The death of George Floyd has ignited protests and violence across the United States of America. George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after pleading for help as a police officer used his knee on Floyd’s neck to pin him. The officer kneeled on his neck for more than 8 minutes.
Over a dozen major cities, still rocked by a night of violent protests, have implemented nighttime curfews. The hope is that the measures will mitigate the worst of what has been seen in the past few days following the death of Floyd. The protests have resulted in dozens of journalists being injured as well.
More eerie footage from the #WhiteHouse. Situation continues to develop in DC#BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd #USARevolts #Riots2020 #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
https://t.co/GIKehYavLP— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) May 31, 2020
Over 1,000 people were arrested Saturday night alone, per CNN, after peaceful demonstrations turned into violent. In several cases the demonstrations became deadly. Multiple outbreaks of significant violence have been recorded.
Voices of peaceful and legitimate protests have been hijacked by violent radical elements, Attorney General William Barr said
Barr said the above as part of a statement on Sunday. He elaborated further, saying that they are working to “pursue their own separate, violent, and extremist agenda.” Boston’s former Police Chief Daniel Linskey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also have indicated that they believe peaceful protests have been “hijacked” by what they described as outside forces.
This is insane. Both @ChiefLinskey and @GovTimWalz are saying that legitimate outrage is being hijacked by outside forces
"A group outside the US is using this as a way to destabilize our society"#BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd #USARevolts #Riots2020 #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/1qPiOgXgz8
— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) May 31, 2020
“It is time to stop watching the violence and to confront and stop it. The continued violence and destruction of property endangers the lives and livelihoods of others, and interferes with the rights of peaceful protesters, as well as all other citizens,” Barr said.
White House executive office staff received an email on Sunday urging them to stay away from the White House complex. Several memorials in Washington, DC- including the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial- are covered in graffiti. The graffiti included profanity directed at President Trump.
Crazy clip. A private security guard for Q13 Fox Seattle disarmed two rioters and returned firearms to police#BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd #USARevolts #Riots2020 #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
https://t.co/MmD4k2rD5f— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) May 31, 2020
The Associated Press reported that as of Sunday morning, approximately 5,000 National Guard members have been activated in a bid to stem ongoing chaos and civil disturbances in 15 states and Washington, DC. The report also indicated another 2,000 were prepared to activate if needed.
Guardsmen live in the communities they serve and are there to protect their neighbor’s right to protest peacefully, the statement said
The National Guard stressed in a statement that while state and local law enforcement agencies remain responsible for security, National Guard personnel activated in these area are trained, equipped and prepared to assist law enforcement with protecting lives and the property of citizens.
Via @LWarmTakes: "Tonight is a heartbreaking night for the United States of America" 🇺🇸#BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd #USARevolts #Riots2020 #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #DCProtests pic.twitter.com/R3qGTCLQvG
— The Grand Old Tribune 🇺🇸 (@GrandOldTribune) May 31, 2020
As of Sunday afternoon states with activated National Guard are Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington State, and Wisconsin.
At least 83 people were arrested by the Denver Police Department during protests overnight in the state capital. Charges for those arrested included curfew violations, damaging property and having prohibited weapons, among others, the tweet said. One person was arrested prior to the 8pm curfew.
Here is the scene in #Indianapolis at the moment. At least three people have been shot and one is dead amid protests in downtown, per police chief Randal Taylor #BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd #USARevolts #Riots2020 #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
pic.twitter.com/1KXpmiHWUv— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) May 31, 2020
More than 60 Secret Service officers and special agents were injured over the weekend near the White House, as protests rocked Washington, DC. CNN reported that the officers and agents were injured when protesters threw “projectiles such as bricks, rocks, bottles, fireworks and other items.”
Protesters threw objects at officers and pulled temporary fencing away from them. Eleven Secret Service employees were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Things do not appear to be slowing. "Multiple SUVs set on fire near the White House," per CBS News#DCProtests #BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd #USARevolts #Riots2020 #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
pic.twitter.com/n9x7azSQTb— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) May 31, 2020
Chicago looters were organized and targeting specific stores, according to Brendan Reilly, alderman of Chicago’s 42nd Ward. “You don’t go to a peaceful protest having rented a U-Haul truck,” he said. “You can also see there was a pattern in the types of stores that were looted. Nearly every branch of bank in downtown Chicago was vandalized and broken into,” Reilly said.
Reilly said ATM machines were removed and cracked open and pharmacies were specifically targeted for prescription drugs; many were also set on fire.
Check in on #Columbia, South Carolina. Population of around 130,000#BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd #USARevolts #Riots2020 #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
pic.twitter.com/yWwBGsJCdU— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) May 31, 2020
This article was written citing information and media from the AP, CNN, NBC and Fox News. For more sports, news and entertainment follow the Midwest Sports Network on Twitter @MWSNsports or like MWSN on Facebook.
