Overwhelming show of force from law enforcement restores measure of order in Minneapolis
National Guard soldiers and local officers from surrounding cities bolster police presence in Minneapolis; Garrett Tenney reports.
More than a dozen U.S. cities -- still reeling from a grim night of violent riots -- have implemented nighttime curfews in an effort to mitigate the worst of what they have seen in the days following the death of George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man who died in police custody after a white officer kneeled on his neck for more than 8 minutes in a moment caught on cellphone video.
More than 1,000 people were arrested Saturday night alone after peaceful demonstrations turned into violent -- and in some cases deadly -- riots. Meanwhile, some 5,000 National Guard members have been deployed in at least 15 states in a desperate bid to stem the mayhem, chaos and wreckage.
Attorney General William Barr said in a statement Sunday that as the rioting spreads in cities across the country, "voices of peaceful and legitimate protests have been hijacked by violent radical elements" and that they are working to "pursue their own separate, violent, and extremist agenda."
"It is time to stop watching the violence and to confront and stop it. The continued violence and destruction of property endangers the lives and livelihoods of others, and interferes with the rights of peaceful protesters, as well as all other citizens," Barr said.
GEORGE FLOYD DEATH: THE CITIES WHERE PEOPLE ARE PROTESTING AND RIOTING
Barr said the violence "instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups" in connection with the rioting is "domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly.”
"It also undercuts the urgent work that needs to be done – through constructive engagement between affected communities and law enforcement leaders – to address legitimate grievances," the attorney general said. "Preventing reconciliation and driving us apart is the goal of these radical groups, and we cannot let them succeed."
Los Angeles Police Department commander Cory Palka stands among several destroyed police cars as one explodes while on fire during a protest over the death of George Floyd, Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
At Tony K’s Shoe Store in Los Angeles, owner Alan Kokozian said his entire product stock was either stolen or damaged after violent riots in the nation's second-largest city.
Kokozian said he was hit in the head with a flying bottle as he pleaded with looters to spare his establishment Saturday evening.
A protester holding a sign stands behind the burning trash cans during a protest over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
“This was not a political protest. This was basically a bunch of thieves getting together taking advantage of a situation,” Kokozian said Sunday as he surveyed the hole in his roof caused by fire.
In New York City, the NYPD said at least 345 people were arrested and at least 47 police vehicles damaged or destroyed during the incidents on Saturday. A total of 33 police officers were also injured. In Beverly Hills, Calif., shops along the storied Rodeo Drive were looted as a crowd estimated at more than 2,000 people chanted "Eat the rich!'
The protests were sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis cop, Derek Chauvin, was seen kneeling on his neck in a viral video.
A Champ's Sports store in Tampa was burned to the ground as protests turned violent Saturday night. (Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister)
Chauvin has been fired and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, and the U.S. Justice Department is investigating the case.
Crowds across the nation have seized on the racially charged incident to demand justice, but the protests have turned increasingly violent, culminating in a weekend of carnage.
Smoke rises from a fire on a police cruiser in Center City during the Justice for George Floyd Philadelphia Protest on Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
“We’re sick of it. The cops are out of control,” protester Olga Hall told the Associated Press during a demonstration in Washington, D.C. “They’re wild. There’s just been too many dead boys.”
New York Police officers push back protesters as a police car burns during a demonstration, Saturday, May 30, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
In New York, a woman was charged Saturday with attempted murder after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail into a police squad car in Brooklyn. Cars were set ablaze in the borough, and in Manhattan's usually peaceful Union Square, where cops squared off against protesters late into the night.
Protesters turned violent after a video circulated online showing an NYPD SUV ramming into a group of protesters in Brooklyn.
Policemen surround a NYPD vehicle after it was vandalized by protestors over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in police custody in Minneapolis, on Saturday, May 30, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. ((AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday that city police showed “tremendous restraint overall," but he said was concerned about video showing two police cruisers lurching into a crowd of demonstrators on a Brooklyn street. He was appointing two city officials to conduct an independent review of how the protests unfolded and how they were handled by the police.
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“We all better get back to the humanity here,” de Blasio said at a briefing. “The protesters are human beings. They need to be treated with tremendous respect. The police officers are human beings. They need to be treated with tremendous respect.”
These were other notable events from Saturday into Sunday:
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles County as hundreds of looters converged on downtown stores and clashed with cops. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a curfew for Saturday night after 500 people were arrested and five police officers were hurt as protests turned violent.
- Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot imposed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. after hundreds of protesters gathered at Federal Plaza for a demonstration organized by Black Lives Matter. Police cars were set ablaze and covered with anti-cop graffiti and demonstrators were reportedly arrested near Trump Tower. Four people were shot, one fatally, during protests Saturday in downtown Chicago, FOX32 reported.
- Some 13 Philadelphia police officers were injured and more than a dozen people arrested as cars were burned and businesses vandalized before midnight. Mayor Jim Kenney implemented a mandatory citywide curfew starting at 8 p.m. and lasting until 6 a.m.Sunday.
- In Indianapolis, two people were shot and killed as protests morphed into mob violence, according to Police Chief Randal Taylor.
- In Denver, a car rammed into a police vehicle, "severely" injuring three officers and a civilian and rioters armed with crowbars, baseball bats, assault rifles and handguns attacked cops and peaceful protesters, according to Police Chief Paul Pazen.
- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee activated 200 National Guard members after rioting in Seattle intensified. After protesters shut down Interstate 5 through central Seattle, police used flash bangs and pepper spray to scatter them.
Violent protests, vandalism, and riots were reported in dozens of other cities.
Damage to police vehicles and assaults against law enforcement officers Saturday night prompted San Francisco Mayor London Breed to call for an immediate curfew until 5 a.m. local time -- and to request that California National Guard personnel be placed on standby.
Protesters march down the street as trash burns in the background during a solidarity rally for George Floyd, Saturday, May 30, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
"What we are seeing tonight -- the violence, the vandalism and the crimes being committed in our city, not against property but against other people -- that is something that we will not tolerate," Breed said, according to FOX 2 of the Bay Area.
"What we are seeing tonight -- the violence, the vandalism and the crimes being committed in our city, not against property but against other people -- that is something that we will not tolerate."
Across the bay in Emeryville, a popular shopping destination, looters appeared to be running rampant, smashing windows, and stealing items from popular stores including Best Buy, BevMo, and Urban Outfitters, according to the report.
In addition, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles County, FOX 11 reported.
NATIONAL GUARD ACTIVATED IN NEARLY A DOZEN STATES AMID UNREST OVER GEORGE FLOYD DEATH
Many cities stepped up police presence, with TV and social media showing images of rioters being hit with pepper spray or rubber bullets.
In Ohio, 70-year-old U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty was among a group of people hit with pepper spray as police looked to gain control in Columbus, the state capital.
"I'm ok. Was just trying my best to deescalate the situation," Beatty wrote on Twitter afterward.
OHIO DEM REP, OTHER OFFICIALS PEPPER-SPRAYED DURING PROTEST IN COLUMBUS
Earlier Saturday, President Trump condemned the riots that had taken place in previous days, vowing to stop what he labeled "mob violence."
“The memory of Floyd is being dishonored by rioters, looters, and anarchists,” Trump said, blaming "Antifa and other radical left-wing groups for terrorizing the innocent, destroying jobs, hurting businesses and burning down buildings."
Trump appeared to cheer on the tougher tactics Saturday night, commending the National Guard deployment in Minneapolis, declaring “No games!” and saying police in New York City “must be allowed to do their job!”
Later Saturday, presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden called the protests "utterly American," while also calling for an end to "needless destruction."
National Guard arrives
Police in riot gear prepare to advance on protesters, Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
In Utah, the National Guard arrived in Salt Lake City after protests turned violent.
Police vehicles were targeted and set on fire Saturday, prompting Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, to call for an 8 p.m. curfew that will last until 6 a.m. Monday.
Police forces appeared overly rough with an elderly man watching the protests, and knocked him to the ground.
Only minor injuries were reported for police and protesters.
In Atlanta, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms established a curfew starting at 9 p.m. Saturday following Friday night's violent protests.
An Atlanta Police Department vehicle burns during a demonstration against police violence, Friday, May 29, 2020 in Atlanta. The protest started peacefully earlier in the day before demonstrators clashed with police. (Associated Press)
The protests continued Saturday and police arrested demonstrators who were blocking traffic.
Security officials surrounded Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's house as crowds of protesters gathered near the mansion. A brick was reportedly thrown at one of the police officers.
People hold signs and shout behind a burning police vehicle in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 30, 2020, during a protest over the death of George Floyd. (Associated Press)
Mayor Bottoms denounced the riots at a Saturday news conference.
"When you run it down the street with a Gucci bag, that's not about black people dying in America," she said. "That's about killing ourselves when we do things like that."
"When you run it down the street with a Gucci bag, that's not about black people dying in America. That's about killing ourselves when we do things like that."
Overnight curfews were imposed in more than a dozen major cities nationwide, including Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Seattle.
At least 13 police officers were injured in Philadelphia, and at least four police vehicles were set on fire.
The protest had originally started peacefully in front of City Hall as hundreds of people kneeled in silence in honor of George Floyd.
FOX NEWS CREW CHASED, ATTACKED BY ANGRY MOB WHILE REPORTING ON PROTESTS OUTSIDE WHITE HOUSE
“We appreciate their voice and their manner of expression. However, since that time, others have convened in Center City and are committing criminal acts, including vandalism. Those acts will not be tolerated,” the Philadelphia Police Department tweeted.
About 3,000 demonstrators took to the streets in Chicago on Saturday, filling the streets and climbing on cars and buses.
Police and protesters clashed in front of the Trump International Hotel and Tower after police with helmets and batons pushed demonstrators out of the way so a police car could get through.
Bottles and fireworks were reportedly thrown at police officers in front of the hotel.
Video posted to Twitter showed what appeared to be Chicago police officers being swarmed, hit and dragged by protesters.
In Chicago, 108 people were reportedly arrested, but no serious injuries were reported.
But police responded to more than a dozen “police emergencies” as they tried to control the crowds.
In Washington, protesters again converged outside the White House, with some climbing on top of Secret Service cars and pushing security barricades further down Pennsylvania Avenue.
POLICE CHIEFS ACROSS US CONDEMN OFFICERS INVOLVED IN GEORGE FLOYD DEATH
On Sunday, maintenance crews near the White House worked to replace windows that had been completely shattered with large pieces of wood.
Buildings for blocks were marked with graffiti, including curses about Trump and anti-police sentiments. Shattered glass still covered the sidewalks. The damaged buildings included the Department of Veterans Affairs, directly across the street from the White House.
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President Trump had praised the Secret Service's action Friday night by saying the protesters would “...have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons,” had they crossed the White House fence. But Trump criticized D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for not letting D.C. police get involved, quoting her as saying “not their job.”
Bowser fired back, first calling Trump's comments “gross” and saying his reference to attack dogs ignited the worst memories in America’s fight against segregation.
"We are grieving hundreds of years of institutional racism," Bowser said. "People are tired, sad, angry, and desperate for change."
PROTESTS DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD RAMP UP AGAIN NATIONWIDE
Bowser, who was joined by D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham, also said that Trump’s claims regarding the D.C. police were false.
A protester shouts in front of a fire during a protest over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis, in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
D.C. police were present, along with U.S. Park Police, Friday night, and were ready to help Secret Service in Layfette Park, the area where protestors gathered in front of the White House, as they have done in the past.
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Trump has responded to the nationwide protests by blaming liberal leaders and threatening use of the military involvement.
In a tweet Sunday morning, Trump said the National Guard did a "great job" immediately upon arriving in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
"The ANTIFA led anarchists, among others, were shut down quickly. Should have been done by Mayor on first night and there would have been no trouble!" the president tweeted.
The show of force in Minneapolis came after three days in which police largely avoided engaging protesters, and after the state poured more than 4,000 National Guard troops into Minneapolis. Authorities said that number would soon rise to nearly 11,000.
People clear the area after curfew Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
“The situation in Minneapolis is no longer in any way about the murder of George Floyd,” said Gov. Tim Walz, who also said local forces had been overmatched the previous day. “It is about attacking civil society, instilling fear, and disrupting our great cities.”
Some residents were glad to see the upheaval dissipating.
“l live here. I haven’t been able to sleep,” said Iman Muhammad, whose neighborhood saw multiple fires set Friday night. Muhammad said she sympathized with peaceful protests over Floyd’s death but disagreed with the violence: “Wrong doesn’t answer wrong.”
Fox News' Lucia Suarez, Travis Fedschun, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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