51 arrests made at protests over officer’s release on bail
MINNEAPOLIS — More than four dozen people were arrested when protesters and law enforcement faced off late Wednesday in the southern part of this city after an earlier march to protest the release from state prison of Derek Chauvin, the police officer charged with killing George Floyd on May 25.
The fired officer left Oak Park Heights prison Wednesday after posting $1 million bail.
In anticipation of unrest, Gov. Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard and mobilized 100 State Patrol troopers and 75 Department of Natural Resources officers to help local law enforcement in case of trouble.
Chauvin initially was booked into Ramsey County Jail after he was charged in Floyd’s death and then moved to the state prison for security reasons.
He’s charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Wednesday evening, about 300 people marched peacefully from the site where Floyd died.
At one point, marchers paused to chant, “No justice, no peace!” They then made their way toward the site of the Floyd memorial, while motorists and bystanders honked and raised their fists in solidarity.
“Black lives matter!” a young boy shouted from the window of a building.
There were 51 arrests made by various law enforcement agencies in connection with the protests, Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said Thursday.
Elder said 49 of the arrests were for misdemeanor offenses. The Hennepin County Jail log shows many were cited for unlawful assembly.
One person was arrested for fourth-degree assault and one wanted on a felony warrant, he said.