday morning at 9 a.m., we're going to have banners, we're going to have signs, we're going to encourage folks number one to not to shop at Highland Mall, pretend it's still closed," Austin NAACP President Nelson Linder said. "And also we're going to begin to identify folks who want our business."

Management at Highland Mall was unavailable for comment as of press time.

In a statement last week, mall officials said the reason they closed is because of a lack of security.