The controversial death of George Floyd in Minneapolis this week has been followed by nationwide riots. On Friday, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with 3rd-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of Floyd.
As The Minnesota Sun reported, the protests first started Minneapolis where they quickly turned to riots.
Wednesday night’s riots were marked by widespread looting, vandalism, and arson, leaving portions of south Minneapolis in ruins. In one case, a construction site being developed for low-income housing was set ablaze early Thursday morning and collapsed into the street below it as rioters cheered.
Riots became so severe in Minneapolis that Gov. Tim Walz called up the Minnesota National Guard in an attempt to get control of the situation.
These random acts of hooliganism have now spread to Columbus where rioters Friday morning started fires, broke statehouse’s windows and entered Ohio’s capital.
In the videos below, people can be seen using numerous objects to break the windows including trash cans and skateboards.
In the videos below, people can be seen using numerous objects to break the windows including trash cans and skateboards.
WATCH: Columbus protesters targeting the Ohio Statehouse just a little bit ago. State troopers responded from inside & Columbus PD came over from the nearby street. pic.twitter.com/4P7kRNVMv5
— Tyler Buchanan (@Tylerjoelb) May 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/MambaJama/status/1266223737663299584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1266223737663299584%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpjmedia.com%2Fnews-and-politics%2Fpaula-bolyard%2F2020%2F05%2F29%2Fviolent-rioters-breach-ohio-statehouse-breaking-windows-and-entering-building-to-protest-death-of-george-floyd-n454462
Police formed a line in front of the Statehouse. People dispersed along High St.
These are scenes of damage from earlier this evening.
We will share updates in the morning on #GoodDayColumbus on @wsyx6 & @fox28columbus. pic.twitter.com/WLTpwTs5bH
— Haley Nelson Peña (@HaleyNelsonPena) May 29, 2020
Flags on fire outside the @OhioStatehouse tonight. We have team coverage of the protests across multiple @10TV platforms. #10TV pic.twitter.com/SE6YBk2esf
— Brittany Bailey (@BrittBaileyTV) May 29, 2020
Tyler Buchanan, who is a reporter for the Ohio Capitol Journal, said that the rioters fled once the police came to the scene.
A large crowd of people just tried to break into the Ohio Statehouse. Trash cans, etc thrown at windows. Then the group fled back down the steps when state troopers approached the doors from the inside.
— Tyler Buchanan (@Tylerjoelb) May 29, 2020
A total of 28 statehouse windows were smashed during these riots, according to Fox 8.
At his press conference on Friday, Gov. Mike DeWine responded to the incidents at the state’s Capitol.
“Protests expressing outrage are not only understandable, but they are also appropriate. We want Ohioans to exercise their First Amendment rights no matter what they’re protesting,” he said. “Ohioans should speak out against wrongdoing. Ohioans should speak out for change. They should speak out for unity for an end to injustice. In all aspects of our lives, we must not allow hate to prevail over love, kindness, and compassion.”
DeWine said he hears the voices of frustration, but he asked citizens that do protest to do it peacefully.
“We must not fight violence with more violence,” he said.
Also at the press conference, DeWine told Ohio’s African American community that he hears their voice.
“I want to make sure that, as governor of this state, I say to every African American man, woman, and child – you are valued and an essential part of this community,” he said. I hear the voices of frustration. I receive those words and emotions with empathy and a commitment to seek solutions and justice when it is denied.”
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of Star News Digital Media. If you have any tips, email Zachery at [email protected]. Follow Zachery on Twitter @zacheryschmidt2.
Photo “Ohio Capitol Riots” by Tyler Buchanan.
