Editor’s note: We endeavor to bring you the most complete news coverage possible. Here is an article depicting the cities that have handled the George Floyd protests and riots in a more production manner.
While many major cities in the U.S. have had to deal with riots and looting in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, some cities have handled the violence worse than others.
After video released last week showed four Minnesota Police officers pinning Floyd to the ground shortly before his death, protests sprung up across the country, with some turning violent. The riots began in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where over 250 buildings were damaged amid the chaos. The rioters were given a major symbolic victory, when officers abandoned Minneapolis’ 3rd Police Precinct. The evacuation was ordered by Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who received criticism from President Donald Trump and others. (RELATED: ‘You Give An Inch, They Take A Mile’: Rudy Giuliani Says Letting A Police Precinct Fall Opened Floodgates For Riots)
Other major cities, including Washington D.C. and New York City, have also come under fire for their handling of the riots. Democratic New York Mayor Bill de Blasio attempted to pass blame off on Trump for violence engulfing the Big Apple, but now finds himself taking heat from all sides of the political spectrum. Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo claimed Tuesday that de Blasio refused assistance from the National Guard. Former Republican New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani called on de Blasio to resign, while Donald Trump Jr. accused him of being a “leftwing hack.”
Mayor de Blasio needs to step down. He is incompetent. We are losing a tremendous amount of property. We are seeing people damaged and hurt.
Pretty soon, we’re going to lose lives if this man doesn’t get out of the way and let someone activate the police department!
— Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) June 2, 2020
This is what leadership, action and law & order from @realDonaldTrump looks like.
Big difference between this and what all these leftwing hacks like De Blasio have been doing…Dem mayors and Govs need to follow the President’s lead and protect law-abiding Americans! https://t.co/53T6zl7qNL
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 2, 2020
Perhaps the most shocking imagery came from Washington, D.C., where the nation’s capital was set ablaze over the weekend. The carnage engulfed Lafayette Square, where St. John’s Episcopal Church was set on fire. The historic church has been visited by every president since the early 19th century. Trump walked to the church from the White House Monday, where he held up a Bible, and called for an end to the violence.
BREAKING. Some protesters have jumped the gated barrier at Lafayette Park. US Park Police push them back. The White House is behind the US Park Police l & the Secret Service. @MSNBC @nbcwashington #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/RzJgnvv7Vq
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) May 31, 2020
The president was moved to an underground bunker, as protesters and Secret Service agents clashed outside the White House this past weekend. Trump criticized Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser for her response this weekend, accusing her of hamstringing the police. Bowser has strongly criticized the president’s proposal to send in active duty military to squash the riots, and accused Trump and police Tuesday of targeting peaceful protesters. The mayor has also suggested, without evidence, that organizations are paying protesters to act violently.
While the entire country has had to deal with these riots, Washington D.C., New York, and Minneapolis stand out as cities that have allowed the violence to spiral out of control.