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.
"I CAN'T BREATHE": Video shows George Floyd, a black man that police say was a possible "forgery" suspect, pleading with Minneapolis cops for air as they press a knee into his neck. Floyd loses consciousness and later dies.
Click here for the full video: https://t.co/gD3hBFhbgL pic.twitter.com/h5SabBHR7M
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 26, 2020
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:
RAW VIDEO: Protesters inside Minneapolis Police's 3rd Precinct parking lot smashing squad cars, before officers show up and fire flash grenades inside to get them to disperse. WARNING: This video contains violence and strong language. READ MORE: https://t.co/HZTamsXTCN pic.twitter.com/Cktz07ftSg
— WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) May 27, 2020
Shots fired @ Minneapolis protests #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/vfN5s6Gki7
— Evie (@EvelynDornquast) May 27, 2020
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.”
Police shooting more tear gas and marking rounds. Guy next to me got nailed w 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 ppl dispersing pic.twitter.com/RdzZtJTBhj
— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) May 27, 2020
Since George Floyd’s death, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo has announced the four officers have been fired.
The mayor expressed his support:
Four responding MPD officers involved in the death of George Floyd have been terminated.
This is the right call.
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) May 26, 2020
Social media responded, with one person calling the dismissals a “great first step.” That user also leveled charges of racism.
This is a great first step for #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd. Next steps is for the DA to arrest these officers for the strangling death of Mr. Floyd. Also out of respect for his family can we stop retweeting the triggering horrible video of his death by the hands of these racist cops pic.twitter.com/D31K7mr9Ke
— Shawn The Progressive Black Techie (@ShawnVee07) May 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/HumanitarianGal/status/1265372190410760195
The officer putting all his weight on this defenseless man’s neck is a PUNK! He’s a big man hiding behind a badge with his buddies there having his back. I want to see how this 98 pound weakling fares when someone finds him alone on the street without the badge or backup.
— RoaringMatLions (@LionsMat) May 26, 2020
Absolute scum. To have kept his knee and weight on this man’s neck after having been told by the deceased that he couldn’t breath, and to continue to keep his knee pressed on the neck even when the deceased became unresponsive is sickening. Nothing less than life for murder here.
— JohnnyBravoC (@JohnnyBravoC1) May 26, 2020
This officer needs to go to prison ASAP ! Why is it that when a man kills a police officer or anyone else they get life or death, but an officer kills an innocent man on the ground, or at least a defenseless man and just gets fired! This is so wrong
— Kevin Martínez (@KevinMa12574211) May 27, 2020
I think he will get jail time if not all of them. The FBI is handling the case. Whats dumb is he’s not being held in prison until his court case, as anyone else would be..
— Bryan (@BryansVideo) May 27, 2020
If police officers start getting sent to prison for murder maybe they will stop acting like self proclaimed judge, jury and executioners.
— Laura Taylor (@Elleighty) May 27, 2020
One tweet pointed to the complicity of another particular man in blue:
Tou is equally guilty of a hate crime capital murder and they should be charged by the Federal Government so they can be put to death as a penalty…. pic.twitter.com/N0xFNFWljD
— Charles Fuchs (@cafweston) May 26, 2020
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.
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
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