GOVERNOR Tim Walz of Minnesota has activated the National Guard in response to protests over the police custody death of George Floyd.
George Floyd was killed while in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department and in the days following rallies took place in the city as well as Los Angeles. But the protests turned to looting with some people being tear gassed and seriously injured.
Tim Walz claims that the National Guard was being activated to help protect those who wished to live and demonstrate in a peaceful manner.
Walz released the following statement on Thursday: ‘Our state watched Mr. Floyd’s humanity be erased.”
“Our feelings of anguish, anger, and disillusionment are justified, and we must continue to seek justice and fairness. We must continue to examine and address the systemic inequities and discrimination that led to this incident and many others in the past. Since Mr. Floyd’s death, thousands of Minnesotans have expressed their frustration in a peaceful and constructive manner.”
“Demonstrators have gathered in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding communities to protest Mr. Floyd’s death. Peaceful demonstrations are a keystone of our democratic system. We must also allow those who wish to protest peacefully to do so safely. Unfortunately, some individuals have engaged in unlawful and dangerous activity, including arson, rioting, looting, and damaging public and private property.”
“These activities threaten the safety of lawful demonstrators and other Minnesotans, and both first responders and demonstrators have already been injured. Many businesses, including businesses owned by people of color, have suffered damage as a result of this unlawful activity.”
“The City of Minneapolis has exhausted its resources and called for assistance from mutual aid partners to ensure immediate response to protect life, safety, and property. These mutual aid partners have fully committed their available resources. The Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have activated their emergency operations plan, and the Mayors of both cities have requested the assistance of the Minnesota National Guard to help provide security and restore safety.”
“The State Emergency Operations Center (‘SEOC’) is currently activated for the COVID-19 response and has implemented the Minnesota Emergency Operations Plan. State agencies are providing assistance to local governments. The SEOC will concurrently support both the 2 COVID-19 response and the City of Minneapolis, the City of St. Paul, and surrounding communities during this situation.”
“For these reasons, I declare a peacetime emergency in the City of Minneapolis, the City of St. Paul, and surrounding communities and order as follows:
1. The Adjutant General will order to state active duty on May 28, 2020 the personnel, equipment, and facilities needed to support emergency operations and response.
2. The Adjutant General is authorized to procure the goods and services needed to accomplish the mission.
3. The Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will continue to coordinate the provision of on-site support and assistance to affected local government and assess the need for supplementary emergency assistance.
4. State agencies, in cooperation with appropriate federal agencies, will provide assistance to local units of government as they respond to and recover from this emergency.
5. The costs of this assistance shall be paid from the general fund as allowed by Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 192.52. This Executive Order and declaration of peacetime emergency is effective immediately under Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 4.035, subdivision 2, and its duration is governed by Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 12.31, subdivision 2.”
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