Outside agitators stoke unrest, ex-BPD head says
Groups hijacking ‘legitimate outrage’
Riots and looting that have besieged cities from New York to Los Angeles in response to the death of George Floyd in police custody last week could be stoked by terrorist groups outside the U.S. and others “hijacking what should be legitimate outrage” for personal gain, former Boston Police Superintendent Daniel Linskey.
“We have individuals who are hijacking what should be legitimate outrage over systemic issues of race in our society and they’re using it to engage in violence for their own purposes,” Linskey said during a Sunday morning appearance on Fox News.
In an interview with the Herald on Sunday afternoon, Linskey clarified his comments, saying this wouldn’t be the first time “agitators” latched onto periods of civil unrest in attempts to destabilize American society. Linskey said he saw instances during the Ferguson, Missouri, protests that erupted in the wake of the police killing of Michael Brown where terror groups from Pakistan posed as opposing groups on social media to escalate tensions.
Linskey said there is emerging evidence from an unnamed client of his that Russian or Chinese groups could be doing the same thing now. Linskey now serves as the managing director for Kroll Security Risk Management practice in Boston. He worked with former President Barack Obama’s administration following the Ferguson unrest.
“Why wouldn’t people who don’t like America try to get us to destroy American society and escalate race tensions higher? If you’re against America, that’s as good as a terrorist attack,” Linskey said.
As violent protests broke out in cities across the nation this weekend, several leaders — including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — have hinted at outside influence but offered few details.
Linskey condemned the May 25 killing of 46-yearold George Floyd, who died after now-fired Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin pinned his knee on the handcuffed Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd told him he couldn’t breathe.
Chauvin, 44, was arrested late Friday morning and charged with thirddegree murder and second-degree manslaughter four days after Floyd’s incustody death.
“I haven’t met a cop in America who isn’t outraged by that video,” Linskey said. “Not only was it murder and was he killed in custody, but it makes it harder for cops to do their jobs.”