The video of George Floyd’s death sparked protests in Minneapolis and several other US cities. Here is a timeline of how tensions escalated this week.
Tuesday, May 26:
- All four officers involved in the incident were fired, but as more details came out, and the video continued to circulate, thousands gathered to protest.
Wednesday, May 27:
- Derek Chauvin was identified as the officer who had his knee on Floyd’s neck as tensions continued to escalate.
- On Wednesday night, protests then transitioned to rioting and looting south of downtown Minneapolis, with people smashing their way into stores and setting businesses and other buildings on fire.
- Flames lit up a building under construction, one floor eventually collapsing. At a nearby Target, video shows people taking cartloads of goods and loading them into their cars. People also raided a grocery store.
Thursday, May 28:
- Prosecutors investigating Floyd’s death asked the people of Minneapolis for patience while they looked into the case.
- Gov. Tim Walz signed also signed an executive order on Thursday activating the Minnesota National Guard after protests and demonstrations erupted throughout the city and St. Paul.
- Hundreds of people gathered outside the police department’s Third Precinct. Some protesters brought signs and some threw rocks. A temporary fence in front of the station was knocked over. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and bean bags fired at rock throwers.
- Around 10:30 p.m. Thursday night, thousands of protesters crowded around the precinct, climbing up the building and lighting its exterior on fire.
Friday, May 29:
- State police, donning protective gear and carrying batons, lined up near the site littered with debris andsprayed mace at protesters who got too close. Some responded by throwing projectiles at the officers as others fled.
- John Harrington, commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety, said he is putting together a “unified command” of several different law enforcement and public safety entities to prepare for more protests today and this weekend.
CNN
