Minneapolis Gears Up For 4th Night Of George Floyd Protests
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Protesters are defying curfew orders in Minneapolis Friday night, and firefighters are trying to put out several business and brush fires throughout the city during the fourth night of unrest after the death of George Floyd.
One night after Minneapolis Police's 3rd Precinct building was overtaken and burned down, demonstrators gathered at the 5th Precinct building late Friday night, located about four miles west.
At about 11:30 a.m., law enforcement and the National Guard began slowly moving towards the 5th Precinct en masse in a show of force. National Guard loud speakers announced that arrests will be made if protesters do not disperse. Tear gas was dispatched into the crowd soon after. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says 350 total law enforcement members are on the ground.
Earlier, protesters taunted members of the Minnesota State Patrol as they held a line near the torched precinct right before the 8 p.m. curfew took effect.
READ MORE: Exclusive: Mayor Jacob Frey Discusses What Led To The Abandonment Of 3rd Precinct
Dressed in full riot gear, troopers did not budge, but as soon as the Minnesota National Guard members appeared, protesters were warned they were in violation of the Gov. Tim Walz's executive order.
The crowds then followed the National Guard west down Lake Street. All along, the crowd was hit with tear gas, but they continued to move and follow the solders.
The scene was chaotic, with law enforcement spraying tear gas into the crowds, while protesters threw water bottles, and some drivers sped dangerously down Lake Street, with some passengers hanging out of the vehicles and throwing projectiles.
At about 10 p.m., a couple hundred protesters began stopping traffic on Interstate 35W, marching and practicing civil disobedience. WCCO's Mike Max at the scene said a brush fire was set near the interstate, a UPS truck was taken over and ransacked. But protesters left the area, heading towards the 5th Precinct building off of 31st Street and Lake Street.
The gathering at the 5th Precinct, which is about four miles west of the 3rd Precinct, has been largely peaceful, with protesters slowly beginning to leave the area by about 11 p.m. -- about the same time a Wells Fargo branch near the 5th was looted and set on fire. Looters also hit the Stop-N-Shop gas station across from the precinct.
By about 11:25 a.m., fire spread from the Wells Fargo to the U.S. Post Office next door. The Hibachi Buffet down the block also erupted in flames soon after.
The Minneapolis Fire Department took to Twitter right before to assure the public that they're working hard to keep up with the myriad fires.
READ MORE: 'Take A Knee' Marchers Continue Marching Through Downtown Minneapolis After Curfew
In north Minneapolis, looters set fire to the Fade Factory off West Broadway Avenue and North 24th Avenue at about 10:30 p.m.
WCCO's Erin Hassanzadeh was at the scene at about 11:20 p.m., and said there was not much law enforcement presence as fire fighters battled the blaze.
There are more protesters than law enforcement on south Minneapolis streets as of late Friday night.
Minneapolis City Councilmember Alondra Cano tweeted her reaction to the continuing unrest.
"Gas station on Lake and Park is on fire, our MFD can't get to it safely due to crowd of people. Governor pulled out the national guard he had promised; we are doing our best to have MPD fill in their absence. Pray for Lake Street tonight," Cano said.
Those in violation of the curfew can face a misdemeanor charge, which entails 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The Minneapolis City Council will hold an emergency meeting Saturday at 12:30 p.m. to discuss Mayor Jacaob Frey's local emergency declaration.
