A military helicopter dispelled protesters in Washington, D.C., with a “show of force” on the fourth night of demonstrations in the city following George Floyd’s death.
Despite a new curfew of 7 p.m., scores of protesters made their way through the city’s streets on Monday night. Near Chinatown, a helicopter with U.S. Army markings descended to rooftop level and kicked up dirt and debris in a “show of force” maneuver low-flying jets commonly use in combat zones to scare away insurgents. The aircraft also snapped trees that narrowly missed several people below.
Footage of the tactic was shared on social media by reporters at the scene. According to the New York Times, the crowd quickly dispersed into surrounding blocks, and the helicopter returned for another pass within a few minutes.
The outlet initially identified the helicopter as a Blackhawk, but later updated its reporting to say it was a Lakota.
—-> pic.twitter.com/lseMGUYzux
— Zolan Kanno-Youngs (@KannoYoungs) June 2, 2020
— Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) June 2, 2020
Helicopter isn’t moving and neither is the crowd. The show of military force on US streets is like nothing I would have believed if I weren’t here pic.twitter.com/80UnzDNx17
— Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) June 2, 2020
In an address to the nation hours earlier, President Trump threatened to send military troops to combat the unrest and riots across the country that started as peaceful protests over Floyd’s death in police custody. Ahead of his address, an assortment of law enforcement dispersed protesters outside of the White House with rubber bullets and tear gas.
Floyd, an unarmed black man, died last week after being restrained by a white Minnesota police officer who placed his knee on the back of Floyd’s neck until he lost consciousness. Findings from two autopsies have ruled his death a homicide. Officer Derek Chauvin faces charges of third-degree murder and manslaughter after being fired from the force along with three other officers involved in Floyd’s arrest.
