An exasperated man who claimed to own a shopping center in downtown Minneapolis blasted officials who he believes failed to protect businesses during a week of protests that have escalated into back-to-back nights of looting and fires.
Speaking to a KARE Minneapolis reporter, the unnamed man said citizens will rise up, if the government won’t, and quell the protests, which have, in some cases, become riots over the past 24 hours.
“What I want to tell people right now is that if the governor and the mayor are not going to take care of this problem, people will,” he said. “People will uprise over this.”
I almost cannot believe what I just heard. Wow pic.twitter.com/n0qLH0acL2
— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) May 30, 2020
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Minneapolis and cities around the country in response to the death of 46-year-old George Floyd, who died while in police custody on Monday.
The man singled out Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as two officials who have failed to curb the violent protests.
“Those people that live there, that make their business there, they’re Korean, they’re black people, they’re immigrants, they’ve worked their f—king life off trying to make this thing happen,” he added.
Around midnight local time, Walz tweeted: “The Minnesota National Guard, State Patrol, and local police are on the ground responding to incidents in Mpls-St. Paul. I urge residents to comply with 8pm curfew and go home immediately. Law enforcement needs to respond to emergencies, restore order, and keep Minnesotans safe.”
Soon after, more law enforcement officials could be seen moving into the area toward the city police’s 5th Precinct, which had been surrounded by protesters.
Law enforcement showing up in large numbers now, heading towards fifth precinct. People running away. Show of force. pic.twitter.com/RJr62KP6Lv
— bengarvin (@bengarvin) May 30, 2020
