U.S. protests over Minneapolis death rage on amid political finger-pointing

[rooster59]

U.S. protests over Minneapolis death rage on amid political finger-pointing

By Brendan O'Brien and Carlos Barria

 

Protesters rally against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Columbia, South Carolina, U.S., May 30, 2020. REUTERS/Sam Wolfe

 

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - The full Minnesota National Guard was activated for the first time since World War Two after four nights of civil unrest that has spread to other U.S. cities following the death of a black man shown on video gasping for breath as a white Minneapolis policeman knelt on his neck.

 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the deployment was necessary because outside agitators were using protests over Monday's death of George Floyd to sow chaos and that he expected Saturday night's demonstrations to be the fiercest so far.

 

From Minneapolis to several other major cities including New York, Atlanta and Washington, protesters clashed with police late on Friday in a rising tide of anger over the treatment of minorities by law enforcement.

 

"We are under assault," Walz, a first-term governor elected from Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, told a briefing on Saturday. "Order needs to be restored. ... We will use our full strength of goodness and righteousness to make sure this ends."

 

He said he believed a "tightly controlled" group of outsiders, including white supremacists and drug cartel members, were instigating some of the violence in Minnesota's largest city, but he did not give specific evidence of this when asked by reporters.

 

As many as 80% of those arrested were from outside the state, Walz said. But detention records show just eight non-Minnesota residents have been booked into the Hennepin County Jail since Tuesday, and it was unclear whether all of them were arrested in connection with the Minneapolis unrest.

 

The Republican Trump administration suggested civil disturbances were being orchestrated from the political left.

 

"In many places, it appears the violence is planned, organized and driven by anarchic and left extremist groups - far-left extremist groups ... many of whom travel from outside the state to promote violence," U.S. Attorney William Barr said in a statement.

 

In an extraordinary move, the Pentagon said it put military units on a four-hour alert to be ready if requested by Walz to help keep the peace.

 

Activists staged another round of protests on Saturday in at least a dozen major U.S. cities coast to coast, including Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Atlanta, New York and Atlanta.

 

In the nation's capital, hundreds of demonstrators assembled near the Justice Department headquarters, then marched toward the U.S. Capitol, chanting, "Black lives matter," and "I can't breathe," a rallying cry echoing Floyd's dying words.

 

Many later ended up near the White House, where they faced off with shield-carrying police, some mounted on horseback.

 

The streets of Minneapolis were largely quiet during daylight on Saturday, though several National Guard armored personnel carriers were seen rolling through town.

 

On Friday, in defiance of a newly imposed curfew, Minneapolis protesters took to the streets for a fourth night - albeit in smaller numbers than before - despite the announcement hours earlier of murder charges filed against Derek Chauvin, the policeman seen in video footage kneeling on Floyd's neck.

 

Three other officers fired from the police department with Chauvin on Tuesday are also under criminal investigation in the case, prosecutors said.

 

The video of Floyd's arrest - captured by an onlooker's cellphone as he repeatedly groaned, "please, I can't breathe" before becoming motionless - triggered an outpouring of rage that civil rights activists said has long simmered in Minneapolis and cities across the country over persistent racial bias in the U.S. criminal justice system.

 

'PAINS ME SO MUCH'

 

The mood was somber on Saturday in the Minneapolis neighborhood of Lyndale, where dozens of people surveyed damage while sweeping up broken glass and debris.

 

"It pains me so much," said Luke Kallstrom, 27, a financial analyst, standing in the threshold of a fire-gutted post office. "This does not honor the man who was wrongfully taken away from us."

 

Some of Friday's most chaotic scenes were in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, where police armed with batons and pepper spray made more than 200 arrests in sometimes violent clashes. Several officers were injured, police said.

 

In Washington, President Donald Trump said on Saturday that if protesters who gathered the night before in Lafayette Square, across from the White House, had breached the fence, "they would have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen."

 

CHAOS IN ATLANTA

 

In Atlanta, Bernice King, the youngest daughter of slain civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., urged people to go home on Friday night after more than 1,000 protesters marched to the state capitol and blocked traffic on an interstate highway.

 

The demonstration turned violent at points. Fires burned near the CNN Center, the network's headquarters, and windows were smashed at its lobby. Several vehicles were torched, including at least one police car.

 

Rapper Killer Mike, in an impassioned speech flanked by the city's mayor and police chief, also implored angry residents to stay indoors and to mobilize to win at the ballot box.

 

"But it is not time to burn down your own home."

 

Floyd, a Houston native who had worked security for nightclubs, was arrested on suspicion of trying to pass counterfeit money at a store to buy cigarettes on Monday evening. Police said he was unarmed. An employee who called for help had told a police dispatcher that the suspect appeared to be intoxicated.

 

In a striking coincidence, Floyd and Chauvin had both worked security at the same Latin nightclub in Minneapolis, though it was unlikely they ever interacted, former owner Maya Santamaria, who sold the El Nuevo Rodeo club in January, told Reuters.

 

Santamaria said Floyd worked inside the club on certain nights, supporting other staff with security. She said Chauvin, who worked outside the club as an off-duty cop for 16 years, had a reputation for roughing up customers, but she considered him responsible and a friend.

 

(Reporting Brendan O'Brien and Carlos Barria in Minneapolis; Additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles, Rich McKay in Atlanta, Andy Sullivan in Washington, and Nathan Layne in Wilton, Connecticut; Editing by Frances Kerry and Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-31

 

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[Cryingdick]

It is beginning to seem that Reuters is the only source of news that TV is allowed to use. 

[Mama Noodle]

14 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

He said he believed a "tightly controlled" group of outsiders, including white supremacists

 

????

 

Yeah right, the illusive white supremacist cells sparking riots. 

 

Couldn't possibly leftwing antifa. Nope, gotta be white supremacists. 

[jimmybcool]

6 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

????

 

Yeah right, the illusive white supremacist cells sparking riots. 

 

Couldn't possibly leftwing antifa. Nope, gotta be white supremacists. 

It would be funny except for the fact lots of media will report it as if there is some validity to it.  And many will swallow it hook line and sinker.  

[Mama Noodle]

Just now, jimmybcool said:

It would be funny except for the fact lots of media will report it as if there is some validity to it.  And many will swallow it hook line and sinker.  

 

And a-lot of that same media will knowingly keep perpetuating these racial tensions by doing so, which is what they want anyway, as it sells. And low info buffoons will gobble it up like fact. 

[Cryingdick]

I remember when the rednecks peacefully assembled with guns on the steps of the capitol. They were ridiculed to death over it for not social distancing and bringing arms. Yet not one person died. 

 

No stone was thrown, no shattered glass, no fires and not a single shot discharged. It was the height of self-induced discipline and an outstanding example of how protests and such matters are usually conducted.

 

 

 

Edited May 31, 2020 by Cryingdick

[Mama Noodle]

1 minute ago, Cryingdick said:

I remember when the rednecks peacefully assembled with guns on the steps of the capitol. They were ridiculed to death over it for not social distancing and bringing arms. Yet not one person died. 

 

And rarely, if any, laws were broken - yet social media and TV is rife with racial comparisons. 

[Cryingdick]

1 minute ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

And rarely, if any, laws were broken - yet social media and TV is rife with racial comparisons. 

 

They were arrested or cited for social distancing guidelines which were never legal to begin with. Can I swim now, mayor?

[Tug]

4 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

I remember when the rednecks peacefully assembled with guns on the steps of the capitol. They were ridiculed to death over it for not social distancing and bringing arms. Yet not one person died. 

 

No stone was thrown, no shattered glass, no fires and not a single shot discharged. It was the height self induced discipline and an outstanding example of how protests and such matters are usually conducted.

 

 

 

Oh yes I rember that when an armed milita invaded the states house during the pandemic screaming in someone’s face unmasked yes I do rember that that sir was not a good look imo that cop hopefully will do some serious time for killing a handcuffed man no excuses none I do hope the rioting stops enough division 

[Cryingdick]

This whole affair is an unfortunate example of mental illness that was caused by social distancing. Now we face economic hardship. So looting becomes more appealing as the realization that Pelosi can not provide $2,000 a month for every American citizen and a select handful of illegals dawns on people. 

 

I think things will get pretty ugly from here. 75% decrease in the value of homes in urban areas as people flee the virus and now this. 

 

 

[Cryingdick]

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

Oh yes I rember that when an armed milita invaded the states house during the pandemic screaming in someone’s face unmasked yes I do rember that that sir was not a good look imo that cop hopefully will do some serious time for killing a handcuffed man no excuses none I do hope the rioting stops enough division 

 

Did they break your windows and burn down your shop? You might not have an idea of how bad it is in Minneapolis now. I grew up there. I know the buildings. 187 of them. They burnt down Lake Street which is the main strip in the ghetto and leads right to Ilhan Omar's place at Cedar Riverside. 

 

The only beneficiaries of this riot will be by much smarter people. 

Edited May 31, 2020 by Cryingdick

[Mama Noodle]

1 minute ago, Tug said:

Oh yes I rember that when an armed milita invaded the states house during the pandemic screaming in someone’s face unmasked yes I do rember that that sir was not a good look imo

 

Do you believe that if black militia members did exactly the same after Floyd was murdered that they would be treated any differently than white militia members at the statehouse?

 

They would not be treated any differently, and everyone knows it. Looting, riots, lighting fires of building with PEOPLE INSIDE are what the problem is. 

[Cryingdick]

1 minute ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

Do you believe that if black militia members did exactly the same after Floyd was murdered that they would be treated any differently than white militia members at the statehouse?

 

They would not be treated any differently, and everyone knows it. Looting, riots, lighting fires of building with PEOPLE INSIDE are what the problem is. 

The second amendment was designed for if the first ever collapses. 

[jimmybcool]

4 minutes ago, Tug said:

Oh yes I rember that when an armed milita invaded the states house during the pandemic screaming in someone’s face unmasked yes I do rember that that sir was not a good look imo that cop hopefully will do some serious time for killing a handcuffed man no excuses none I do hope the rioting stops enough division 

Have you already convicted the cop?  I for one want a thorough investigation.   Since he has already been arrested apparently they think he broke a law so a trial.  if they find him guilty THEN I want him doing serious time.  But hey, let's back up the truck and have a trial first?  Don't ya think?

 

 

[Cryingdick]

3 minutes ago, jimmybcool said:

Have you already convicted the cop?  I for one want a thorough investigation.   Since he has already been arrested apparently they think he broke a law so a trial.  if they find him guilty THEN I want him doing serious time.  But hey, let's back up the truck and have a trial first?  Don't ya think?

 

 

 

The toxicology test comes to mind as a feasible defense for starters. Where was the counterfeit from? It's not like he was picked off the street for no reason. So it will be interesting as new evidence is released. The family got some specialist in such injuries who did the Epstein report. 

 

But a toxicology test will be the key to the defense if there is any defense.

Edited May 31, 2020 by Cryingdick

[Tug]

4 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Did they break your windows and burn down your shop? You might not have an idea of how bad it is in Minneapolis now. I grew up there. I know the buildings. 187 of them. They burnt down Lake Street which is the main strip in the ghetto and leads right to Ilhan Omar's place at Cedar Riverside. 

 

The only beneficiaries of this riot will be by much smarter people. 

Did they choke one of your brethren to death when handcuffed under color of authority?did they come into your home and shoot you or your brethren under color of authority?people of color are <deleted> off and rightfully imo aren’t going to tolerate it anymore that beeing said I hope it stops and we try unity instead of division 

[Tug]

8 minutes ago, jimmybcool said:

Have you already convicted the cop?  I for one want a thorough investigation.   Since he has already been arrested apparently they think he broke a law so a trial.  if they find him guilty THEN I want him doing serious time.  But hey, let's back up the truck and have a trial first?  Don't ya think?

 

 

You did see the video yes?the dude was cuffed no excuses non

[Cryingdick]

1 minute ago, Tug said:

Did they choke one of your brethren to death when handcuffed under color of authority?did they come into your home and shoot you or your brethren under color of authority?people of color are <deleted> off and rightfully imo aren’t going to tolerate it anymore that beeing said I hope it stops and we try unity instead of division 

 

Did they continue to terrorize me and steal my  groceries when I lived off of Lake Street? Was it nice to be in the minority in that neighborhood? Was it nice when a drive by hit some white kid? I do not think you know the extent of urban decay that was a direct result of the gang violence from around 1990 to at least 2002.

 

Here is the funny part. The areas they burnt down now will have sharp price drops. This will enable smart people to buy at fraction and gentrify these places. A lot of what they are burning is a tear down anyway.

[Tazman2010]

It is kicking off in Columbus Ohio right now as well.  A congresswoman has just been pepper sprayed.  Looks like the US is melting down over a long fueled racial inequity divide.  Maybe that Civil War people predicted a few years back will end up taking shape.  I surely hope not.

[Cryingdick]

6 minutes ago, Tazman2010 said:

It is kicking off in Columbus Ohio right now as well.  A congresswoman has just been pepper sprayed.  Looks like the US is melting down over a long fueled racial inequity divide.  Maybe that Civil War people predicted a few years back will end up taking shape.  I surely hope not.

Welcome back to the forum. 

Edited May 31, 2020 by Cryingdick

[DoctorG]

Even without the travel restrictions I think I would be delaying my trip back to the US at the moment.

[LomSak27]

5 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

This whole affair is an unfortunate example of mental illness that was caused by social distancing.

At least I get some comedy this morning. 

[Lacessit]

22 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Did they continue to terrorize me and steal my  groceries when I lived off of Lake Street? Was it nice to be in the minority in that neighborhood? Was it nice when a drive by hit some white kid? I do not think you know the extent of urban decay that was a direct result of the gang violence from around 1990 to at least 2002.

 

Here is the funny part. The areas they burnt down now will have sharp price drops. This will enable smart people to buy at fraction and gentrify these places. A lot of what they are burning is a tear down anyway.

As far as I can make out, what you are posting offers no solutions. It more indicates to me you are part of the problem.

Having been in America quite a few times when I was working, I saw the way many lower-class whites treated blacks. If I was treated that way, I'd be wanting to burn property too.

[Tug]

29 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Did they continue to terrorize me and steal my  groceries when I lived off of Lake Street? Was it nice to be in the minority in that neighborhood? Was it nice when a drive by hit some white kid? I do not think you know the extent of urban decay that was a direct result of the gang violence from around 1990 to at least 2002.

 

Here is the funny part. The areas they burnt down now will have sharp price drops. This will enable smart people to buy at fraction and gentrify these places. A lot of what they are burning is a tear down anyway.

I had a black lady tennat in one of my rentals she did 40k worth of damage to my house I’ve been wronged by a person of color before at that same location a black family bought the house next to mine a husband wife and 3 kids 1 boy and 2 girls I freaked out I confess lol all the usual bs (to my eternal shame) anyway mom and dad go on vacation as soon as they left the contractors showed up the son surprised his mom with a new kitchen a absolutely lovely family so it can go both ways let’s respect and live peacefully together enough division 

[Phil McCaverty]

1 hour ago, Mama Noodle said:

 

And rarely, if any, laws were broken - yet social media and TV is rife with racial comparisons. 

Charlottesville

[Cryingdick]

16 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

As far as I can make out, what you are posting offers no solutions. It more indicates to me you are part of the problem.

Having been in America quite a few times when I was working, I saw the way many lower-class whites treated blacks. If I was treated that way, I'd be wanting to burn property too.

There are no solutions to this sort of stupidity. There is no need to sugar coat it.

 

Actions have consequences. 

Edited May 31, 2020 by Cryingdick

[Phil McCaverty]

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

It is beginning to seem that Reuters is the only source of news that TV is allowed to use. 

What would you prefer? Breitbart? Fox news? Maybe TV should only report news via Trump tweets!

[Cryingdick]

2 minutes ago, Phil McCaverty said:

What would you prefer? Breitbart? Fox news? Maybe TV should only report news via Trump tweets!

 

You could probably learn more from Trump tweets at least they are not doctored. I trade his. tweets all the time.

Edited May 31, 2020 by Cryingdick

[lannarebirth]

1 minute ago, Phil McCaverty said:

What would you prefer? Breitbart? Fox news? Maybe TV should only report news via Trump tweets!

 

Actually, Twitter is providing much better coverage on the ground right now, but posting it is not allowed.

[canopus1969]

2 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

It is beginning to seem that Reuters is the only source of news that TV is allowed to use. 

Be thankful they do not use Fox !

Edited May 31, 2020 by canopus1969