Minneapolis reeling after fourth night of chaos

Minneapolis descended into chaos for the fourth night Friday despite an 8 p.m. curfew, as suspected outsiders lit fires and looted businesses across the city.

Peaceful demonstrators assembled near the Minneapolis police Third Precinct and marched down I-35W early in the evening to protest against police for the killing of George Floyd, but the tone changed as darkness fell. The curfew didn’t deter thousands from staying out until the early hours of Saturday morning, and by many accounts law enforcement were nowhere to be seen as fires raged throughout the night.

Early in the evening, demonstrators near the Third Precinct made clear they wouldn’t abide by the curfew implemented by Mayor Jacob Frey unless all four officers involved in Floyd’s arrest were charged. The National Guard used tear gas and ordered protesters to go home moments before the 8 p.m. curfew, and some of the crowd dispersed.

Major fires were reported around the city’s Fifth Precinct near Nicollet Ave. and 31st St. after hundreds gathered there. A U.S. post office, Stop N Shop, Wells Fargo Bank and a Shell gas station went up in flames.

Everything seems to be happening at the same time here at Lake and Park pic.twitter.com/XPTOITWpnI

— Max Nesterak (@maxnesterak) May 30, 2020

Local law enforcement, firefighters and the National Guard seemingly disappeared as mayhem intensified. Officials said Saturday morning they did not have the manpower to respond, and that National Guard and first responders were being attacked with bullets and improvised explosive devices. 

Many Black, Native and immigrant residents said law enforcement and the National Guard abandoned their neighborhood and state lawmakers called on the governor and mayor to do more to protect them.

“The city of Minneapolis has a responsibility to put out fires and protect its residents. The fire on Park Ave is reaching a residential area and there is a gas station nearby. For our city’s leadership to say they won’t send a firetruck is irresponsible,” Representative Hodan Hassan wrote in a tweet.

Sharone, who declined to give his last name, was distraught at the violence and destruction as midnight approached. He runs a tow-trucking company nearby and uses the gas station multiple times a day.

“They’re letting the fucking white guys fuck up everything in our neighborhood,” he said, standing outside a burning gas station at Lake Street and Park Avenue. “This shit is fucking terrible. This shit is out of hand, man. Now where the fuck am I going to get diesel from every day?”

By many accounts, civilians took to the streets in an effort to protect businesses, homes and their own neighbors.

The American Indian Movement — founded in 1968 in Minneapolis in response to police brutality — received an exemption from the curfew so the AIM Patrol could protect Native businesses and homes, according to member Tammey Skinaway.

Shortly after 8 p.m., Rick, who declined to give his last name, was using his pickup truck to clear smashed cars off the road in case of evacuation. Protesters directed traffic and handed out snacks, water and gauze.

Here’s something else you might not expect. People are stopping and stop lights and there are protesters directing traffic pic.twitter.com/eWkIMVaAoO

— Max Nesterak (@maxnesterak) May 30, 2020

Saturday morning, state officials said the city is under attack by criminals from outside Minnesota who want to destroy civil society. About 80% of Friday night’s rioters were not from Minnesota, Walz estimated. 

“For those Minnesotans who are wondering ‘Where are the fire trucks? Where are the police that are out there?’ The situation was so broad and the tactics were so bent on causing destruction that every single person we had mobilized last night . . . was engaged in that,” Walz said.