News

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Source: CBS Minnesota

This story was originally published on May 27, it was updated on May 28.

Elijah C. Watson

Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When he's not writing he's listening to Sade and crying or watching My Hero Academia with his partner.

Share
Published by
Elijah C. Watson

Recent Posts

Here’s What Chris Tucker Said About Returning to the ‘Friday’ Franchise

While promoting his new film Air, Chris Tucker went to Audacy's V-103 to discuss Friday, a… Read More

March 21, 2023

After 17 Years, Zippyshare Is Going Defunct

File-sharing music website Zippyshare has announced that they'll be shutting down at the end of… Read More

March 21, 2023

Rap Twitter Ranks Their Favorite “Sneak” Diss Lines in Hip-Hop History

Rap enthusiasts on Twitter are ranking their favorite sneak rap diss lines bar for bar,… Read More

March 21, 2023

Keanu Reeves & Laurence Fishburne Homage Lance Reddick During ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Premiere

During the John Wick: Chapter 4 premiere on Monday night, Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne discussed… Read More

March 21, 2023

Ronald Isley Is Being Sued By Rudolph Isley Over The Isley Brothers Trademark

Rudolph Isley is suing Ronald Isley, over The Isley Brothers trademark, requesting a 50 percent… Read More

March 21, 2023

The 24 Best Spike Lee Movies

You can’t talk about Black movies without mentioning Spike Lee. In honor of the famed… Read More

March 20, 2023