The mayor of Minneapolis requested that the National Guard be called in after protests over the death of George Floyd turned into violent riots.
A spokesperson for Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed on Thursday that he was calling in the National Guard to protect the safety of protesters in the city after several stores were looted, and an AutoZone was lit on fire the night before. Police officers appeared to stand down while the protests veered out of control, and at least one person was shot and killed during the mayhem.
“I cannot risk the safety of innocent people, and so that is what I’ve been sworn to uphold, and that is what I am dedicated to do,” Frey previously told KARE 11. “We can have both things. We can have peaceful demonstrations, but I also have to ensure the safety of everyone in the city.”
Authorities in Minnesota urged people to say away from the sight of the riots on Wednesday night. Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, asked people to stay away from the area as it was an “extremely dangerous situation.” Frey also made an emotional appeal for the chaos to stop.
“I’m imploring our city, imploring our community, imploring every one of us to keep the peace. Let’s honor George Floyd’s memory,” he said as the city burned.
Only one arrest was made during the protests. A man connected to the shooting death was taken into custody. No other protesters were injured during the demonstrations. Officers made no arrests in connection to the mass looting of several stores or in connection to the fires that destroyed the AutoZone store.
Several other fires burned in the area, but it is not clear how the blazes began. The construction site of one housing complex was completely engulfed in flames.
Housing complex construction site on 29th/26th is on the verge of collapse. Heat is so intense you can feel blocks away. pic.twitter.com/sXbmQyzHCz
— Liz Sawyer (@ByLizSawyer) May 28, 2020
“Tonight was a different night of protesting than it was just the night before,” said Minneapolis Police Department spokesman John Elder on Thursday morning.
Police Chief Medaria Arradondo called for an end to the violent protests and criminal behavior.
“Justice historically has never come to fruition through some of the acts that we’re seeing tonight, whether it’s the looting, whether it’s the damage of property and other things,” he told Fox 9.
Frey asked that Walz deploy the National Guard to help maintain the peace. In addition to the Minneapolis police, officers from nearby St. Paul have already been assisting with the situation. Walz also deployed 50 to 60 state troopers to help local authorities.
Protests began earlier this week after a Minneapolis Police Department officer was filmed kneeling on Floyd’s neck while arresting him prior to his death. The four officers involved in the incident have all been fired from the department.
