George Floyd: As heated protests continue, Minnesota governor warns of ‘extremely dangerous situation’

The protests, which started on Wednesday, were initially peaceful but have become “extremely dangerous,” according to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

“The situation near Lake Street and Hiawatha in Minneapolis has become an extremely dangerous situation,” Walz said on Twitter. “For everyone’s safety, please leave the area and allow firefighters and paramedics to attend.”

Police created a barrier outside the police compound that the demonstrators were targeting, smashing its windows by throwing objects, including bottles of water. Authorities responded by firing tear gas.

In front of the compound, the fire department responded to a burning AutoZone store, according to a CNN team on the ground. Groups of protesters looted and damaged nearby stores, according to CNN sightings.

A lawyer representing Floyd’s family, Benjamin Crump, said in a statement on Wednesday that he and his relatives were calling for peaceful protests and social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We cannot sink to the level of our oppressors, and we must not endanger others during this pandemic,” the statement said. “We will demand and ultimately impose lasting change by bringing to light horrible and unacceptable treatment and obtaining justice.”

Mayor of Minneapolis charges fees

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday called for criminal charges against the police officer who was seen tackling Floyd on the ground with his knee in an incident that sparked street protests and local and federal investigations.

“What I can say with certainty, based on what I have seen, is that … the officer who had his knee on George Floyd’s neck should be charged,” Frey said in a statement. ‘a press conference on Wednesday.

Frey declined to say what the officer should be charged with, and said his knowledge was “limited to the video evidence that is there” about Floyd, a black man. He said he made his views known to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, whose office would be able to file a complaint against the state.

“George Floyd deserves justice. His family deserves justice. The black community deserves justice, and our city deserves justice,” said Frey.

No charges have been laid in the case.

The four police officers involved in the Floyd incident were dismissed on Tuesday, the Minneapolis police said. This includes officer Derek Chauvin, the officer seen on video holding Floyd with his knee, said Chauvin’s lawyer Tom Kelly.

Kelly said he would not be issuing a statement on behalf of Chauvin yet.

Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo declined to discuss the death of Floyd on Wednesday, but said the actions of the former police “in no way reflect the values, vision and culture” that he wanted to change within the police department.

Officers should be charged with murder, family say

Floyd worked security at Conga Latin Bistro in Minneapolis for five years, according to its owner, Jovanni Thunstrom.

The 46-year-old Houston native has moved to Minneapolis to work and drive trucks, said his friend and former NBA player Stephen Jackson.

Floyd’s family members remembered him as a man who “wouldn’t hurt anyone”. The family wants the four officers to be charged with murder.

“They were supposed to be there to serve and protect and I didn’t see any of them lift a finger to do anything to help him while he was begging for his life. None of them tried to do anything to help him. “Floyd’s cousin Tera Brown told CNN’s Don Lemon on Tuesday.

“I can not breathe”

Floyd was arrested on Monday evening after officers answered a call regarding an allegation of ongoing forgery.

Police learned that the suspect was seated in a blue car, according to Minneapolis police, and found Floyd inside a car when they arrived.

Police said he “resisted physically” after getting out of the vehicle. The police handcuffed Floyd, who police said “appeared to be in medical distress”.

A video of passersby shows Floyd handcuffed and Chauvin with his knee pressed against the 46-year-old man’s neck. Two police officers manipulated the man on the ground while another stood nearby, eyes on passers-by, while traffic was passing.

“Please, I can’t breathe,” said Floyd. “… my stomach hurts. My neck hurts. Everything hurts.”

At one point, the Floyd said, “Give me some water or something. Please. Please.”

A surveillance video obtained from a nearby restaurant showed the first point of contact the police had with the man. An officer escorts Floyd handcuffed to a car and Floyd sits on the sidewalk. Moments later, the officer and another Floyd escort walk away, still with their hands behind their backs.

Floyd was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital soon after. A finding on the cause and manner of Floyd’s death is pending and is under investigation by local, state and federal law enforcement, said the Hennepin County medical examiner’s office.

In a statement released on Tuesday, police said additional information had been “made available” and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had joined the investigation.

FBI division in Minneapolis said federal investigation into Floyd’s death will focus on whether police “deliberately deprived (Floyd) of a right or privilege protected by the state or state laws -United.

Officers’ attorneys represented other Minnesota officers in high-profile deaths

The Minneapolis Federation of Police Officers said on Tuesday that the four officers were cooperating in an investigation and urged “now is not the time to rush (judgment)” while the officers’ actions are under review.

At least three of the dismissed officers are represented by lawyers who previously represented other police officers involved in high-profile assassinations in Minnesota.

Chauvin’s lawyer Kelly then represented St. Police officer Anthony Jeronimo Yanez, who shot Philando Castile during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights in July 2016. A jury found Yanez not guilty of manslaughter; The family of Castile and his girlfriend have concluded agreements with various cities.

Gray, like Kelly, had represented Yanez.

Plunkett was involved in the defense of Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, who was convicted of third degree murder and manslaughter for shooting and killing Justine Ruszczyk when she answered his 911 call in July 2017 .

Floyd’s death ‘it’s like already seen’

Monday’s incident forces Gwen Carr to relive the death of her son Eric Garner, who also said “I can’t breathe” while suffocating a New York officer.

“It’s hard enough for us to get to the anniversary of my son’s death, and now hearing about this young man is like we’ve seen it before,” Carr told CNN. “It’s like the murder of my son. He was about the same age as Eric.”

The officer who strangled Garner in 2014 has never been charged. He was fired in 2019 after being found guilty in a disciplinary trial for using a choke on Garner and then sued the city for his dismissal.

NBA superstar LeBron James, Cleveland Browns player Odell Beckham Jr. and other athletes have expressed outrage over Floyd’s death.

CNN’s Christina Maxouris, Melissa Alonso, Josh Campbell, Mirna Alsharif, Sara Sidner and Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.

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