Protesters Are Defending Themselves After Being Criticised For Rioting Over George Floyd’s Death
"Rioting is what happens when justice drags its feet."
On Monday, George Floyd was killed by police in Minnesota.
George was black; Derek Chauvin, the police officer seen kneeling on the back of his neck, was white. It’s a familiar story in America — some of George’s last words even echoed those of another black American who was killed by police six years ago: “I can’t breathe”.
We know that because his last moments were caught in a video which has since gone viral. The horrific nine minute clip contradicts the police’s initial story, which said Floyd was physically resisting arrest.
They suspected him of using a counterfeit $20 note.
Now, the anger and devastation over the death of another black man at the hands of police have led to riots breaking out across America.
Absolute chaos outside the Third precinct. Police are firing tear gas and stun grenades as protesters erect a barricade. Across the street, Target, Cub and other businesses are being picked apart by looters. @StarTribune pic.twitter.com/T7TV30v1lQ
— Aaron Lavinsky (@ADLavinsky) May 28, 2020
This is Minneapolis. Autozone, Target, numerous businesses looted and burned down. An affordable housing complex was burned to the ground. pic.twitter.com/LfKYYSImpV
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) May 28, 2020
Unarmed Black and Brown folks getting tear gassed by the police for protesting the murder of a Black man by the police.
Vs.
Heavily armed white people being allowed to take over a state capitol because they want haircuts.#Mericuh #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #Minneapolis #AmyCooper pic.twitter.com/mePDTduqnL— Jerónimo Saldaña 🐜 (@JeronimoSaldana) May 27, 2020
They started on the streets of Minneapolis where George was killed and have been met by police in riot gear. They fired tear gas and non-lethal rounds into the crowd — a dramatic difference to the way they handled protests from (mainly white) Americans last week, who protested for the country to lift its coronavirus restrictions.
The anger has since escalated, with shops being set on fire and looted. One man has also been shot dead, allegedly by a shop owner.
Protests have since spread across the country to cities including New York and Los Angeles.
Happening now at #BlackLivesMatter protest in union square: #icantbreathe #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/nCHe860hCW
— Gili Getz 🔥 (@giligetz) May 28, 2020
The riots have copped a lot of criticism — but protestors are fiercely defending their methods, with one man pointing out that “rioting is what happens when justice drags its feet”.
Just wanna point out that:
– rioting is what happens when justice drags its feet.
– America is a direct product of violent protest and the calculated destruction of property.
– if you see justice as a treat conferred on model citizens, you support exclusionism, like fascists.— Craig Bro Dude (@CraigSJ) May 28, 2020
“Why can’t you people protest peacefully?” says woman who flew into a rage when Colin Kaepernick tried to protest peacefully. https://t.co/VT2ifnkMrr
— Jesse Hawken (@jessehawken) May 28, 2020
If you’re more upset about unrest than the injustice and racism that triggered it, we judging you in this household.
— Julian Kimble (@JRK316) May 28, 2020
*Black people kneel*
”DISRESPECTFUL”
*Black people protest*
“NO, ALL LIVES MATTER.”
*Black people riot*
”PROTEST PEACEFULLY!”You don’t care what we have to say. You just don't want to hear it.
— Skyler Johnson (@skylerforsenate) May 28, 2020
“A riot is the language of the unheard.” Martin Luther King, Jr. 1966—they’ve had literally 54 years to listen. It’s on them.
— Andre Green (@dre4theville) May 28, 2020
conservatives: Americans should be more like the Founding Fathers.
Americans: *begin protesting and looting in response to systemic oppression at the hands of an unrepresentative government*
conservatives: no, not like that!
— the thicc husband & father (@lukeisamazing) May 28, 2020
All four police involved in the arrest have been fired, and George’s sister is calling for them to be charged with murder. The FBI is now investigating.
Today Michael Freeman, the Hennepin Country attorney, called the police’s use of force “excessive and wrong”.
But he sparked more anger when discussing whether any of the officers involved in Floyd’s death would be charged.
“I will say this, that video is graphic and horrific and terrible and no person should do that,” he told reporters.
“But my job in the end is to prove he violated a criminal statute. And there is other evidence that does not support a criminal charge. We need to wade through all of that evidence and come to a meaningful decision and we are doing that to the best of our ability.”
Every single liberal and conservative right now pic.twitter.com/1eHjt2g1dT
— Mothman Fucks (@hailmothman) May 28, 2020
The US Attorney for the district of Minnesota, Erica MacDonald, also said her department is investigating whether the officers committed a crime.
“Police officers, by the nature of their job, have the authority to use a certain amount of force when they are executing their duties faithfully and honestly and in accordance with their policies,” she said
“So a police officer, a law enforcement officer, has the ability to use the right amount of force, but not excessive force, not excessive force as defined by the law. That is what we are looking at with respect to any federal, criminal violation, is that use of excessive force.”
Here's my leg today. This is from a non-lethal projectile, fired by Minneapolis police while I covered protests of #GeorgeFloyd last night. Stay safe folks pic.twitter.com/4uuVgt3mX3
— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) May 27, 2020
hurting for our country yet again today… 💔 why has nothing changed? #justiceforfloyd pic.twitter.com/HskknxaWo3
— Hailey Whitters (@haileywhitters) May 28, 2020
Feature Image: Twitter/ @CapsuleScarab15