Minneapolis Review

Five hundred National Guard troops were deployed to respond to riots in Minneapolis by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on May 28 after three nights of protests and looting.

The troops were deployed to assist Minnesota police and State Patrol at the request of Mayor Jacob Frey, who urged people to remain peaceful if they chose to participate in the city-wide protests in response to the death of George Floyd.

Floyd was killed on May 25 in an incident that involved four Minneapolis police officers. The four officers involved were fired on May 26, and city and state officials have denounced Floyd’s death, but protesters across the city have rioted, demanding justice. Video footage of the incident shows an officer restraining Floyd by his neck—an African American man—while Floyd repeatedly tells officers that he can’t breathe.

The incident has incited outrage across the country, with protestors calling for an end of the racism that they say Floyd’s death represents. Protests have grown increasingly violent in the Twin Cities, with Frey ordering the evacuation of the city’s Third Precinct after repeated threats to officers and the public. In neighboring St. Paul, police reported that looting, fires and vandals had damaged nearly 170 buildings by the morning of May 29. 

Clashes between law enforcement and protesters have steadily escalated in south Minneapolis, with Chopper 5 footage showing protesters throwing bottles, rocks and other items at police officers, while officers responded with tear gas and rubber bullets to attempt to control the situation.

Gov. Walz called the situation “extremely dangerous,” in a tweet, asking people to leave the area to allow firefighters and paramedics to access the scene.

The looting and riots have left small business owners, many of whom are minorities, facing damaged property. In the Midway neighborhood, St. Paul resident Deryck Miller told the StarTribune he estimates 90% of nearby businesses had been looted.

Frey has urged his city’s residents to remain patient and peaceful while acknowledging their anger, calling the unrest unacceptable. 

“What we have seen over the past several hours and past couple of nights is unacceptable,” Frey said in a press conference on May 29.  “These are banks that people rely on to get cash, grocery stores that people rely on to get food. They are essential to our community.”

He continued to call on the community to come together and ensure that people are looking out for each other and for the city right now.