Dozens of police officers injured during riots that erupted following a video of a shooting at a black man carrying a knife • 91 people arrested • Mayor: "Understand the anger"
Violence returns to the streets of the United States:
About 30 police officers were injured during riots that broke out today (Tuesday) in Philadelphia following a video in which police officers are seen shooting a young man of African American descent carrying a knife and killing him.
Riots in Philadelphia following the killing of a young black man // Photo: Reuters
In the incident, which was filmed by a passerby, the police officers are seen calling the young man to throw the knife he was carrying, and then shooting at him numerous times and killing him.
In response to the publication of the video, riots broke out in the city that included destruction and looting, and as mentioned, also injuries to dozens of police officers - one of whom is still hospitalized with a broken leg.
During the riots, 91 people were arrested.
The Philadelphia City Department and police have tried to calm the spirits, saying the video "raises tough questions that need to be asked."
Fidelia Mayor Jim Kenny referred to the riots and said he understood where the public outrage following the incident came from.
"Last night we saw further proof of the difficulties experienced by our black city citizens, who were forced to live their lives in a reality of systematic discrimination."
Police Commissioner Daniel Outlaw also addressed the issue, saying she was committed to conducting a full investigation around the incident, and that she "felt the rage in the community."
In recent years there have been a number of outbursts of rage, which have often degenerated into violence, following similar incidents in which police have killed black civilians, sometimes with excessive force.
Many of the demonstrations are led by the Black Lives Meter movement, and black life is considered.
Following the death of George Floyd, who was strangled to death while arrested in Minneapolis last May, demonstrations and riots erupted in dozens of cities across the country, lasting many weeks.
During the riot police also shot and extreme right-wing militia member shot and killed two protesters.
