Smashed Squad Cars and Flash Grenades: Minneapolis Erupts in Protest Over George Floyd's Deeply Disturbing Death

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Hong Kong riot police fire tear gas as hundreds of protesters march along a downtown street during a pro-democracy protest against Beijing’s national security legislation in Hong Kong, Sunday, May 24, 2020. Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp has sharply criticised China’s move to enact national security legislation in the semi-autonomous territory. They say it goes against the “one country, two systems” framework that promises the city freedoms not found on the mainland. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
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On Tuesday night, Minneapolis rioted over the terrible death of a man who was held down by police.

Before going forward, it should be made clear that my assessment of the tragedy in Minnesota isn’t informed by any medical data. I have no awareness of the man’s medical history or his official cause of death. Information may be released which indicates powerful factors therein.

Having said that, this is how things appear to me subjectively, for now.

As previously covered by RedState writer Jeff Charles, on Monday, an MPD officer extinguished the life of 46-year-old George Floyd in broad daylight as three of his fellow officers watched in compliance.

The cop wasn’t deterred by bystanders videoing the entire process as they pleaded with him to stop killing the man.

That may seem a bold wording of things, but I don’t know how one might have any different impression from the video.

Why was the cop pressing his knee into the man’s neck — possibly into his carotid artery, which would prevent oxygen from reaching his brain? What purpose did that serve?

Even after Mr. Floyd was unconscious, the lawman — now identified as Derek Chauvin — continued applying the weight of his body to that most vital passageway and delicate neurological column.

The victim told the officers he couldn’t breathe; none did a thing to help him.

So far as I’ve been able to tell, not one of them acted as if anything was out of the ordinary.

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As reported by The Daily Wire, in response to the incident, hundreds of protestors holding signs declaring “Justice 4 Floyd” and “I Can’t Breathe” rallied Tuesday night.

Police in riot gear fought back with rubber bullets, flash grenades, and tear gas.

On protestor explained the group’s goal to Minneapolis’s WCCO:

“We’re here to let them know this can’t be tolerated, there will be severe consequences if they continue to kill us. This will not go on another day.”

More from CBS4:

At about 6 p.m., the protest turned into a march towards the 3rd Precinct, where it is believed that the officers worked. A much smaller group than the initial protest started vandalizing the building, shattering a window and spray painting squad cars.

Citizens “hurled rocks, water bottles and anything they could get their hands on towards the officers.”

Witness the clash:

Star Tribune journalist Andy Mannix provided a personal account:

“Police shooting more tear gas and marking rounds. Guy next to me got nailed with marker from across the street. Truck drove full speed into a bunch of carts and protestors rushed it. Vehicle drove off dragging a cart down Lake. More rain now and people dispersing.”

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Since George Floyd’s death, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo has announced the four officers have been fired.

The mayor expressed his support:

Social media responded, with one person calling the dismissals a “great first step.” That user also leveled charges of racism.

https://twitter.com/HumanitarianGal/status/1265372190410760195

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One tweet pointed to the complicity of another particular man in blue:

As you likely know, police were responding to a report of a “forgery in progress.”

Here’s part of the MPD’s Tuesday statement:

Officers were advised that the suspect was sitting on top of a blue car and appeared to be under the influence. Two officers arrived and located the suspect, a male believed to be in his 40s, in his car. He was ordered to step from his car. After he got out, he physically resisted officers. Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress.  Officers called for an ambulance.  He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center by ambulance where he died a short time later.

At no time were weapons of any type used by anyone involved in this incident.

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Whatever information may not have yet been released, it’s unquestionable that the death of George Floyd is horrific, heartbreaking, ghastly. I doubt we’ve seen or heard the last of it, and I believe we absolutely shouldn’t.

It seems to me that a man was pinned perpetually to the ground for no reason. He had pressure applied to his neck for no reason. He pleaded for help and was given none.

Why wasn’t he put in a car? He was already in cuffs and clearly no longer fighting.

Like you, I await more information.

And like you, I remain deeply disturbed by it all.

It’s an ugly scene in Minneapolis.

I hope we see justice in its most robust form, whatever the facts determine that should be.

-ALEX

 

See 3 more pieces from me:

A Washington Cop Has Been Put on Leave for Standing Up for Your Rights, and He Deserves Your Utmost Attention

WATCH: Arizona Cops Terrorize Family in ‘One of the Most Cruel…Cases of…Misconduct…Ever Seen’

New Yorker Travels to Hawaii for a Getaway But Doesn’t Get Away – From the Cops, for Going to the Beach

Find all my RedState work here.

And please follow Alex Parker on Twitter and Facebook.

Thank you for reading! Please sound off in the Comments section below. 

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