Protests erupt locally at Austin Capitol following Minneapolis police killing (Gallery)
May 30, 2020
Austin today became the latest scene of nationwide protests following the killing of a black man by Minneapolis police earlier this week.
More than 1,500 Texas state troopers were sent Saturday to various cities by Gov. Greg Abbott to help control protests over the death of Houston native George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
“Texas and America mourn the senseless loss of George Floyd and the actions that led to his death are reprehensible and should be condemned in the strongest terms possible,” Abbott said in a news release. “As Texans exercise their First Amendment rights, it is imperative that order is maintained and private property is protected.”
The troopers were being sent to Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, the governor said.
In Austin, hundreds of people gathered outside police headquarters and many later marched peacefully along Interstate 35 as police shut down the interstate to traffic.
The rally was for both Floyd and Michael Ramos, a 42-year-old man who was fatally shot last month by Austin police.
In a statement to Austin media Ramos’ mother, Brenda Ramos, issued a plea for calm.
“I am heartbroken over the terrible murder of George Floyd. I understand the anger. But I am pleading with the community, please do not commit violence in my son Mike’s name,” the statement said.
LIVE: Protestors gather outside @Austin_Police headquarters calling for justice in the deaths of #GeorgeFloyd in #Minneapolis and #MichaelRamos in #Austin. STORY: https://t.co/C3TXsX60rp https://t.co/p5Xl5XtRST
— KVUE News (@KVUE) May 30, 2020
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said nearly 200 people were arrested Friday during a protest in which many blocked an Interstate 45 ramp and a highway.
Those arrested “participated in unlawful assemblies,” Acevedo said Saturday on Twitter. “Most will be charged with obstructing a roadway,”
Protesters also blocked a Dallas interstate and one officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said on Twitter.
Authorities in Dallas used tear gas and those in Houston used pepper spray to disperse crowds that numbered in the hundreds. Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall said officers were making sure the protest was peaceful when violence began.
“Then all of a sudden bricks start hailing, hitting our squad cars, hitting the officers … I almost got hit with a brick,” Hall said.
It was not clear how many were arrested in Dallas and police did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Saturday.
Protests have spread across the U.S., fueled by outrage over Floyd’s death. On Friday, the white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck was arrested and charged with murder.
Around the Nation:
Protests brought on more issues and confrontations overnight Friday and Saturday.
SALT LAKE CITY
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has activated the Utah National Guard after protesters angry over Floyd’s death turned violent during a demonstration in Salt Lake City at which some participants carried rifles.
Herbert says in a tweet that the Guard will help control “the escalating situation” in the downtown area following the unrest Saturday afternoon.
The protest started peacefully but degenerated into violence. A group of people flipped over a police car and lit it on fire. Some demonstrators smashed eggs and wrote graffiti on the walls of the Salt Lake City police station. Others marched through downtown to the state Capitol.
LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti imposed a downtown curfew for Saturday night after some protests turned violent.
With protesters back out Saturday, Garcetti said everyone must be off downtown streets by 8 p.m. and stay away until 5:30 a.m.
Several police cars were torched Saturday afternoon as some protesters ignored authorities’ call for peaceful demonstrations.
That followed a night of violence during which people smashed windows, robbed stores and set fires. Los Angeles police reported arresting 533 people during the night.
SEATTLE
The Washington State Patrol has closed Interstate 5 in both directions through downtown Seattle after the protest there spilled onto the freeway.
Thousands of people gathered in the downtown area Saturday for a largely peaceful demonstration, but some protesters turned rowdier as the afternoon wore on. Police used pepper spray on the demonstrators and deployed flash bang devices.
Police said arrests were made, but an exact figure wasn’t available.
State patrol Chief John Batiste said in a statement that “the freeway is not a safe or appropriate place for demonstration.”
MINNEAPOLIS
Several Minneapolis City Council members are asking Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to appoint the state’s attorney general as a special prosecutor in the Floyd’s death.
Six of the council’s 13 members say they support a call from Floyd’s family for Attorney General Keith Ellison to handle the prosecution of the police officer who held his knee on Floyd’s neck Monday. The council members say they don’t think Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman has the public trust necessary for the job.
Freeman on Friday charged now-fired officer Derek Chauvin with third-degree murder in Floyd’s death. Chauvin is white; Floyd was black.
The council members say Freeman waited too long in bringing charges. They say Ellison, who is black, is best qualified to handle the case. They also cite a working group he helped lead on deaths involving police.