Rioters protesting the death of George Floyd have set fire to a police precinct in Minneapolis.
As per reports, the demonstrations, which erupted in the wake of George’s death, have continued to escalate. The 46-year-old died after being pinned to the ground by officers responding to reports of a forgery in progress.
One officer held George – who was in handcuffs – by kneeling on his neck, ignoring the man’s pleas that he couldn’t breathe.
The horrifying incident was captured on camera by a bystander and subsequently went viral online. The resulting fallout has been momentous, with people rightly furious at what looks to be obvious racial injustice.
Nowhere has the backlash been felt more than in Minneapolis. There have been reports of looting, stabbings and a shooting as people take to the streets to protest George’s death.
Things came to a head last night when rioters set fire to a police department building in the city’s 3rd Precinct.
As per reports, the National Guard has been called in to put an end to the riots. Ben Crump, the lawyer representing Floyd’s family, said: “We don’t need that. We need people focused on getting justice.”
The four officers involved in George’s death have been fired from their positions and authorities are now facing calls that they be arrested and charged with murder.
George’s brother, Philonise, told CNN: “These officers, they need to be arrested right now. They need to be arrested and held accountable about everything because these people want justice right now. These guys need to be arrested, convicted of murder, and given the death penalty.
“People are torn and hurt because they’re tired of seeing black men die constantly, over and over again. They took my brother’s life. He will never get that back. I will never see him again. My family will never see him again.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey openly backed calls for the officers involved to face the justice system.
“Why is the man who killed George Floyd not in jail? If you had done it or I had done it, we would be behind bars right now, and I cannot come up with a good answer to that question,” he said at a press conference.
“I’m calling on the Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to act on the evidence before him. I’m calling on him to charge the arresting officer in this case. We cannot turn a blind eye. It is on us as leaders to see this as it is and call it what it is.”
Rest in peace, George Floyd. You were taken from the world far too soon, and in despicable circumstances. We WILL not forget you.
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