Another Night of Violent Protests in Minnesota Over the Death of Daunte Wright
Bill Sheridan
It was another night of violent protests, bottle throwing and tear gas, as police in the streets of Minnesota clashed with those gathered to protest the death of Daunte Wright.
In a night of protest and turmoil, an angry crowd hundred strong gathered outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department Monday, defying curfew and taunting police with bottles rocks and fireworks. They were there supposed to demand justice for Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man fatally shot by police during a traffic stop.
During a press conference Tuesday morning following the surreal night, it was said that Minnesota authorities arrested about 40 people, after rioters and police clashed for a second night in the residential area surrounding the police department headquarters in Brooklyn Center, Minn.
The crowd chanted “Daunte Wright!” Some shouted obscenities at officers, and others pelted them with thrown objects.
As the melee unfolded live on several news networks, local police bolstered by the State Police and members of the National Guard fired tear gas, and flash-bang grenades into the crowd after warning them that they were in violation of curfew. Some rioters retaliated by throwing smoke canisters back toward law enforcement, while others launched fireworks at the police lines, according to reports.
“Move back!” the police chanted. “Hands up! Don’t shoot!” the crowd chanted back.
Authorities said officers were shelled “pretty significantly,” with objects thrown from the crowd. A few officers were hit by debris and suffered minor injuries during the unrest, police said.
Minnesota State Patrol Col. Matt Langer said law enforcement officials made attempts to talk with protest leaders about figuring how to peacefully disperse the crowds, but “unfortunately, those efforts weren’t successful … so … [we] stood and protected that building.”
Roughly 40 arrests were made at the Brooklyn Center Police Department protest, Langer said. He added that people were arrested for violations including breaching curfew and rioting.
Looters also broke into several businesses at a strip mall near the police station, including a Dollar Tree store, according to reports.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz imposed a curfew from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. Tuesday for counties that included Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, the state capital.
Police shot and killed Wright during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb on Sunday. The bodycam footage showed three police officers gathered near a stopped car that was pulled over an expired registration. Police attempted to arrest Wright for an outstanding warrant, leading to a struggle, followed by the fatal shooting.
The officer was identified as Kimberly A. Potter, whose career with the Brooklyn Center Police Department has spanned more than 25 years, the Star Tribune reported. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Monday night that Potter is on standard administrative leave. The Brookln Center Chief of Police believes, as indicated by he Potter’s own bodycam footage that this was a tragic accident, in which Potter thought she had reached for her Taser, but instead had her firearm in hand.
“As I watch the video and listen to the officer’s commands it is my belief that the officer had the intention to deploy their Taser, but instead shot Mr. Wright with a single bullet,” Brooklyn Center Chief of Police Tim Gannon stated. “This appears to me, from what I view in the officer’s reaction and distress immediately after, that this was an accidental discharge that resulted in the tragic death of Mr. Wright.”
Meanwhile, a Minnesota GOP group is condemning the Minnesota’s Governor for appearing to prejudge Sunday’s Brooklyn Center officer-involved shooting.
On Sunday, Gov. Tim Walz commented on Twitter that “our state mourns another life of a Black man taken by law enforcement.”
This prompted the St. Paul Republicans to fire back, saying “governor, your words fuel fire for protesters.” They added, “you of all people should know to wait until the authorities finish their investigation.”
This is absolutely rediculous of the Governor and State of Minnesota to continue to allow this to happen!!!!
Police officers should not have to stand and take this ABUSE! There is nothing peaceful about the looting and burning. To arrest 40 people out of this MOB is a lack of law. That many could have been taken from every businesses looted!
Governor Noballs Walz, WAKE UP!
Dementia Joe IDIOT—It’s not a peaceful protest. THERE PROTEST ARE ALWAYS LOOTING,MURDER,DESTROYING WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF THEM. THE DEMONCRAPS SUPPORT THESE THUGS NO MATTER WHAT—THEY CAN’T DO NO WRONG. WELL THEY CAN GO TO HELL AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED. FU????????????????????????????????????????????…ANOTHER WORTHLESS THUG????????????????????????????…..
It’s sad that we unfortunately remain the UnUnited States of America because of liberal hate.
More of the same. Looting is now peaceful protest.as long as it’s in the name of “racial justice. “. Perhaps not fighting with the police might slow some of these senseless deaths. But no that makes too much sense. Instead we see the liberal left electorate stirring the pot. We need to hold the media and politicians accountable for causing more deaths and destruction by their irresponsible words and actions. These idiots are waiting for any opportunity to riot and Loot. A few years ago when the Ferguson riots were happening I heard a young black man calling his friends to get together and loot. He actually said to his friend “make sure you’ve got your piece”. So I seriously doubt the issues were of any concern to him. He just wanted to steal and cause havoc. I knew this kid through a mutual acquaintance and I know he had a high paying job. Makes no sense at all. You can take the hoodrat out of the hood but you can’t take the hood out of the hoodrat. Is it any wonder the tax base around the st louis area is fleeing by the droves? My guess is Minneapolis is facing the same problems. The liberal agenda of forcing black and white communities is a dismal failure and just like busing it will end the same way. We need to focus on jobs in their establishment communities and then work our way forward. Handouts are not working for those who take them and tax payers that pay for them. It’s time to have a real conversation with honesty and no ridiculous hidden agendas.
Amen!!