George Floyd protests: Pennsylvania emerges from weekend of demonstrations, more expected
Jasmine Vaughn-HallThe death of George Floyd has sparked six straight days of protests across the nation. Peaceful protests have been met with an onset of violence, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and assaults.
And, Pennsylvania is not untouched by these demonstrations which have been seen in Lancaster, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Erie, Philadelphia and more.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Sunday that 600 Guardsmen were placed on state active duty to help local law enforcement.
National Guard members remained in place early Monday in Philadelphia to protect city hall and parts of the city, a day after officials closed off many areas after peaceful protests over George Floyd’s death turned into another night of destruction.
Store windows were smashed Sunday night near City Hall, merchandise was taken from stores and police and other vehicles and structures were set afire. City leaders said dozens of arrests were made, noting that looters overwhelmed police, at times out numbering them 10 to one.
People were seen running into multiple stores in Northeast Philadelphia, well outside the city center, and emerging with merchandise. In West Philadelphia, a predominantly black neighborhood also far from the city center, police fired tear gas, people were seen running from at least one store with goods and other police cars were ablaze or otherwise damaged.
Video from the scene shows people smashing police car windows, rifling through the empty vehicles and pushing the cars into others.
Nationwide, roughly 4,400 people have been arrested since Floyd's death and 5,000 National Guard members have been dispersed within at least 15 states, multiple outlets report.
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, five people were arrested and a group of 1,000 protesters were pepper sprayed by police Sunday.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo apologized to Floyd's family in an interview with CNN. He said firing Derek Chauvin – the officer seen holding his knee to Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes, resulting in his death – and the other three officers involved in the incident was the right thing to do.
Peaceful protests continued to be marred by violence. The Minneapolis Department of Public safety confirmed a semi-truck drove into a group of peaceful protesters on Interstate 35. The driver of the truck was taken into custody, but not before protesters pulled him from the truck's cab. The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
USA Today contributed to this story.