Tension grows in the United States: shots fired and a police station burned down in protests over the death of George Floyd

05/29/2020 - 2:48

• Clarín.com
• World

Thousands of people participated this Thursday in the third consecutive night of protests in Minneapolis by the death at the hands of the police of the African American George Floyd, mobilizations that led to the burning of a police station, riots and looting.

During the day, the protests spread not only in Minneapolis but also in neighboring Saint Paul, known as "Twin Cities", and the rest of the country.

The protests escalated after Hennepin County Prosecutor - with jurisdiction over Minneapolis - Mike Freeman announced that he has no intention, at this time, of charging charges or arresting the agent responsible for Floyd's death, Derek Chauvin.

"There is other evidence that does not support a criminal charge. We need to weigh all of that evidence to come up with a consistent decision, and we are doing the best we can," Freeman told the media.

It did little to calm tempers that the city police commander, Medaria Arradondo, who has already fired Chauvin and three other officers involved, apologized to Floyd's family.

Minneapolis engulfed in flames after the outrageous murder of Geoge Floyd. / David Joles / Star Tribune via AP /

For his part, the Minnesota Governor, Democrat Tim Walz, activated the National Guard - a military reservist corps - that deployed fifty soldiers throughout the city. It is the first time in 34 years that Minnesota has activated the National Guard in protests.

"George Floyd's death must bring about justice and fundamental reforms, no more deaths and destruction," Walz said in a statement.

Fire at the Minneapolis Third Precinct Police station. / Stephen Maturen / Getty Images / AFP /

With the fall of the day, looting and fires raged through the city as thousands of protesters rallied around the Minneapolis Third Precinct Police station, made a symbol of the protest for Floyd's death

At one point, protesters managed to set fire to part of the police station, which burned in flames to the celebration of many, who even launched fireworks.

At the same time, more than thirty businesses were looted or burned, and the police had to fire tear gas to prevent protesters from crossing the police station's fences.

More than thirty businesses were looted and set on fire during protests over the Floyd murder. / EFE / EPA / TANNEN MAURY /

In addition, a man died after being shot near the protests in a confusing episode in which there is a detainee.

The incidents were replicated in other cities in the country, such as Denver, where vandalism, street blockades and shots were fired against the Capitol.

During the Denver protests, there were gunshots and incidents outside the Capitol. / AP Photo / David Zalubowski /

Following violent protests in Los Angeles on Wednesday, several hundred people protested Thursday in Union Square in New York and at least five were arrested by police.

Reverend Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, iconic figures in the civil rights struggle, traveled to Minneapolis to pay tribute to Floyd and the former called for protests across the country.

Demonstrations for the murder of George Floyd reached New York. / Johannes EISELE / AFP /

A group of activists also organize a demonstration on Friday in downtown Washington DC, near the White House.

President Donald Trump "was outraged when he saw the video" of this "heinous and tragic" drama, said government spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany.

"He picked up his phone right away" to make sure the FBI (federal police) investigation is swift, he said. "He wants justice to be done."

Calls for justice during protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. / EFE / EPA / TANNEN MAURY /

George Floyd died Monday night just after being detained by police, who suspected that he had wanted to counterfeit a $ 20 bill.

During the intervention, an officer kept him on the ground by pressing his knee on his neck for several minutes. "I can't breathe anymore," Floyd is heard saying in a video that went viral. After being immobile, the man was transferred to a hospital, where they declared his death.

During Thursday night, there were overflows around the police station where the agents involved in the crime worked. / AP Photo / Julio Cortez /

The four officers involved were fired and local and federal authorities are investigating the case. But no charges have yet been filed, fueling anger and frustration.

"These police officers must be arrested immediately," Philonise Floyd said on CNN, crying out for the death penalty for those responsible for her brother's death.

"People are tired of seeing black men die, constantly, over and over," he added. "I would like the (protesters) to be peaceful, but I cannot force them, it is difficult."

Two young African-American men jump into a burning car during Geogre Floyd's crime protests in Minneapolis. / Edward Washington, cq / Star Tribune via AP /

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, urged the United States to take "serious measures" and "ensure that justice is done" after "the latter in a series of murders of unarmed African-Americans by US police."

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, an organ of the OAS, condemned the death "due to the excessive use of force by the police." And, in a series of tweets, he cited statistics indicating that people of African descent in the United States are three times more likely to be killed than whites.

The case recalls the case of Eric Garner, a black man who died in 2014 in New York after being suffocated during his arrest by a white police officer. Garner had also said "I can't breathe," a phrase that has become a rallying cry of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement.

Minnesota was also marked by the death in 2016 of a black motorist, Philando Castile, shot dead during a police checkup in the eyes of his partner and a girl.

The Minneapolis police have already been accused of police racism on other occasions. / Scott Olson / Getty Images / AFP /

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo admitted that there is a "hope deficit" in his city and that his department had contributed to that.

Although he respected the residents' right to demonstrate and express their pain, he stressed that "he would not authorize any criminal act" that could aggravate the trauma of the population.

Ilhan Omar, who represents Minneapolis in Congress, called for calm, but warned that there is "extreme frustration" and that "anger continues to rise because justice has not yet been done."

Source: agencies.