Minneapolis Burns: Tension Grows in US Over Police Killing of Black Man

Protests are already spreading to the national level.

For the fourth day, protests have continued in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, over the death of local Black resident George Floyd. Because of mass riots, Governor Tim Walz has already had to declare a state of emergency in the city and its surroundings, and call on the National Guard for help.

What happened?

The wave of protests rose after the publication of a video showing white police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck of Floyd, who was lying on the asphalt in handcuffs. Floyd, 46, who asked the officer to get off his neck because he could not breathe, lost consciousness and died before he was taken to hospital.

Four police officers involved in the incident were fired, but, according to Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump, the absence of charges brought by them is — “like killing George again.” “Where is justice? — Crump asked on a television morning show today. — Where is justice for Black America?”

City authorities acknowledge that protesters have reason to be angry and dissatisfied, and the FBI has already opened an investigation into the case, but with each day the situation in Minneapolis and neighboring St. Paul is becoming more tense.

What is happening?

On Thursday, the protests reached their peak so far, when they took on an aggressive character. A police station, near which Floyd was detained, was set on fire, along with at least five other buildings. Many shops and cafes were also vandalized, and looting of large shopping centers was recorded.

«Guys are reacting this way to a cruel system, — quoted one of the media faces of the protest movement, Michael McDowell, CBS News. — Property and business can be replaced, something material, but life cannot be replaced. This man left us forever because some cop thought he had the right to take someone's life.»

Michael McDowell

Many are tired of this. They will not endure it any longer. That is exactly why Minneapolis is burning.

While covering the events, police detained Black CNN journalist Omar Jimenez. Although police called the detention a mistake and released Jimenez, this also received wide media coverage and cast law enforcement agencies in an unflattering light.

On Friday morning, police, already supported by the arriving National Guard, blocked part of the city near the police station.

Michael Moore, a well-known director who joined the protests («Bowling for Columbine», «Fahrenheit 9/11») and holds left-wing views, said that this «evil» police station, burned by «good citizens», should be demolished as a form of «repentance» for what was done and as an apology to «Black America».

What about Trump?

The US president, of course, did not stay on the sidelines and... got embroiled in another scandal. Having previously spoken about Floyd's «very sad and tragic» death, Donald Trump called the protesters «thugs» — a word that often carries a racist undertone in the US.

«These thugs are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I will not let that happen, — Trump wrote. — I just spoke with Governor Tim Walz and told him that the military will always be with him. We will take control if difficulties arise, but when looting begins, shooting begins.»

Twitter later blocked Trump's post for «glorifying violence,» and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly criticized the American leader, thus responding to accusations of losing control of the situation in the city.

«Pointing fingers at someone during a crisis — that is weakness,» Frey said. — Donald Trump knows nothing about the strength of Minneapolis».

Protests over Floyd's death have already spread beyond Minnesota (demonstrations also took place in New York, Denver, Phoenix and Columbus), and it seems very unlikely that they will subside after such statements from the country's leader.