Violence in Minnesota. A series.
Written as the days go by. I’d change some in light of others’ wisdom and changes in what we see.
Violence in Minnesota. A series. 1
Unless you are already suffering trauma from violence, you must see the video of the killing of George
Floyd, at least fast forward through it. Especially if you are white. Look once and remember it forever.
It is horrifying. Look at the other video (Washington Post had this) that shows what happened before
the assault on Mr. Floyd began. Remember that for many people it is only just barely an act of
imagination to think Mr. Floyd might be their son, neighbor, teacher or self. Violence, trauma, violence,
trauma, violence, trauma. George Floyd.
Violence in Minnesota. A series 2.
Violence is American as cherry pie. H. Rap Brown. I am not going to cover the ground of state-
sponsored violence and neglect that is the sweatshop that built the powder that is exploding in Minnesota
and elsewhere now. It doesn’t have to be this way. George Floyd.
Violence in Minnesota. A series. 3.
Hearing sirens again now. Gotta get off my chair and move.
It is very likely that people who care nothing about or actually celebrate the death of George Floyd are
instigating much of the trouble over the past several days. There are probably QAnon-crazed neo-Nazis
- who hope for a race war - creating this some of the violence and chaos. I took off stickers from such
racist groups from lamp posts near Target on University last month. There are FB photos (and removed
video) of a very well-prepared white guy with a very expensive looking gas mask, hammer, raincoat and
umbrella, etc. who started an attack on an auto parts store on Lake Street at the start of the big
problems the other night. He fled from protesters who confronted him. MPR reports cars and pickups
with no license plates cruising So. Mpls. and neighbors fighting off strangers trying to set fires. I hope no
more traumatized or opportunistic people fall into these traps and get caught up in looting, violence and
arson. Protesters should bring focus back to the issue at hand, accept the potential personal price of
civil disobedience and get away from no-win and harmful violence. And consider how gatherings
contribute to COVID-19 spread. Remember George Floyd.
Violence in Minnesota. A series. 4
The killing of George Floyd and fallout is traumatizing people and some respond by acting on their fear,
jealousy, anger, and now the All-American desire for more and more “stuff”. The trauma will kill many
people slowly and maybe some quickly. I hope that the people who witnessed the event are receiving
help to overcome the terrible shock received. Tell your friends and family and others to protect
themselves and “don’t watch it again.” Too much trauma. George Floyd.
Violence in Minnesota. A series 5
The world’s attention needs to be on George Floyd’s killing and how Minnesota responds to it and moves
to prevent future acts of police violence. Rioting and assault and arson are robbing this moment of its
clarity and perhaps the only opportunity to find a shred of justice in the deep shadows of the George
Floyd tragedy. If anything, there is likely to be a strong backlash to these events that will prevent
progress on these issue of police violence. We want to remember a George Floyd revolution in policing,
not George Floyd riots.
Violence in Minnesota. A series, #6
Anger, extreme anger at the killing of George Floyd is legitimate. If your heart is not wrenched by this and
so many such events, please find your humanity, you must have lost it somewhere. Is it good to act on
such extreme anger with this kind of violence? Of course not. Mob violence is a real thing that happens
around the world when angry or aggressive groups gather. You know about the violent football hooligans
in Great Britain, right? The violent hockey fans in Minneapolis? You may see mobs of kids or mobs of
cops. If there is a way to stop this violence without police and national guard please tell mayors,
governor and your neighbors. People in So. Mpls risked their lives to protect neighborhoods the last 2
nights and I see reports that some were attacked by violence instigators and by police. Stop the violence!
Remember George Floyd.
Violence in Minnesota. A series, # 7.
Derek Chauvin has been arrested. The death of George Floyd under the knee of officer Derek Chauvin
while his partners stood by would seem to be a simple murder. It probably is, but the problem is the law
as well as the enforcers. We the People authorize police to use deadly force. The courts have ruled that
police are to be judged by their own perspective - not by what is right or just for many of us. These
stand in the way of successful prosecutions. As a friend has pointed out to me, hundreds of people of
color are arrested and charged yearly in Minnesota with far less evidence and zero delay. However, the
prosecution must be done right and be handled in a way to overcome the legal barriers. It will not be an
easy case. I hope AG Ellison can bring in experienced prosecutors to assist. Remember George Floyd.
Violence in Minnesota, series. #8?
What happened at 38th and Chicago? Guessing here about what happened with the other 3.
Perpetrator is white, male, big and the senior officer at the scene and he "takes charge." Two rookies
and one experienced Hmong officer on the scene. The 3 were likely shocked at what they saw but were
not able to challenge the alpha white male in the group. (My speculation endorsed by one who knows this
stuff at the street level.) And they were even less likely to do so because George Floyd was an African
American man.
Problem is not just evil deeds by individuals but a violent culture of white male supremacy that infects all
touched by MPD. What a challenge we face, especially those who seek better policing! George Floyd,
remember him and consider the whole picture.
Violence in Minnesota A Series.
Looking to the near future. Police will have thousands of hours of their own CCTV video from the last
week of horrors. There are also regulations in Mpls requiring cctv in Gas stations with groceries, Tobacco
dealers, Grocery stores, Off-sale liquor establishments and Confectioneries – candy stores. (In 2016
there were 191 in St. Paul plus hundreds more on metro transit property. )
These videos may provide some answers about who (besides Umbrella Man) started the fires, broke the
windows, interfered with fire protections and etc. They will also show faces of people who got caught up
in a frenzy of looting - I fear that it will be easy to charge the later group and the instigators will escape
consequences. What can be done about that?
George Floyd.
Violence in Minnesota A Series. Two things you can do for near-term effects.
If you are going to hang out at 38th and Chicago, attending demonstrations, events, rallies, etc. please
take voter registration and vote-by-mail materials with you. Spread something good. Instructions on
what is required here. Remember George Floyd.
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