Unrest rages in Minneapolis over racially charged killing by cops

MINNEAPOLIS, May 29

Peaceful rallies gave way to a third night of arson, looting and vandalism in Minneapolis on Thursday as protesters vented their rage over the death of a black man, George Floyd, seen on video gasping for breath while a white police officer knelt on his neck.

Trump calls Protesters ‘thugs’

Washington: President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to take action to bring the city of Minneapolis “under control,” calling violent protesters outraged by the death of a black man in police custody “thugs” and saying that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” Trump tweeted after protesters torched a Minneapolis police station. Reuters

Cheering protesters also torched an abandoned Minneapolis police station.

The latest spasm of unrest in Minnesota’s largest city went largely unchecked, despite Governor Tim Walz ordering the National Guard activated to help restore order following the first two days of disturbances sparked by Monday night’s fatal arrest of Floyd, 46.

In contrast with Wednesday night, when rock-throwing demonstrators clashed repeatedly with police in riot gear, law enforcement kept a low profile around the epicenter of the unrest, outside the city’s Third Precinct police station.

Protesters massing outside the building briefly retreated under volleys of police tear gas and rubber bullets fired at them from the roof, only to reassemble and eventually attack the building head on, setting fire to the structure as police seemed to withdraw.

A car and at least two other buildings were also set ablaze, and looters returned for a second night to a nearby Target discount store, left vacant from the previous night. — Reuters

7 shot at during Louisville protest

Louisville (US): At least seven persons were shot in Louisville as protesters turned out to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, a black woman fatally shot by police in her home in March. Louisville Metro Police confirmed in a statement early Friday that there were at least seven shooting victims, at least one of whom is in critical condition. AP

National Guard on streets after riots

Minneapolis: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has called in the National Guard as looting broke out in St Paul and a wounded Minneapolis braced for more violenceThe Minneapolis unrest ravaged several blocks in the Longfellow neighbourhood, with scattered rioting reaching for miles across the city. AP