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Hundreds of troops deployed as angry US anti-racism protests spread
MINNEAPOLIS, May 29, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Hundreds of troops deployed
to the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul early Friday after a third
night of rioting over police brutality against African Americans left
hundreds of shops damaged and a police station on fire.
After the angry demonstrations spread overnight to multiple US
cities, from New York to Phoenix, President Donald Trump blasted local
officials and labelled the protestors “thugs” and threatened a harsh
crackdown.
Black leaders continued to express outrage over the videotaped
death of George Floyd, 46, while handcuffed on the ground and in
custody of Minneapolis police on Monday. He died after one officer
kneeled on his neck for more than five minutes.
“People are angry they are frustrated because this is not the first
police killing they have seen around the country,” Al Sharpton, a
prominent black rights activist, told MSNBC.
Trump indicated he would counter more street violence with more
troops on the streets.
“These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I
won’t let that happen,” Trump tweeted.
“Just spoke to (Minnesota) 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.”
Twitter concealed that tweet, saying it violated its policy on
glorifying violence.
– Police station set ablaze –
Overnight demonstrators broke through law enforcement barriers to
overtake the Minneapolis police station where the four officers blamed
for Floyd’s death were based.
A fire broke out and soon became an inferno that engulfed the structure.
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The state’s national guard announced the 500 troops were being
deployed Friday morning for peacekeeping amid signs that the anger was
nowhere near dissipating.
“Our troops are trained to protect life, preserve property and
ensure people’s right to peacefully demonstrate,” said Major General
Jon Jensen of the Minnesota National Guard.
– ‘Please choose peace’ –
Protests broke out in several cities across the country, including
New York, where dozens of protestors were arrested; Phoenix, Memphis,
and Denver.
In Louisville, Kentucky, seven people were hit by gunfire at a
protest on Thursday over the death of Breonna Taylor — a black woman
who was shot after police entered her home in March.
One of those wounded was in critical condition, according to the
Louisville Metro Police Department. It is not yet clear who fired the
shots.
Police urged protestors to “please choose peace,” posting a video
message from a member of Taylor’s family asking those in the streets
to “go home and be safe and be ready to keep fighting.”
But more protests were expected Friday, including in Washington and
Houston, where Floyd’s family is.
– Video evidence –
Pressure mounted on Minnesota officials to arrest the four officers
blamed for Floyd’s death.
A video shows that after being detained on a minor, non-violent
charge of using a counterfeit banknote, he was handcuffed, pinned to
the ground and one officer held his knee tightly to Floyd’s neck for
more than five minutes until he went limp.
Floyd’s family demanded the officer be arrested for murder, but
local and federal law enforcement officials said Thursday they still
needed to investigate the case thoroughly.
“The Department of Justice has made the investigation in this case a
top priority,” said Erica MacDonald, the US federal attorney for
Minnesota.
“To be clear, President (Donald) Trump, as well as Attorney General
William Barr, are directly and actively monitoring the investigation
in this case.”
But Sharpton said Friday that video of Floyd’s death was strong
enough to support arresting the officers, who have been fired from the
Minneapolis police.
“The tape is more than enough to establish probable cause .. to
make an arrest. There is no reason these four policemen have not been
arrested by now.”
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