Ahead of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s second-degree murder trial, hundreds have gathered in the heavily-fortified streets of Minneapolis to protest.
“Hundreds of people demanding justice for George Floyd and others killed by police as the trial of Derek Chauvin begins in Minneapolis,” Star-Tribune video journalist Mark Vancleave said on Twitter, attaching a video of the crowd.
Hundreds of people demanding justice for George Floyd and others killed by police as the trial of Derek Chauvin begins in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/lnS5B3bbrR
— Mark Vancleave (@MDVancleave) March 8, 2021
Sunday, hundreds of protestors also marched in downtown Minneapolis:
NOW – George Floyd protesters march through downtown Minneapolis as the city prepares for possible pre-trial riots.pic.twitter.com/20J3kggQjr
— Disclose.tv 🚨 (@disclosetv) March 7, 2021
The jury selection phase of Chauvin’s trial began Monday.
Chauvin stands accused of murdering Floyd last year by kneeling on his back during an arrest. Three other former Minneapolis police officers involved in the incident have also been charged for failing to intervene. Floyd’s autopsy showed potentially deadly levels of illicit narcotics in his system at the time of his death.
Floyd’s death, which was captured on video, sparked a summer of nationwide rioting across America, which was largely explained away by the left-wing media. Less than a month ago, a Minneapolis diner sued the city for nearly five million dollars, claiming that it was negligent in its duty to stop rioters from committing acts of destruction.
As of Monday morning, the protests in Minneapolis have remained peaceful.
Protesters arrive at 8am as the trial begins in Minneapolis for Derek Chauvin who is accused of murdering George Floyd. (thread) pic.twitter.com/JE5D6trCTf
— daviss (@daviss) March 8, 2021
But the city is preparing for the worst.
The National Guard has been deployed to maintain order, and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), which is already depleted after last year’s riots, is struggling to recruit new officers.
Meanwhile, the city asked for help from outside law enforcement agencies, who did not guarantee that they would answer the call.
“Three police organizations representing more than 10,000 police officers, 300 police chiefs, and 87 county sheriff’s offices sent a letter to the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Safety, Criminal Justice Reform, Finance and Policy Division remaining non-committal over whether they’ll assist the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) during the upcoming trial of former MPD officer Derek Chauvin,” The Minnesota Sun reported.
Those organizations are upset over what they believe to be an anti-police bias among local and national lawmakers.
“Our members remain concerned, however, that no matter what legislation is passed, the response for mutual aid will not be as robust as the public may expect,” the letter said. “Our members’ concern is due to the continued demonization of law enforcement officers by certain public officials at various levels of government.”
Far-left Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), whose congressional district includes Minneapolis, was particularly harsh on law enforcement in the wake of Floyd’s death, calling the MPD “rotten to the core.”
Last week, the U.S. House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which Democrats say will bring sweeping police and criminal justice reforms to America’s cities.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Minnesota Sun and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Day One of Chauvin Trial” by daviss.
