Tipsheet

They've Arrived: National Guard, Police Deployed Just in Time to Protect the Smoldering Ruins of Minneapolis

Matt Vespa
Matt Vespa  |  May 29, 2020 4:16 PM

Our own Julio Rosas is on the ground in Minneapolis, covering the riots that have engulfed the city. Over 170 businesses have been impacted by the looting, vandalism, and overall mayhem that has erupted over the past couple of days. Rosas has been in the thick of it, saying he's never experienced anything quite like what he's witnessing in the Mill City. And Rosas has covered scores of protests, including ones with Antifa members. This is a riot, however. The police headquarters in the third precinct of the city was abandoned and set ablaze by rioters. Police and other first responders were pretty much told to stand down as the city burned. It was total anarchy last night.

Where was the National Guard? They were requested. They said they would be deployed, though it would only be 500 troops. That is not going to be enough to quell the crowds and return order to the situation. Well, Rosas reported earlier today that Guard units and other law enforcement detachments have arrived just in time to protect the burned-out structures of the city.

"Unlike Thursday, the Minnesota National Guard and law enforcement have arrived in the area of the third precinct station in force. They have secured the shopping area and the looting of the Target and nearby stores have finally stopped. As of the afternoon, things are relatively calm and peaceful," he said.

Well, wait until nightfall. We'll see what happens. He nabbed some photos of businesses that were fortifying their storefronts, establishments that blessedly escaped serious damage last night, but who knows what will happen in a few hours.

The riots were sparked by the horrific death of George Floyd, who died in police custody. He was arrested on a false document charge, but while he was handcuffed and lying on his stomach, a police officer kept his knee on his neck for nearly ten minutes. Floyd can be heard yelling at the officer that he couldn't breathe. Floyd later died. All four officers involved were fired. The former officer who placed his knee on Floyd's neck, Derek Chauvin, has been arrested on third-degree murder and manslaughter charges. The FBI and Department of Justice are also investigating Floyd's death as well.

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Stay safe out there, Julio.