The death of George Floyd at the hands of the police set off days of protests in Minneapolis. Demonstrators challenged a curfew on Saturday and took to the streets for the fifth day in a row. Here’s why.
The death of George Floyd at the hands of the police set off days of protests in Minneapolis. Demonstrators challenged a curfew on Saturday and took to the streets for the fifth day in a row. Here’s why.
new video loaded:‘We’re Sick and Tired’: Voices From Minneapolis Protests
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‘We’re Sick and Tired’: Voices From Minneapolis Protests
The death of George Floyd at the hands of the police set off days of protests in Minneapolis. Demonstrators challenged a curfew on Saturday and took to the streets for the fifth day in a row. Here’s why.
“We are having peaceful speeches, we have a reverend —” Protesters gathered outside in Minneapolis on Saturday, for the fifth day in a row. This group was demonstrating outside the city’s Fifth Police Precinct. “I can’t stand the fact that some people in our society can’t walk around without feeling scared that a cop is not going to come to them with a death sentence.” Just after 8 p.m., police came out to enforce the city’s curfew. “You are in violation of Minneapolis city curfew ordinance.” They began firing pepper spray and tear gas to disperse the group. [screams] “I swear to God! I swear to [expletive] God —” Protesters here told us why they were out on the streets. “Honestly, the world is watching the United States, and more specifically Minneapolis itself, to see how we’re going to react and get justice for Mr. Floyd. And for me, being out here is a huge thing.” “The Minneapolis Police Department is notorious for their racism here. Black men are about 13 times more likely to be killed by cops than white men in the city. And I think that people just finally had enough.” “They tortured him, right? What else is there to do but get their attention?” Since George Floyd’s death, peaceful protests have mixed with looting and rioting at night. Most protesters we spoke with oppose the violence, but many said they understood the frustration and anger people are feeling. “No justice, no peace! No justice, no peace!” “We are here for justice for George. We’re sick and tired of being abused and oppressed by the police. They’ve been doing that [expletive] for years and years.” “Man, we’ve got to come together as a people, as a one. This racism’s been going on for too long.” “All four hundred years or more.” “Too long.” “All this [expletive] can be replaced. The body cannot be replaced.” “The body can never be replaced.” “I don’t want to see businesses burned down. But, I mean, we’re in kind of a war zone out here. And so, that’s kind of, I think, the least of our worries in a lot of ways.” “Bring him, bring him, bring him one block. Bring him one block to a medic.” “What happened? Someone hit him with a bat?” “You’ve got to calm down. We’re on the same team.” “You’ve got to calm down.” “Calm down — what happened, what happened? We’ve got about 12 medics here. We’re going to do the best we can. We’ve got a combat medic here, OK? But we’ve got to dial it down —” “We’ve got to keep it down.” “— because they’re looking for any reason to kill us.” One protester described the violence that broke out after she confronted a group of rioters in the neighborhood. “There was a group of guys who started screaming at the police, throwing things. I asked them, ‘Who are you? Who are you to come in here and do this?’ They ran up on me with big steel pipes. They got in my face. And one guy came at me, holding the pipe, and he stepped in, and he took it.” “You’re going to be all right —” “What message are we sending by destroying what is ours? How does that, how does that get the message out about how we need change in our city if all we’re doing is destroying it and burning it down?”
‘We’re Sick and Tired’: Voices From Minneapolis Protests
The death of George Floyd at the hands of the police set off days of protests in Minneapolis. Demonstrators challenged a curfew on Saturday and took to the streets for the fifth day in a row. Here’s why.
George Floyd Protests
Recent Episodes
Minneapolis Removes Memorials From ‘George Floyd Square’
Mourners Pay Respects to George Floyd One Year Later
From Rodney King to George Floyd: Reliving the Scars of Police Violence
Defense Concludes With ‘Burden of Proof’ Argument in Chauvin Trial
Prosecutor Describes George Floyd’s Last Moments in Closing Statement
Derek Chauvin Trial Judge Gives Instructions to Jury
‘In The Middle of Chaos’: Living With the Daunte Wright Protests at the Front Door
Minnesota Protests Escalate Overnight
Retired Police Officer Is Questioned on George Floyd’s Prior Arrest
Police Officer Testifies on ‘Aggressive’ Crowd During George Floyd Arrest
Defense Calls Retired Paramedic to the Stand in the Derek Chauvin Trial
Shawanda Hill, George Floyd’s Associate, Testifies in Derek Chauvin Trial
Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s Brother, Testifies
‘Accidental Discharge’: Officer Fatally Shoots Black Man in Minnesota
George Floyd ‘Did Not Die From a Drug Overdose,’ Cardiologist Testifies
Judge Denies Sequestration Request in Chauvin Trial
Protests Erupt After Minnesota Officer Shoots Black Man
Pulmonologist Testifies Fentanyl Did Not Impact George Floyd’s Breathing
Pulmonologist Details How George Floyd Lost Consciousness During Arrest
Pulmonologist Says George Floyd Died From a ‘Low Level of Oxygen’
Minnesota Law Enforcement Agent James Reyerson Testifies
Expert: ‘No Force’ Should’ve Been Used Once Floyd Was Restrained
Police Expert Describes Derek Chauvin’s Use of ‘Pain Compliance’
Morries Hall, George Floyd’s Friend, Hopes to Avoid Chauvin Trial Testimony
0:54
Minneapolis Removes Memorials From ‘George Floyd Square’
0:40
Mourners Pay Respects to George Floyd One Year Later
14:23
From Rodney King to George Floyd: Reliving the Scars of Police Violence
1:14
Defense Concludes With ‘Burden of Proof’ Argument in Chauvin Trial
1:22
Prosecutor Describes George Floyd’s Last Moments in Closing Statement
1:16
Derek Chauvin Trial Judge Gives Instructions to Jury
4:39
‘In The Middle of Chaos’: Living With the Daunte Wright Protests at the Front Door
1:10
Minnesota Protests Escalate Overnight
2:11
Retired Police Officer Is Questioned on George Floyd’s Prior Arrest
1:13
Police Officer Testifies on ‘Aggressive’ Crowd During George Floyd Arrest
1:34
Defense Calls Retired Paramedic to the Stand in the Derek Chauvin Trial
1:12
Shawanda Hill, George Floyd’s Associate, Testifies in Derek Chauvin Trial