Distrust of cops rears head in city

Black man’s suicide fed more Minneapolis rage

Tensions and anger have been running high in Minneapolis since Floyd’s May 25 death, and some activists say community members are mobilizing more quickly as incidents occur, refusing to wait for explanations from a city police department they don’t trust.

But others say the unrest that unfolded Wednesday, which damaged multiple business and resulted in more than 130 arrests, had nothing to do with anger but was due to opportunists intent on committing crimes.

“I just think that things have reached a boiling point and people are fed up,” said community activist Nekima Levy Armstrong. “Now we’re at a breaking point where there is no tolerance for even a hint of police abuse or police murder.”

Emotions have remained raw over the death of Floyd, a handcuffed Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes. Floyd’s death sparked protests worldwide, including several nights of violence in Minneapolis.

Demonstrators also gathered in Minneapolis this week to protest after Jacob Blake, a Black man, was shot multiple times by police in Wisconsin on Sunday, leaving him paralyzed.

Wednesday’s unrest began after a man who was suspected in a homicide shot himself in a retail area as police were closing in. Police released surveillance video within 90 minutes that confirmed the police account of a suicide, as Police Chief Medaria Arradondo tried to dispel rumors circulating on social media.

Levy Armstrong said she went to the scene and showed the video to demonstrators, and some of them left. But she said she understands why some people would think the police were to blame.

Businesses were burglarized during the unrest and authorities said two officers were injured. The Fire Department responded to four fires at area businesses.

Mayor Jacob Frey and the chief said future violence would not be tolerated.

Jeff Wheeler The Associated Press A police officer lies on the ground after being struck by an object Wednesday in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis mayor imposed a curfew Wednesday night and requested National Guard help after unrest broke out downtown following what authorities said was misinformation about the death of a Black homicide suspect.