The governor of Minnesota has called for full mobilization of the state’s National Guard, as he suggested that foreign and extremist influences are fueling chaos as protests over the in-custody death devolve into violence in cities across the country.
‘Last night is a mockery of pretending that this is about George Floyd’s death, or inequities, or historical traumas to our communities of color,’ Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, said on Saturday.
On Friday night, widespread looting and arson continued in Minneapolis and nearby St. Paul, in defiance of curfews there, and protests spilled into violence in 30 cities, as a federal agent in California and a protester in Detroit were shot dead.
‘The situation in Minneapolis is no longer in any way about the murder of George Floyd, it is about attacking civil society, instilling fear, and disrupting our great cities,’ Walz said.
‘As you saw this expand across the United States, and you start to see whether it be domestic terrorism, whether it be ideological extremists to fan the group, or whether it be international destabilization of how our country works,’ he continued.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has called for full mobilization of the state’s National Guard, as he suggested that foreign and extremist influences are fueling chaos
A man holds up a sign near a burning building in Minneapolis on Friday night as the city descended into total chaos
On Friday night, widespread looting and arson continued in Minneapolis (above) and nearby St. Paul, in defiance of curfews there, and protests spilled into violence in 30 cities
‘The situation in Minneapolis is no longer in any way about the murder of George Floyd, it is about attacking civil society, instilling fear, and disrupting our great cities,’ Walz said
On Friday night, Walz hinted that white supremacists and drug cartels may be fueling violence or taking advantage of the chaos in the rioting.
Pressed by reporters on rumors that white supremacists were secretly infiltrating Black Lives Matter protests and instigating violence, Walz said: ‘my suspicions and what I’ve seen on this, yes.’
‘It gets worse than that,’ Walz said. ‘The cartels, who are wondering if there was a break in their drug transmissions, are trying to take advantage of the chaos. That’s why this situation is on a federal level.’
Walz said at his Saturday press conference that ‘protection of citizens and property is our top priority, and maintaining and restoring civil order on the streets.’
‘The tactics and approach that we have taken have evolved and need to evolve,’ he said.
A protester reacts standing in front of a burning building set on fire during a demonstration in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Friday night, over the death of George Floyd
A looter carries goods out of a ransacked business in Minneapolis on Friday night as anarchy was unleashed nationwide
A looter plunders a business in Minnesota on Friday night. The state’s governor is fully mobilizing the National Guard
Looters ransack and Office Depot in Minneapolis on Friday, when the city was overwhelmed by violence and chaos
Walz called for the full mobilization of the Minnesota National Guard for the first time in the state’s history.
The Minnesota Army National Guard is composed of approximately 11,000 Guardsmen.
Around 500 National Guard soldiers have already been mobilized in and around Minneapolis, where an officer faces charges over Floyd’s death.
Fired police officer Derek Chauvin was arrested and charged on Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Walz said that on Friday night, every resource in Minneapolis was deployed to respond to widespread looting, arson, vandalism and violence, and that the forces in the city would be expanded ‘exponentially’ by nightfall on Saturday.
Developing story, more to come.