George Floyd protests continue across U.S., Donald Trump calls for ‘Law & Order’
Protests across the U.S. in the wake of the police killing of a black man in Minneapolis continued on Sunday, while many cities implemented curfews and thousands of National Guard troops were deployed in several states to respond to riots.
Thousands in Washington, D.C., protested near the White House, calling for justice for George Floyd.
In Philadelphia, police cars were set on fire and people looted stores.
President Trump tweeted, “Law & Order in Philadelphia, NOW! They are looting stores. Call in our great National Guard like they FINALLY did (thank you President Trump) last night in Minneapolis. Is this what voters want with Sleepy Joe? All Dems!”
“Other Democrat run Cities and States should look at the total shutdown of Radical Left Anarchists in Minneapolis last night,” the president tweeted. “The National Guard did a great job, and should be used in other States before it is too late!”
In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott declared a State of Disaster for all Texas counties in the midst of violent protests.
“Every Texan and every American has the right to protest and I encourage all Texans to exercise their First Amendment rights,” Abbott said in a statement. “However, violence against others and the destruction of property is unacceptable and counterproductive. As protests have turned violent in various areas across the state, it is crucial that we maintain order, uphold public safety, and protect against property damage or loss. By authorizing additional federal agents to serve as Texas Peace Officers we will help protect people’s safety while ensuring that peaceful protesters can continue to make their voices heard.”
Three months before Floyd’s death, Ahmaud Arbery was fatally shot as he jogged through a Georgia neighborhood. A white father and son are charged in the slaying.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp authorized the deployment of up to 3,000 National Guard troops to Athens, Savannah and any other cities where more demonstrations were planned. Kemp had already approved up to 1,500 Guardsmen to help enforce a 9 p.m. Saturday curfew in Atlanta.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Sunday visited a protest site in Delaware.
“We are a nation in pain, but we must not allow this pain to destroy us. We are a nation enraged, but we cannot allow our rage to consume us. We are a nation exhausted, but we will not allow our exhaustion to defeat us,” Biden wrote on Instagram.
“The only way to bear this pain is to turn all that anguish to purpose,” Biden wrote. “And as President, I will help lead this conversation — and more importantly, I will listen, just as I did today visiting the site of last night’s protests in Wilmington.”
In tweets Sunday, President Trump blamed anarchists and the media for fueling the violence. Attorney General William Barr pointed a finger at “far left extremist” groups. Police chiefs and politicians accused outsiders of coming in and causing the problems.
Herald wire services were used in this report.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3cs9A8h
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