The governor of Minnesota on Thursday activated the National Guard, and 500 soldiers were ordered to respond to Minneapolis, which has seen protests every night since Tuesday over the Monday death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, after a white cop kneeled on his neck.
Also Thursday,the mayor of Minneapolis declared a state of emergency.
Looting, violence, smashed windows, and fires were widespread. And after theThird Precinct police station started burning,the city warned that if gas lines had been cut the building could explode. Protesters broke in and took over the building late Thursday.
Meanwhile, in Washington,President Trump tweeted:
"I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right.
"These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd,and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!"
