Lawless America: Police officer is shot in the head in Vegas, four officers are shot in St Louis, cops are rammed by an SUV in Buffalo and looters ransack Manhattan on another night of riots across US after Trump vowed to crack down
- Looters descended on New York City's luxury stores for a second night in a row on Monday
- Vandals were seen smashing storefronts amid a heavy presence of NYPD officers aiming to stop destruction
- Clashes between police and protesters broke out in other cities including Minneapolis, DC and Philadelphia
- Two people were shot and killed in the Chicago suburb of Cicero, where at least 60 others were arrested
- In Buffalo, New York, shocking video showed cops confronting protesters in the street before a car rammed into officers, leaving two people injured
- Meanwhile, an active duty military police battalion is on its way to the nation's Capitol to help patrol streets
- The deployment marks the first time that the Army has been sent in to patrol US streets since the 1992 LA riots
- It came as President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to mobilize 'thousands and thousands' of soldiers in cities across the country to 'end riots and lawlessness'
Four cops were shot in St Louis last night as America was gripped by a seventh straight night of destruction in the wake of George Floyd's death despite Donald Trump's threats of military force.
Rioters opened fire and wounded four officers in St Louis while others hurled rocks, launched fireworks and poured gas over cops in scenes of 'mayhem' on Monday night.
An emotional police chief condemned the looters who were 'tearing up cities' with 'no intention of doing anything constructive' as he revealed the four injured officers were in hospital but likely to survive.
Another cop was reportedly on life support today after he was shot in the head in Las Vegas in one of two outbreaks of gunfire in the city.
Donald Trump showed no sign of backing down last night as he threatened to mobilize 'thousands and thousands' of soldiers in cities across the country to bring the 'riots and lawlessness' to an end.
While he spoke, police were firing tear gas to disperse protesters outside the White House - clearing the way for Trump to stroll across Lafayette Square for a photo opportunity at a historic fire-damaged church.
In New York City, looters descended on luxury stores for a second night in a row as peaceful protests gave way to looting when the sun went down - including at the Macy's flagship store.
The NYPD had dispatched a fleet of officers in a bid to prevent the destruction of the night before but one cop was beaten on a sidewalk while others were powerless to stop the looting.
In Buffalo, New York, shocking video showed police confronting a group of protesters in the street before a car rammed into officers. Officials said two people were injured in that incident.
Clashes between police and protesters broke out in many other cities including Minneapolis, Washington DC, Philadelphia and in the Chicago suburb of Cicero, where two people were fatally shot and at least 60 others were arrested.
The has been rocked by six straight nights of tumult since George Floyd, a black man, was killed in Minneapolis after a white police officer pinned him to the ground by kneeling on his neck last Monday.
Floyd, who was in handcuffs at the time, died after the white officer ignored bystander shouts to get off him and Floyd's cries that he couldn't breathe.
His death, captured on citizen video, has sparked days of protests in Minneapolis that quickly spread to cities across America.
Trump told reporters his administration is 'fully committed' to serving justice for George Floyd, but said he believed the looters and violent protests are distracting from that goal.
He declared himself the 'president of law and order' and threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy the military.
While Trump spoke, police were heard firing tear gas and deploying flash bangs in an effort to disperse protesters chanting: 'Don't shoot' in Lafayette Park outside the White House.
'All Americans were rightly sickened and revolted by the brutal death of George Floyd,' Trump said.
'My administration is fully committed that for judge and his family, justice will be served. He will not have died in vain.
'But we cannot allow the righteous cries of peaceful protesters to be drowned out by an angry mob. The biggest victims of the rioting is peace loving citizens in our poorest communities. And as their president, I will fight to keep them safe. I will fight to protect you.
'I am your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters. But in recent days, our nation has been gripped by professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals, rioters, Antifa and others.'
He then revealed his intention to invoke the Insurrection Act, saying: 'I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them. I am also taking swift and decisive action to protect our great capitol, Washington, DC. What happened in this city last night was a total disgrace.'
'Those who threaten innocent life and property will be arrested, detained and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I want the organizers of this terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail.'
Between 200 and 250 military personnel from a unit at Fort Bragg in North Carolina were reportedly expected to arrive in DC as early as Monday night, three Pentagon officials told CNN.
The deployment marks the first time that the Army has been sent in to patrol US streets in nearly 30 years since the 1992 Los Angeles riots sparked by the brutal police custody death of Rodney King.
The troops are expected to provide security in the capital but will not perform law enforcement duties such as arrest and detention of protesters or rioters, per CNN.
What is St John's Episcopal Church?
St John's Episcopal Church stands across Lafayette Square from the White House - giving it the nickname of 'Church of the Presidents'.
The church held its first service in October 1816, when James Madison was president, and every president since Madison has attended a service there.
Pew 54 is reserved for the president whenever he visits in a tradition dating back to Madison's day.
St John's also has a link to Revolutionary War hero Paul Revere, whose son Joseph cast the bell for the church steeple in 1822.
President James Monroe approved a $100 public contribution towards the bell, which has been in constant use ever since.
The church also had a set of stained glass windows manufactured in France which were installed at St John's in the 1880s.
Timeline: George Floyd's death at the hands to Minneapolis police sparks nationwide protests
George Floyd (pictured) said 'I can't breathe' when Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for eight minutes
Monday, May 25
Cell phone video shows George Floyd, handcuffed and pinned to the ground, with one police officer - Derek Chauvin - kneeling on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Floyd was unresponsive.
Floyd, 46, is heard pleading: 'I can't breathe', as he is arrested by four cops for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. He later died.
Tuesday, May 26
Four Minneapolis officers involved in the incident, including Chauvin and Tou Thao, are fired. Minnesota Mayor Jacob Frey says it is 'the right call'.
As calls mount for the cops to face murder charges, the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launch an investigation.
That night, the first of several protests over Floyd's death take place in Minneapolis, with protesters shouting: 'I can't breathe!'
These words echo Floyd's plea to officers but the phrase also became a rallying cry in 2014 after the death of Eric Garner, another black man who was killed in police custody during an arrest for the illegal sale of cigarettes.
Wednesday, May 27
Protests continue into a second night in Minneapolis and spread nationwide to Los Angeles and Memphis, Tennessee.
As anger mounts, the protests become violent with one person in Minneapolis shot dead, stores are looted and buildings are set on fire.
Police in riot gear fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the thousands of protesters demanding justice for Floyd.
Mayor Frey called for the officer's to be charged and said 'I want to see justice for George Floyd.'
It is revealed Chauvin been subject to at least 12 conduct reports since 2001.
Thursday, May 28
A third night of protests with demonstrations in Minneapolis, Memphis, Louisville, Phoenix, New York City and Columbus, Ohio.
Protesters burn down the Third Precinct building while 500 National Guards are dispatched to the riots in Minneapolis.
At least 70 New Yorkers are arrested after clashing with the NYPD.
Protesters in Ohio breached the city's courthouse and shots were fired at the Colorado State Capitol.
Friday, May 29
Trump warned on Twitter that 'when the looting starts, the shooting starts'
President Trump blasts ‘radial left Mayor’ Frey and warned ‘thugs’ that ‘when the looting starts, the shooting starts’ on Twitter.
The phrase comes from former Miami Police Chief Walter Headley in 1967 when referring to ‘slum hoodlums’ who he believed took advantage of the Civil Rights Movement.
Derek Chauvin, 44, was arrested Friday on charges of third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, which has sparked violent protests
Twitter flags Trump’s tweet for violating its rules about glorifying violence. It comes mere days after the president was fact-checked, sparking a row with the social media giant.
Black CNN Reporter Omar Jimenez is arrested on live TV while reporting on the riots in Minneapolis
Officer Chauvin is charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter over Floyd's death.
Mayor Frey declares a nighttime curfew in Minneapolis that begins Friday at 8pm and extends until 6am Saturday
President Trump is reportedly rushed to the White House's underground bunker and Secret Service and George Floyd protestors clash
Saturday, May 30
At least 25 cities impose emergency curfews as protests and demonstrations continue into the weekend.
11 states and the District of Columbia activate the National Guard as tensions flare.
The National Guard is deployed to Los Angeles amid protests - the first time in nearly 20 years since the 1992 Los Angeles Riots
The National Guard is activated at the White House as Secret Service agents struggle control demonstrators in Washington D.C.
Sunday, May 31
At least five people are killed during protests in Indianapolis, Chicago, Oakland, Detroit and Oakland as around 140 cities hold a sixth night of protests.
Federal Protective Services Officer Patrick Underwood is shot dead outside a federal courthouse during late night demonstrations.
The historic St. John's church, built in 1816, is set ablaze near the White House in Washington D.C. as more than 50 Secret Service agents are injured.
At least 40 cities impose emergency curfews in light of riots, violence and looting.
President Trump urges states 'get tough' by calling the National Guard to oversee protests and demands 'Law and Order!'
Trump announces on Twitter that he will designate Antifa, a loose but radical far-left group, as a terrorist organization after blaming them for protest violence.
The daughter of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Chiara de Blasio, 25, is arrested during a George Floyd protest in Manhattan.
More than 250 people are arrested in New York City as six NYPD officers are injured and looters target luxury stores in SoHo
George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests have spread internationally, with demonstrations in London and Berlin.
Derek Chauvin is moved to one of the US's most secure prisons ahead of his first court appearance on June 8.
No comments: