Whatever law and order once existed in Philadelphia is gone now.
Rioters looted businesses and destroyed cop cars, ransacking through police vehicles in an apparent search for weapons and other items.
POLICE CARS DESTROYED: Rioters destroy a line of police cars, ghost riding them into each other and setting them on fire in West Philadelphia.
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) May 31, 2020
MORE: https://t.co/Xm93XDEQV4 pic.twitter.com/8qcjnBHaHI
As police left their patrol cars to protect businesses, many of them minority-owned, rioters set fire to the parked police vehicles.
The @PhillyPolice arrived to help save businesses where many of the poorest residents shop for food&clothes on S. 52nd Street. Many are minority owned businesses&police vehicles were then Vandalized as officers were outside at the stores, then vehicles set on fire @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/j7u9stkmUX
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 31, 2020
NOW BEING SET ON FIRE @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/y0zlEd4Qfq
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 31, 2020
A mob of looters descended on SunRay Drugs in West Philadelphia.
Looters overrun SunRay Drugs in West Philadelphia
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) May 31, 2020
MORE: https://t.co/Xm93XDEQV4 pic.twitter.com/syW6YsegPb
SECOND DAY OF LOOTING. And it’s even sadder with today’s stores being hit. They are where people without cars walk to for food, medicine & clothing. Not ritzy designer shops like Center City’s but places poorer Philadelphia residents rely on for essentials. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/9ChYgt8TEu
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 31, 2020
This is the scene in Philadelphia
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 31, 2020
pic.twitter.com/cejAIntiAs
President Trump tweeted "Law & Order in Philadelphia, NOW!" and called for the state to send in the National Guard as other states are now doing in response to the riots.
Law & Order in Philadelphia, NOW! They are looting stores. Call in our great National Guard like they FINALLY did (thank you President Trump) last night in Minneapolis. Is this what voters want with Sleepy Joe? All Dems!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2020
Philadelphia police reported 215 arrests on Sunday afternoon, and the city ordered all retail stores to close as the widespread looting continues. An overnight curfew will remain in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
On Saturday, President Trump warned liberal governors and mayors to toughen their response to the destructive riots or risk a response from the federal government.