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A police precinct in Minneapolis was on fire after protesters smashed equipment and set off fireworks. Officers had retreated after firing projectiles at the demonstrators. "Somebody got into the police station and that's when the police emerged on the roof. They have now moved to ground level."
Protesters breached the Minneapolis police precinct in the neighborhood where George Floyd died in police custody, setting fire to the building as dozens watched it burn late Thursday, according to TV footage.
Minneapolis police told local media that officers evacuated the third precinct about 10 p.m. Thursday “in the interest of the safety of our personnel.”
The takeover of the fire police precinct came after Gov. Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard Thursday following violent protests this week after Floyd’s death on Monday.
Tensions have been rising for days since the death of Floyd, a black man who died in police custody after a white officer pinned him to the ground under his knee, and further escalated Thursday night. According to reports from the scene, protesters made their way inside the building and set fires.
The Minneapolis Police Department released a statement, saying the precinct was evacuated shortly after 10 p.m. "in the interest of the safety of our personnel." The MPD confirmed that protesters "ignited several fires," but didn't offer additional information.
"The people of Minneapolis are not just protesting the public execution of George Floyd; they're fighting for their lives. Mr. Floyd's death — in addition to the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor — is yet another reminder of American law enforcement's toxic tradition of abuse, negligence, violence, and discrimination toward black people," Scott Roberts, senior director of criminal justice campaigns at Color Of Change, said in a statement.
"The protests in Minneapolis are efforts by black and brown activists to rise up against centuries-old racism within the police department and prosecutors office and resist the white supremacy that has claimed far too many black lives."
Protests are also taking place in Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, and Louisville, KY, among other cities.