Early footage showed people peacefully walking down the streets, chanting the name of George Floyd, or "Black Lives Matter". Police began to warn motorists away from a stretch of the city around 11 pm, between the Ferry Street Bridge and Chambers Street, and primarily along 6th and 7th Avenues.
By midnight, the intersection at Washington and 7th was blocked by a growing bonfire.
Demonstrators began dragging several dumpsters, tables, and signs into it, and fireworks were heard exploding at the scene.
Once rioters began smashing windows of several neighborhood businesses, police intervened. Tear gas was seen billowing out, causing the crowds to largely disperse. Some activists confronted those destroying property, yelling 鈥淭his is not love!鈥� The EPD says a second fire was started on Lawrence subsequently, with a crowd of more than 50 people.
鈥淲hat is happening tonight is not a legitimate, free speech event,鈥� said EPD Chief Chris Skinner. 鈥淚t is illegal, irresponsible, is destroying local business and city property. It threatens the reputation of other peaceful and lawful events that don鈥檛 damage our city and put our residents and guests in harm鈥檚 way.鈥�
Some social media observers noted that most of the destruction was carried out by whites, purportedly in the name of black justice. One person tweeted that black people will 鈥済et blamed鈥� for it, while another noted the bonfire was dangerously close to a homeless camp.
Many protests have happened nationwide, to protest Floyd鈥檚 death at the hands of Minneapolis police.
Derek Chauvin - the now fired Minneapolis Police Department officer seen kneeling on Floyd鈥檚 neck - has been charged with third degree murder and second degree manslaughter. Three other officers who were present have not yet been charged or arrested.
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