Wolf activates Pa. National Guard for Philadelphia ahead of verdict
Gov. Tom Wolf has activated more than 1,000 Pennsylvania National Guard members at the request of Philadelphia officials to respond to any protests and potential unrest following the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin, who’s charged in the death of George Floyd.
Closing arguments in Mr. Chauvin’s trial ended Monday, and the jury is now in deliberations.
National Guard duties may include area security, manning traffic control points and providing security at critical infrastructure sites.
Philadelphia police and city officials outlined their plans Friday to respond to possible protests and the governor activated the guard the same day.
Mr. Chauvin is charged with murder in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. Following Floyd’s death, there were several days of protests in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, some of which turned violent and saw looting, vandalism and substantial property damage. The guard was used to support local law enforcement efforts in Philadelphia last May, although not until several days after the protests started.
Philadelphia and its police force faced intense criticism after several
videotaped encounters between police and protesters, including the use of tear gas and less lethal projectiles against a group of protesters trapped on Interstate 676 as they tried to retreat up a steep embankment.
Pittsburgh public safety officials said they would not discuss “operational details” but emphasized that preparations have been in the works.
“We certainly support First Amendment rights. We did that very successfully with the Rosfeld trial,” said Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich, referring to protests following the acquittal of ex-East Pittsburgh Officer Michael Rosfeld following the fatal shooting of unarmed Black teen Antwon Rose II.
“We hope to continue to support protesters with roving marches, but there comes a time when violence [occurs] — throwing items at police officers, destroying property — that we have to take action, and we hope to God that it doesn’t occur,” Mr. Hissrich said. “But there’s been a lot of planning going on behind the scenes, and we’re not going to get into the details of it, and in fact there’s meetings going on as we are speaking here today, as there is throughout the United States. We are working with our partners, whether it be the federal, state and local, and the business owners and community as well. But we are certainly asking for peace.”
The department will hold a meeting with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership in 24 to 48 hours to discuss concerns and preparations, Mr. Hissrich said.
In Philadelphia, police officials said people would notice a stronger police presence on foot, bicycle and horseback in neighborhoods. Philadelphia officials also worked with the business community to set up civilian watches in the business corridors during the next three weeks so police can be alerted quickly about any opportunistic thefts or business vandalism.
Also, Philadelphia will host a series of virtual events so people can gather as a community after the verdict, as well as partner with neighborhood groups to make sure there are safe in-person events for people to meet up if they need support, officials said.
Leaders from the Pennsylvania National Guard and the State Police are stationed at the city’s Emergency Operations Center to be able to make decisions about activation or placement of additional resources quickly, the governor’s office said.