Protests and riots have spread across the United States following the death of George Floyd who was choked to death by a Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin on 25 May 2020.
In the incident, which was captured on camera, Mr. Floyd repeatedly complains that he is unable to breathe as Mr. Chauvin kneels on the back of his neck. The officer’s actions have drawn an outraged response.
All four officers involved in the incident have been fired, and the US Department of Justice and the FBI have announced a comprehensive investigation.
Riots and protests have mostly been focused to this point on the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, but have also taken place in Denver, Louisville, Columbus and other locations throughout the United States.
Update 2. at 21.17 on 29 May 2020
The family of George Floyd have released a statement saying that the arrest of Derek Chauvin is welcome, but that they expected a first-degree murder charge.
“The arrest of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the brutal killing of George Floyd is a welcome but overdue step on the road to justice. We expected a first-degree murder charge. We want a first-degree murder charge. And we want to see other officers arrested. We call on authorities to revise the charges to reflect the true culpability of this officer.”
Update 1. at 20.40 on 29 May 2020
Derek Chauvin was charged with third degree murder and manslaughter on 29 May 2020.
Arizona
A protester smashed the rear window of a Phoenix Police 4×4 during a riot on 29 May 2020.
Protester smashes the window of a Phoenix Police SUVhttps://t.co/W7igLULMT4 pic.twitter.com/tE8fHCAH42
— azfamily 3TV CBS 5 (@azfamily) May 29, 2020
Another shows rioters throwing rocks at a police precinct.
As the crowd dwindles, protestors are throwing rocks at Phoenix PD HQ. More police are coming out with riot shields at 7th Ave and Washington. pic.twitter.com/3Q0lp8eLy1
— Andrew Howard (@andrew_howard4) May 29, 2020
California
Looting and rioting in Los Angeles on the night of 29 May 2020 was met with a robust police response in places. In other areas, looters were allowed to act with impunity.
Witnessed a Starbucks in #LosAngeles get absolutely ransacked tonight during the riots. This was way crazier than i expected it to be tonight pic.twitter.com/yZKoMIi0pW
— Trevor Costelloe (@TrevorCostelloe) May 30, 2020
Colorado
Around a dozen shots were fired at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver, although it is not clear by whom, and official sources have stated that no has yet been arrested in connection with the incident.
This video from #Denver is scary. Gunfire erupts and you can hear the bullet whiz by as people dive for cover. Denver police did a good job at directing everyone to safety. pic.twitter.com/rHzloDmXAW
— Chad Loder (@chadloder) May 29, 2020
Denver protest has begun to turn violent. pic.twitter.com/4sZpoLXIC0
— Joshua Rodriguez (@Joshuajered) May 29, 2020
Hundreds marched in solidarity Thursday evening in #Denver with #GeorgeFloyd who was murdered by MN police on Monday. Protesters were met with flashbangs, rubber bullets, tear gas, and pepperball pellets. At least two people were injured by police, and at least two arrests. pic.twitter.com/hKDdvuLIVB
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) May 29, 2020
Georgia
In Atlanta, Georgia, the CNN Center and police vehicles have been vandalised by rioters.
CNN HQ in Atlanta getting overrun by leftist protesters that they themselves whipped into a frenzy.
Many are defacing and vandalizing the giant CNN logo outside the building.
You’re watching Dr. Frankenstein get destroyed by his own monster.#GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/i6EP0Tl8z5
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) May 29, 2020
Illinois
In Chicago, the police were praised for their handling of the riots, immediately swarming looters at the outset of trouble.
Had a front row seat in Chicago last night. Cops handled it properly and righteously, containing it, making a few arrests, and immediately driving them out of there once they started attempting to loot a 7 eleven. #chicagoriots pic.twitter.com/WClRQlRcdU
— Platform 2020 (@Platform_2020) May 30, 2020
Kentucky
At least seven people are reported to have been shot on the night of 28 May 2020 who were protesting a separate incident that occurred on 13 May 2020 when Breonna Taylor, an emergency medical technician was killed after officers raided her home in Louisville, Kentucky.
The shooting came as protesters attempted to overwhelm a police position. One of those shot is believed to be in a critical condition.
so far best POV video (unlike news clips) showing Louisville cops shooting protestors. Revolutionary analysis on these uprisings in U.S. is critical at this moment. #BlackLivesMatter
pic.twitter.com/ft2dZVFx4s— SupportMutualAid ?? (@jasonmaragon) May 29, 2020
Breonna’s sister posted a video calling for calm, but asking for the fight for justice to continue.
Urgent message from #BreonnaTaylor’s sister as violence erupts in Louisville. @WDRBNews pic.twitter.com/X3SUSmA5Yr
— Chad K. Mills (@ChadKMills) May 29, 2020
Minnesota
Rioting on the night of 28 May 2020 was extensive with multiple retail outlets being burnt out.
The following video from Faruk Firat shows the damage from riots to Auto Parts, Auto Zone and Walgreens stores, some of which were still ablaze as of early on 28 May.
OMG! See how much #Minneapolis has been destroyed. As if there was a war here!#GeorgeFloyd #icantbreathe #racism #riots #minneapolisriots #BlackLivesMatters #minneapolisonfire #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #blacklifematters #BlackLivesMatter #Minnesota #MinneapolisRiot #BlackTwitter pic.twitter.com/o3aMGaY3Ag
— Faruk Firat (@FarukFirat1987) May 28, 2020
Another tweet from the same author shows a massive blaze to a Walmart store in Minneapolis.
#BREAKING: Massive fire at a Walmart in #Minneapolis amid riots!#Louisville #GeorgeFloyd #BreonaTaylor #riots #minneapolisriots #racism #BlackLivesMatters #BlackLivesMatter #Minnesota #MinneapolisRiot #BlackTwitter #Minneapolisprotests #minneapolisfire #MinneapolisIsBurning pic.twitter.com/Ilnc5hdofX
— Faruk Firat (@FarukFirat1987) May 29, 2020
Meanwhile, police have also lost control of the Third Precinct building, beating a retreat during an attack on the station in the middle of the night.
The Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct has been set on fire pic.twitter.com/h85rjffLgc
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 29, 2020
Completely surreal. Watching the Third Precinct burn surround by thousands of people in complete anarchy. pic.twitter.com/qNVNAJIlA7
— Mark Vancleave ?+?=? (@MDVancleave) May 29, 2020
In Saint Paul, Minnesota, armed citizens are making the presence felt to prevent looting and damage to their property.
Video appears to show armed citizens protecting businesses in St. Paul after businesses have reportedly been looted and burned down during riots over George Floyd’s death in Minnesota.
?: @ZoomerClips pic.twitter.com/iungft5uvF
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 29, 2020
Another business owner expressed his grief at seeing a business that he had invested his lifesavings into being looted and vandalised.
To the media pretending like the riots aren’t actually riots and are somehow acceptable & only impacting “corporations,” tell that to this guy.
He invested his LIFE savings into this business.pic.twitter.com/tmAzzbrhmt
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) May 29, 2020
Candace Owens meanwhile has criticised George Soros and the Open Societies Foundation for funding the groups behind the protests.
The Minneapolis chief of police just confirmed that many of the protesters that are burning down the city are NOT FROM MINNEAPOLIS.
My guess: As he did with Antifa, Democrat George Soros has these thugs on payroll.
He is funding the chaos via his Open Society Foundation. pic.twitter.com/ZWDQfLUjfa
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 28, 2020
Oh hey!
Just what exactly was the 33 million given to Black Lives Matter for? Education?
Also, we conservatives lament your abhorrent hate rag “Media Matters” which serves only to smear those who speak out against the your beloved Democrat slave ship. https://t.co/SRGe3lLUoF— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 28, 2020
A widely circulated video accuses a Saint Paul police officer of acting as an agent provocateur, and accusation that Saint Paul Police has denied.
RUMOR CONTROL …
We are aware of the social media post that erroneously identifies one of our officers as the person caught on video breaking windows in Minneapolis.
We’ve seen it. We’ve looked into it. And it’s false.
— Saint Paul Police Department (@sppdmn) May 29, 2020
Ohio
On 28 May 2020, protesters broke into the Ohio Statehouse.
So Columbus going crazy right now pic.twitter.com/01K7BJ2NaD
— gavin mounts (@gtmounts) May 29, 2020
Oregon
In Portland, Oregon, looters and arsonists torched numerous downtown buildings and engaged in criminal destruction and theft.
#portland justice center pic.twitter.com/cOCaiBR7fX
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) May 30, 2020
Inside capitol one pic.twitter.com/6iywB6DSwp
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) May 30, 2020
Texas
On the night of 29-30 May 2020, rioters damaged police cars in downtown Dallas.
DALLAS:
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 30, 2020
A similar pattern was noted in Houston, where police cars were damaged by rioters.
Riots in Houston TX
#blacklivesmatter#minneapolis#news#loot#riot#police#riots#icantbreathe#georgefloyd#riot#protest#protests#stealing#cnn#usa#america#ripgeorgefloyd#cops#protesting#minneapolisriot#justiceforgeorgefloyd#tx#mpd#ripgeorgefloyd#houston#nojusticenopeace#texas pic.twitter.com/mHnmpg22ub— ??????_??? (@Owen__Solomon) May 30, 2020
Reaction
Don Lemon, speaking on CNN, expressed his frustration at the FBI’s calls for further video on the incident, pointing out that there was no evidence from any witness that Mr. Floyd was resisting arrest in any way.
So I think what people want to know is, these officers, one of them with eighteen complaints against him, I think sixteen of them still open, another of them has six. I know that people complain, but it’s false some times, but eighteen complaints! Are they going to be arrested or are they not?
Is the justice system going to work with these officers the way that it works with the general public? Someone accuses you of something, the police, guess what they do. They come to get you. They arrest you, and then you have to deal with the legal system. Are we going to have the same legal system for police officers that we have for the average adult?
While calling the incident tragic, Tucker Carlson on Fox News lambasted fellow news stations for race baiting and excusing looting and rioting.
Practically every day, we’re told that white cops are a mortal threat to black men – and some are obviously. It’s what started this whole thing. A black man was killed by the police. Awful!
But what are the national numbers on this? Well, actually, we know the answer. A study from last year found that white police officers were less likely to shoot and kill than non-white suspects than non-white police officers were. In any given year, police kill more white suspects – armed and unarmed – than black suspects. …
Yet no one on television will ever say that because that because that fact threatens the scams they’re working.
Picture by Lorie Shaull from St Paul, United States – A protester confronts police officers on Thursday morning outside the 3rd Police Precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link.