Morning folks,
I feel, frankly, that I am ill-equipped to really cover what’s been happening in Minnesota. So I’ll summarize briefly, the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer has ignited a fresh wave of Black Lives Matter protests, with protesters literally taking over police precincts and chasing cops out of neighborhoods. Police response has been reported as aggressive and support from the National Guard has been requested in Minneapolis to combat what’s being described as looting and rioting amid the protests.
Multiracial, intergenerational crowd evicts police from Minneapolis neighborhood. #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/tkobhyCr6X
— Acid Communist League (@MarvinBaron6) May 27, 2020
Reactions from other organizations have shown a clear disapproval of the MPD’s actions. The University of Minnesota will limit its ties with local police officers, no longer using them for local sporting events
University of Minnesota to limit ties with Minneapolis police after George Floyd’s death
All four officers involved in the incident have been fired and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has demanded criminal charges.
MPD Chief Arradondo: 4 Police Officers Fired Following Death Of George Floyd
Meanwhile, protesters in LA have been blocking the 101 and there have been reports of smashed cop car windows.
Video: During Black Lives Matter protest on the 101 Freeway, a CHP cruiser tries to pull through the crowd before accelerating with people on the hood. https://t.co/LChcoUzGJ3 pic.twitter.com/Sfgpl6QKrR
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) May 28, 2020
As of this writing, the situation is still developing with protests now also breaking out in Memphis, Tennessee, where protesters have shut down Union Avenue.
The Worst Year Ever podcast has released an episode on the protests that might be helpful. What You Need to Know About the Minneapolis Protests
Welcome to Thursday. Be excellent to each other. If anyone lives in these areas or plans to be in one of these areas, please stay safe.
