The Department of Justice has made the investigation into Floyd's death a 'top priority,' Erica MacDonald, attorney for state of Minnesota, said at a press conference.
After a second night of protests in the wake of George Floyd's death Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called in assistance from the National Guard.The death of George Floyd, a black man who was seen pinned down in a video by a white police officer and later died, has caused outrage in the city of Minneapolis and all over the country.
Residents of the city have protested his death since Tuesday. Though they have been mostly peaceful, on Wednesday, officials said"a core group of people" not from Minneapolis caused destruction.6:25 p.m.: Investigation is 'top priority' for DOJ The Department of Justice has made the investigation into Floyd's death a"top priority," Erica MacDonald, attorney for state of Minnesota, said at a press conference. MacDonald said President Donald Trump and Attorney General Bill Barr are"directly and actively" monitoring the case. "It is critical, it is essential, it is imperative that the investigation is done right and done right the first time," she said."And that is what we are going to do."Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman asked for"patience."He said his office has been flooded with calls on the status of the investigation. The main question, he said, has been,"what're you gonna do about the murder of George Floyd?"He called the officer's action"excessive and wrong," but said he needs to determine if it was criminal.There was a delay in starting the press conference, which MacDonald apologized for and said she was hoping to share a development but that it was not the right time.The police officer seen in a video with his knee on Floyd's neck was involved in 18 complaints prior to being fired, according to records released by the city. Derek Chauvin, who was fired following Floyd's death, was only disciplined for two of those complaints, according to the city records.In an image made from video posted to Facebook, a Minneapolis police officer kneels on the neck of a man identified by a family attorney as George Floyd, May 25, 2020. Floyd died shortly after the incident. In an image made from video posted to Facebook, a Minneapolis police officer kneels on the neck of a man identified by a family attorney as George Floyd, May 25, 2020. Floyd died shortly after the incident.Tou Thao, who was the officer seen standing up in the video, had six complaints, one of which remains open, according to the records. Thao, who was also fired, was not disciplined for the other five complaints.5:15 p.m.: Governor signs executive order activating National Guard Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order activating the Minnesota National Guard following Wednesday night's protests. Walz said the purpose of the National Guard was"to protect people, to protect people safely demonstrating, and to protect small business owners." "The anger and grief of this moment is unbearable. People deserve to be seen. People deserve to be heard. People deserve to be safe," he said in a statement."While many Minnesotans are taking extensive safety precautions while exercising their right to protest, the demonstration last night became incredibly unsafe for all involved." The National Guard Adjutant General will work with local government agencies to provide personnel, equipment, and facilities needed to respond to and recover from the protests, according to Walz's office. There will also be about 200 members of the Minnesota State Patrol that will work with state, county, and local community and public safety partners. State Patrol helicopters and fixed wind aircraft on the ground will assist law enforcement officers, the governor's office said.The families of Floyd, Breonna Taylor and-- all of whom died after incidents with current and former law enforcement -- are demanding change and calling for government action to address this"national crisis." "We're devastated about the senseless violence that has broken the hearts of our families," the families said in a joint statement."While we are grateful for the outpouring of love and support, it's important that now – more than ever – we use our voices to enact change, demand accountability within our justice system and keep the legacies of Breonna, Ahmaud and George alive. This is a national crisis and our government needs to take immediate and widespread action to protect our black and brown communities." The families have called for a congressional hearing and a national task force to create new bipartisan legislation that is aimed at ending racial violence and increasing police accountability. This undated photo courtesy of Breonna Taylor family shows Breonna posing during a graduation ceremony in Louisville, Ky. This undated photo courtesy of Breonna Taylor family shows Breonna posing during a graduation ceremony in Louisville, Ky.They will also present a case to United Nation Human Rights Committee for sweeping changes to the nation's criminal justice system. A date for when they would be presenting their case was not provided. Taylor, a black woman, was a front-line worker who died after a police-involved shooting. Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, were sleeping inside their Springfield Drive apartment on March 13 when officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department attempted to execute a"no-knock" search warrant.
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