Minneapolis: The protest over George Floyd has stirred a spark cross the nation, stating Breonna Taylor’s death, demand for justice protest on Kentucky’s downtown city raged people demanding for the truth and stand up against police cruelty. More than 500 Minnesota National Guard soldiers arrive in Minneapolis as protests went full blown for a third night over the death of a black man while in police custody.
People across the country showed up to the protest, from Tennessee to New York, to Denver to Los Angeles, demanding justice for George Floyd after he was arrested under the basis of a suspect was manhandled and died. Smoke and orange flames filled the Minneapolis night sky this Thursday as protestors breached the 3rd Police Precinct and set it on fire. Others tossed fireworks towards the precinct, which is closest to where Floyd was held under arrest by the cops.
The protestors chanted, “I can’t breathe” as they marched past building in literal flames, the Minnesota National Guard mobilized to several locations including banks, grocery stores and pharmacies, the protest is only getting violent in the name of justice.
“Our mission is to protect life, preserve property and the right to peacefully protest. A key objective is to ensure fire departments are able to respond to calls,” the Minnesota National Guard tweeted. City officials had warned protestors to leave the precinct area that it may be in danger of exploding due to “unconfirmed reports” of explosive may be used in the building.
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock pleaded with people to demonstrate peacefully says, ”You can be angry. You can be outraged. I certainly am and I join you in those feelings and demands of #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd. March for justice and to see it served, but please march in peace. Responding to violence with violence will only lead to more violence,” he tweeted.
#Minneapolis police clashed with protesters who are angry over the death of African American #georgefloyd. He passed away after a white officer was seen kneeling on his neck.
Footage showed Floyd repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe”. pic.twitter.com/0NeMkWRjd4
— euronews (@euronews) May 27, 2020
“What we’ve seen over the past several hours and the past couple of nights in terms of looting is unacceptable, our communities cannot and will not tolerate it,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told the reporters.
Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman said, “We need to wade through all of that evidence and come to a meaningful decision and we are doing that to the best of our ability. We are going to investigate it as expeditiously, as thoroughly as justice demands. That video is graphic, horrific and terrible. And no person should do that. I am pleading with individuals to remain calm and let us conduct this investigation. All four officers involved in the death have invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.”
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo apologised saying, “I am absolutely sorry for the pain, devastation and trauma Mr. Floyd’s death has left on his family, his loved ones, Minneapolis and the world, I know there is currently a deficit of hope in our city and I know our department has contributed to that deficit as a whole.”
….These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
In a late-night tweet, President Donald Trump described the Minneapolis protesters as “thugs,” and threatened to send the National Guard, saying “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” Twitter flagged his tweet for “glorifying” violence.
Steve Lopez is the Editorial Page Editor for News Raise. He covers Health. He has won more than a dozen national journalism awards for his reporting and column writing at seven newspapers and four news magazines.
