Videos circulating online depict a troubling incident where law enforcement deployed paint rounds against Minneapolis residents on their own properties. Over the weekend, protests erupted nationwide in response to the death of George Floyd, highlighting issues of racial injustice and police brutality. As tensions escalated, the National Guard was called in to manage the situation. However, a widely shared video reveals National Guard members running through a quiet residential area in Minneapolis, launching paint rounds at individuals simply standing on their porches.
“Spread this widely: National Guard and police are sweeping our neighborhood and shooting paint canisters at us while we’re on our own front porches,” tweeted local resident Sarah Johnson, alongside the footage capturing the event. This incident occurred in the Whittier neighborhood, close to where Floyd was fatally restrained by former officer Derek Chauvin. Some online commenters suggested that the residents deserved this treatment for violating curfew. Yet, according to the Minneapolis curfew directive, the curfew was set for 8 p.m.—the video was posted at 7:37 p.m.—and those targeted were merely on their own property.
In a separate incident, a journalist covering these protests suffered serious injuries from a paint round, requiring surgery and risking her vision. “It was the police who shot me, not the protesters,” she later tweeted, adding that it was protesters who rushed her to the hospital and provided medical assistance when she couldn’t see due to the injury.
Cities such as Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Atlanta have called for National Guard support amid the unrest. However, one anonymous member of the Minnesota Guard expressed concern, stating, “We’re a combat unit, not trained for riot control or safe civilian interaction. Many soldiers are worried about causing harm, and there are concerns about liability.” This raises a critical question: does the presence of the National Guard truly benefit a community during such volatile times?
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Conclusion
In summary, the use of paint rounds against residents by the National Guard in Minneapolis raises significant concerns about the handling of civil unrest and the safety of civilians. The events surrounding the protests highlight the need for critical evaluation of law enforcement responses in times of societal distress.