Minneapolis Protesters Clash With Police Over George Floyd’s Death
Hundreds of people took to the streets of Minneapolis to protest George Floyd’s death.
On Tuesday (May 26) night in Minneapolis, hundreds of protesters demonstrated over the death of George Floyd, who was killed in police custody on Monday.
READ: George Floyd Pleaded “I Cannot Breathe” to Minneapolis Officers, Dies While in Police Custody
In a report from CBS Minnesota, protesters took to the same intersection where Floyd was pinned to the ground by a police officer before marching to the 3rd Precinct, where it is believed that the four officers involved in Floyd’s death worked.
(Video taken at 5:45pm but wouldn't upload due to service issues).
Sound of motorcycles revving sends crowd at George Floyd protest running, many confused or scared by what's happening. Motorcyclists actually there in support of protest/march.@WCCO pic.twitter.com/yXJpKQqMS5
— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) May 26, 2020
A better look at the crowd size of the Minneapolis march for #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/u0pg0hf4bD
— Ryan Faircloth (@RyanFaircloth) May 26, 2020
As protesters made their way to the precinct, a smaller group of protesters started vandalizing the building, as well as squad cars. Officers dressed in riot gear had formed a barrier around the precinct. Videos have surfaced on social of officers using smoke bombs or tear gas, as well as flash grenades, against the demonstrators.
Chaotic scene outside the Third Precinct as Minneapolis Police deploy gas against demonstrators protesting George Floyd’s death. You can see the haze in front of the building. @kare11 pic.twitter.com/1Rqd9EdnYA
— Danny Spewak (@DannySpewak) May 27, 2020
Repost from @roar_ara via @media_action … Protesters tear down part of a fence at the Minneapolis police 3rd precinct and proceed to trash cop's personal vehicles in revenge for the broad daylight brutal murder of George Floyd.#ftp #acab #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/3DEnQmgYsK
— Indigenous Anarchist Federation (@IAF__FAI) May 27, 2020
One more video from the evening. This is when police started throwing flash bangs and tear gas and advancing on protestors, some of whom has been throwing objects at the officers. pic.twitter.com/jYtUlC3GZw
— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) May 27, 2020
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar responded to the Minneapolis Police Department’s handling of the protests, tweeting: “Shooting rubber bullets and tear gas at unarmed protesters when there are children present should never be tolerated. Ever. What is happening tonight in our city is shameful. Police need to exercise restraint, and our community needs space to heal.”
Shooting rubber bullets and tear gas at unarmed protesters when there are children present should never be tolerated. Ever.
What is happening tonight in our city is shameful.
Police need to exercise restraint, and our community needs space to heal. https://t.co/vwAIV7t5WJ
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 27, 2020
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has yet to respond to the protests. However, he did speak on Floyd’s death, calling it “horrible” and “completely and utterly messed up.”
‘Being black in America should not be a death sentence,” Frey said. “When you hear someone calling for help, you’re supposed to help. This officer failed in the most basic, human sense.”
At the moment, the FBI and state authorities are investigating Floyd’s death. The Minneapolis Police Department has since fired four of the officers involved in Floyd’s in-custody incident.
After two nights of protests in Minneapolis, the U.S. Justice Department shared it has made the federal investigation of the death George Floyd a “top priority.”
In a joint statement, U.S. Attorney Erica Macdonald and FBI Special Agent In Charge Rainer Drolshagen announced a “robust criminal investigation” would be conducted, reports the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of Minnesota, the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office are currently involved in the investigation.
Yesterday evening, riots broke out in Minneapolis and additional protests were held in Memphis and Los Angeles per the Washington Post.
