Armed citizens in Minneapolis, Minnesota , gathered outside to protect businesses from looters seemingly taking advantage of the protest related to the death of George Floyd. Protesting in the city has become so extensive that some business owners had to take matters into their own hands to stop their shops from being destroyed.
Minnesota Reform reporter Max Nesterak interviewed two men describing themselves as “heavily armed rednecks” who took to the streets to support protesters but block looters from damaging some retail establishments.
“Basically you see the records that cops keep. And cops are a lot less likely to try and tread on people’s rights when there’s other armed Americans with them.
“I figured it’s about damn time that some heavily armed rednecks stood with fellow citizens.”
These guys say they support the protests but not the looting. Showed up to help this tobacco store owner stop people from breaking in pic.twitter.com/x2FMQiQwVK
— Max Nesterak (@maxnesterak) May 28, 2020
Alleged looters have taken advantage of the protest, which has been ongoing over the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man who reportedly died while in police custody.
Floyd’s death is considered a matter of racist police brutality by many, and mourners have taken to the streets in his hometown to demand justice be served to the four officers involved.
Floyd’s case accelerated after video footage of the arrest showed an officer with his knee on Floyd’s neck, applying pressure to his throat and appearing to hamper his ability to breathe, which is believed to have caused his death.
Autozone and Target are on fire pic.twitter.com/GQ1vu8DJpx
— Max Nesterak (@maxnesterak) May 28, 2020
While being interviewed, the men noted that a nearby Target was on fire, and Nesterak shared videos of several other businesses that could be seen billowing smoke in the wake of the rioters.
The bearded protectors with rifles strapped to their chests were clear about their mission: protect the right to protest and protect the businesses and their owners who are essentially innocent bystanders to the culture wars playing out.
“It turns out these guys are out here with machetes and shattered windows trying to keep looters out of the businesses ’cause cops can’t get in here.
“So I figured before there were cops, there were just Americans, so here we are. Bottom line, justice for Floyd and I hope they stop looting at some point.”
Both President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden weighed in on Floyd’s death, as was previously reported by The Inquisitr . Trump told reporters that he was withholding judgment until he was able to see a full report. Biden made a call for justice by saying that he would ensure Floyd’s family received justice.
