Minneapolis: Fires, Protest, Following Death of Black Man in Police Custody

The killing of George Floyd, an unarmed African American while in police custody earlier this week in Minneapolis, has sparked violent protests, fires overnight and threats from President Trump, who called the protesters “thugs.”

While four Minneapolis police officers have been fired for their roles in the Floyd incident, protests have intensified.  Demonstrators stormed the Third Precinct of the Minneapolis Police Department last night as officers were ordered to abandon the station while fires ravaged through the city.

While Floyd’s family is calling for the officers to be charged with murder, Minneapolis State Troopers in full body armor and riot gear positioned themselves this morning near the police station which the protesters had set on fire.

President Trump, meanwhile, tweeted the following shortly before 1 o’clock on Friday morning:

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) tweeted at 0:53 AM on Fri, May 29, 2020:
I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right…..

I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020

The President also tweeted, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”  This prompted Twitter to hide the message because, in its opinion, it was “glorifying violence.”   Meanwhile, the protests have not been limited to Minneapolis, having spread to neighboring St. Paul, as well as Denver, Columbus, Phoenix and other American cities.

I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed an Executive Order authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to support Minneapolis and its surrounding communities.

For now, the protests and violence continue to rage.  Arson, rioting, looting and the damaging of both public and private property.  Governor Walz stated, “The City of Minneapolis has exhausted its resources and called for assistance from mutual aid partners to ensure immediate response to protect life, safety, and property.”

NJ Senator Cory Booker also send the following post on twitter

George Floyd was murdered on tape and the officers who killed him still haven't been arrested. At a time when the president should be bringing this country together, he instead sends racist tweets inciting violence. We demand accountability, justice, and systemic change.

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 29, 2020

The racial divide in America continues.