Minnesota governor says state is taking lead of response to riots in Minneapolis over George Floyd death
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the state is taking the lead in responding to the situation in Minneapolis, where protests over have escalated into violence over the death of George Floyd in police custody.
Walz emphasized that no justice can be sought for Floyd until order is restored in the city. “None of us can tackle these problems if justice reigns on the street,” he said.
Minnesota governor says state is taking lead of response to riots in Minneapolis over George Floyd death
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the state is taking the lead in responding to the situation in Minneapolis, where protests over have escalated into violence over the death of George Floyd in police custody
It was the first time Walz had spoken publicly about the situation since Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday night, rioters gained access to the police precinct and set it on fire. Mayor Jacob Frey made the call to abandon the building and evacuate the personnel inside.
The protest first turned violent Wednesday night, when businesses were looted and burned throughout the city. The looting spread to St. Paul and surrounding communities Thursday and continued overnight.
Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard Thursday afternoon, but soldiers were not deployed to the Third Precinct until just after midnight. They have since secured the area and will remain there for the time being.
However, many have wondered why the state did not step into help sooner.
The mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis both requested help from the National Guard, but Walz and Adjutant General Jon Jensen said they failed to provide specifics on exactly where they wanted the Guard to go and what they wanted them to do once they got there.
National Guard soldiers blocking 26th Avenue just north of the Third Precinct and beside the looted shell of a Cub Foods. (FOX 9)
Jensen said the National Guard started notifying soldiers early Thursday morning of a pending mission, without knowing exactly where or how they would be mobilized. Jensen said he had concerns about the lack of a clear mission for the National Guard, saying, “We never got such a mission assignment. We never got such a mission description.”
PLANNING FOR PROTESTS FRIDAY
The National Guard’s “law and order” mission at the Third Precinct is ongoing, Jensen said.
Walz said the state’s plan for Friday night is being “worked out now.” He hopes to make it public by 2 p.m.
"There will be no lack of leadership,” Walz said. “There will be no lack of response on the table."
DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD
Floyd died on Memorial Day after he was detained by Minneapolis police responding to a forgery call. A video taken by a bystander sparked national outrage after it showed one of the officers kneeling on Floyd’s neck as Floyd repeatedly says “I can’t breathe.” The officer continued to press his knee onto Floyd’s neck even after he lost consciousness. None of the other officers at the scene attempted to check on Floyd until after the ambulance arrived, despite bystanders’ pleas.
All four responding officers have been fired. Friday, former officer Derek Chauvin, seen pressing his knee into Floyd's neck, was taken into custody.
The FBI and the Minnesota BCA are investigating.