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The following video and thread is a recounting of events from Salecia Barry, a Minneapolis resident and activist who protested during the #MinneapolisUprising on the night of May 28th 2020.
We posted the video and the following thread so that people can have an accurate account of what happened from the perspective of activists who were directly involved in the protesting of #GeorgeFloyd’s murder.
- George Floyd was killed by members of the Minneapolis Police Department outside of Cup Foods.
- The protest on 38th & Chicago that started May 26th, 2020 were peaceful. No one could say with certainty what organization or group of people had started the protest.
- The protest on 38th & Chicago that started May 26th, 2020 were peaceful. No one could say with certainty what organization or group of people had started the protest.
- The only name given as a "protest organizer" was Jonathan Mason.
- Someone in the crowd says “We’re at the precinct with it” after I deescalate a young man from throwing a brick into Cup Foods. I can’t see who and a portion of people take off towards the precinct.
- Someone in the crowd says “We’re at the precinct with it” after I deescalate a young man from throwing a brick into Cup Foods. I can’t see who and a portion of people take off towards the precinct.
- The 3rd Precinct is occupied by peaceful protesters.
- By the evening, folks are looting Target and there are several fires, all started by white men that I can see.
- By the evening, folks are looting Target and there are several fires, all started by white men that I can see.
- Jacob Pederson, an undercover cop, was seen taking a hammer to the windows of AutoZone, where the looting originally began
- Saint Paul businesses around Midway and Northend began closing at 6pm.
- Saint Paul businesses around Midway and Northend began closing at 6pm.
- Facebook Live Feeds begin glitching and being interrupted. Videos are just getting deleted.
- GPS signals began to malfunction - random reroutes, not accounting for construction, lagging in response time to location to slow down other supporters from getting to the site.
- GPS signals began to malfunction - random reroutes, not accounting for construction, lagging in response time to location to slow down other supporters from getting to the site.
- Police are never seen apprehending people with stolen merchandise.
- The only people they are attacking are unarmed protesters.
- National Guard is brought in. 500 people with permission to use lethal force. None of this is happening to folks who are looting.
- The only people they are attacking are unarmed protesters.
- National Guard is brought in. 500 people with permission to use lethal force. None of this is happening to folks who are looting.
- 10pm the MPD gas an unarmed crowd after someone throws a gallon of milk and runs. (A trained activist would know milk is a resource and they ran knowing the police would respond)
- Police gas the crowd a second time shortly after this time unprovoked.
- Police gas the crowd a second time shortly after this time unprovoked.
- Gordon Parks and other buildings are engulfed in flames. There are still demonstrators near there. No one can get to them as police have barricaded all accessible streets.
- Smoke from the building made it hard to see above you, there is aircraft above we can hear but can’t see.
- Children are out in the crowd. We direct several people to remove them immediately. Not everyone listens.
- Children are out in the crowd. We direct several people to remove them immediately. Not everyone listens.
- There are popping sounds happening in succession near the park. We hope they are rubber bullets. We can’t get to the folks near Gordon Parks.
My friend and I leave, we intentionally take back roads to avoid police confrontation. We still come in contact with tear gas.
My friend and I leave, we intentionally take back roads to avoid police confrontation. We still come in contact with tear gas.
- There is an ambulance parked on the corner of the back road we tried to take, police are still driving through.
- Police are using barricade tactics to hinder protesters from leaving the site.
- Police are using barricade tactics to hinder protesters from leaving the site.
- All the businesses that are being targeted the worst, are actually resources to the communities in them.
- POLICE ARE NOT APPREHENDING ANY OF THE LOOTERS. THEY ARE TARGETING PROTESTERS.
- There are hundreds of officers outside of the killer’s house.
- POLICE ARE NOT APPREHENDING ANY OF THE LOOTERS. THEY ARE TARGETING PROTESTERS.
- There are hundreds of officers outside of the killer’s house.
- Mike Freeman’s home is also guarded with police.
- Cup Food’s owners homes are covered by police.
- Cup Food’s owners homes are covered by police.
None of the places we are actually mad about have been touched. Only our resources. And with videos of undercover police inciting riots at businesses that help us, I am led to believe this is a plot against the people.
