Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has order the full mobilization of the National Guard in Minneapolis, Minnesota following days of citywide unrest. This decision stems from the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday evening. Floyd encountered officers after authorities received a report of forgery in the area. Cops identified Floyd as the suspect and placed him in handcuffs before putting him on the street face down. From there, former Minnesota Police Department Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes, rendering him unable to breathe.
More than 1,000 additional Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen are activating today. This is in addition to the 700 that were on duty as of late last night. This represents the largest domestic deployment in the Minnesota’s National Guard’s 164-year history. pic.twitter.com/aV9NOFv5uo
— MN National Guard (@MNNationalGuard) May 30, 2020
Just hours after his death, peaceful demonstrators took to the street where they were met with tear gas, pepper spray and other tools of force. In the days that followed, citizens took to the streets to continue their uprising. Target, Auto Zone and other large scale businesses experienced damage along with a police precinct. Peaceful protests took place on Friday into Saturday. As the night comes in, Walz has issued an order to utilize the National Guard.
Under the direction of Governor Walz, 1,700 National Guard officers will head to Minneapolis. Walz claims this is “an action that has never been taken in the 164-year history of the Minnesota National Guard.” The city has implemented a curfew that will go into effect at 8 p.m.
