Following the death of George Floyd, Chaos broke out on Tuesday night in Minneapolis. Protesters took to the streets to demand action as a result of the police brutality that caused his death.
Reports say the police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades on some protesters. Although the protest started peacefully, the situation worsened and some protesters were seen breaking windows of police cars and throwing rocks.
The relationship between the black community and the police is hanging on a tight rope. With cases of brutality on the rise, Floyd’s death sparked new tensions between police and the black community. “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,” a protester said, via Minneapolis’s WCCO-TV.
The protests began on the south side of Minneapolis; the are Floyd was arrested. Protesters were seen sitting in the crosswalks and using their own vehicles to block traffic. The chaos began during the day. Some carried placards saying: “I can’t breathe” and “Jail killer KKKops,” according to reports.
The protesters continued to block traffic during the evening. As the crowd grew larger, the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota reminded protesters to keep their distance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The protesters later moved toward the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd precinct. Thats where protesters lost it. People were seen throwing rocks at the building, as well as at police cruisers . In addition, vandalizing properties with spray paint.
Protesters threw water and milk bottles at the officers, hurling words likes “pigs” and “how could you,” the Guardian reported. The Police then fired green teargas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd approaching the station. People are starting to this escalate into a violent protest. “It’s real ugly. The police have to understand that this is the climate they have created, this is the climate they created,” a protester said, according to WCCO. Demonstrators can be seen using carts at a Target store as cover before police launched the tear gas.
Celebrities have taken to their social media account to show their displeasure in the continuous attacks on the black community. “Protesting” form home i guess.
The four officers involved have been dismissed. Klobuchar called it; a step in the right direction. “Those responsible must still be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” she added. “Justice must be served.”
