“Extensive damage to private property occurred and peaceful protests evolved into a dangerous situation for protesters and first responders,” Gov. Tim Waltz of Minnesota said in an executive order activating the national guard for the protests triggered by the murder of a black man named George Floyd. Fires burned in the entrance of the Police Department’s 3rd Precinct and businesses were looted.
“Officers continue to be hit with rocks and bottles thrown by people who are also breaking into buildings, looting and destroying property,” St. Paul Police said on Twitter.
Targets temporarily closed stores in the area and police cruisers appeared to be vandalized. “Please stay home. Please do not come here to protest,” St Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said Thursday.
Find out what's happening in Temeculafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Please keep the focus on George Floyd, on advancing our movement, and on preventing this from ever happening again. We can all be in that fight together.”
