For the third night in a row, protests and riots rocked Minneapolis in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer. Stores were once again looted and buildings set on fire as protesters demanded justice for Floyd’s death. The Fifth Precinct police building is currently burning and authorities are warning of a possible gas leak in the area.
Floyd, who was suspected of forgery, died after a police officer inexplicably pinned him to the ground with his knee, holding him down as he begged for mercy. The officer remained in that position until Floyd, who was unarmed and subdued with handcuffs at the time, became lifeless. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Four police officers were summarily fired after video of the horrific, indefensible act was made public.
Julio Rosas, from PJ Media’s sister site Townhall, is on the scene in Minneapolis. His tweets show the violence escalating throughout the night and a very dangerous situation developing.
On the ground in Minneapolis for @townhallcom and surveying the damage from last night's riots in the aftermath of George Floyd's death. Looting is still occuring. pic.twitter.com/RFP52T3D2S
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 28, 2020
🚨🚨🚨Things have escalated as Minneapolis police moved in and rioters are starting to throw bottles and other items at the cop cars, resulting in police responding with tear gas and pepper spray. pic.twitter.com/GrZYBhG6yw
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 28, 2020
A car is on fire in the Target's parking lot. pic.twitter.com/TUJdKrTuYA
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
🚨🚨🚨: Rioters have torn down the fencing around the 3rd precinct's police building. pic.twitter.com/iKbY8QJw4q
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
Rioters have formed a makeshift barricade so that they can have cover as they continue to throw objects at police. Police continue to respond with tear gas and flashbangs. pic.twitter.com/xng1oPvGpy
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
🚨🚨🚨: Can't believe what I'm seeing the Minneapolis police has ABANDONED the 3rd precinct's building!! Rioters have stormed in the parking lot and are now damaging the building.
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
These were taken in the 3rd precinct's parking lot after police abandoned the building. Trying to get video up but my data is terrible in this area. pic.twitter.com/oLiwk09mn6
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
This is the moment when Minneapolis police officers abandoned the 3rd precinct building. Rioters chased them as they left and continued to throw objects at the police vehicles. pic.twitter.com/KoxAAYiUIN
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
Governor Tim Walz has ordered 500 National Guard troops to the area and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has declared a state of emergency in the city. City officials warned that a gas line may have been cut at the third precinct, which could turn the city into a powder keg as rioters set off fireworks in the area and thousands of protesters congregate around the burning police station.
We're hearing unconfirmed reports that gas lines to the Third Precinct have been cut and other explosive materials are in the building.
If you are near the building, for your safety, PLEASE RETREAT in the event the building explodes.
— City of Minneapolis (@CityMinneapolis) May 29, 2020
Police have abandoned the area, leaving their building to burn as protesters celebrate its destruction.
Update 1:36 a.m.: President Trump has weighed in on the riots:
….These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
In addition to Minneapolis, there are ongoing protests in St. Paul, Minn., Memphis, Tenn., Louisville, Ky., Denver, Colo., Columbus, Ohio, and Los Angeles California.
Update 2:21 a.m.: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told reporters that “the symbolism of a building cannot outweigh the importance of life, our officers, or the public. We could not risk serious injury to anyone and we will continue to patrol the third precinct entirely. We will continue to do our jobs in that area. Brick and mortar is not as important as life.”
Asked what the plan was, Frey said, “There is a lot of pain and anger right now in our city I understand that. Our entire city recognizes that. What we have seen over the past several hours and past couple of nights in terms of looting is unacceptable. Our communities cannot and will not tolerate it. These are businesses, these are community institutions that we need. These are banks that people rely on to get cash. Grocery stores that people rely on to get food. These are pharmacies that people rely on to get medicine. They are essential to our community. We need to make sure that they are protected, and so we are working with our officers right now.”
“We are doing absolutely everything we can to keep the peace,” he added, saying the decision to abandon the third precinct “comes down to public safety.”
This is a developing story.
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