MINNEAPOLIS: Julia Hinton was walking through the Nicollet Mall Monday morning, watching a man install plywood on the doors and windows of 801 Chophouse on 8th Street and Nicollet Avenue. Armed troops and military vehicles were stationed near the Saks Off Fifth store, a few blocks below on the 6th, and several more were heading for the target already embarked on the 9th.
“It’s like we’re preparing for war or something,” he said of the city’s preparations for a verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer charged with the man’s death. black George Floyd last May. On Monday the jury began deliberating after the final arguments.
“It’s a lot,” Mrs. Hinton, 53, said.
Without knowing how quickly a verdict could come — and whether that decision will rekindle the looting and arson that ravaged the city’s strips last summer — Minneapolis has spent the past few days tightening security, including strengthening temporary barricades in the city. around government buildings.
National Guard troops in the Uptown, Minneapolis area.
Security plans accelerated last week after a Minneapolis suburban police officer shot dead Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old black man, a police officer described as accidental, after he appeared to confuse the his weapon for a Taser. Mr. Wright’s death sparked another round of protests in the Twin Cities region. By Monday night, dozens had already begun marching and chanting anti-police slogans in the city center, near Minneapolis courthouse.
The mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis have called for additional help from the National Guard, which has deployed more than 3,000 troops throughout the area, according to Chief General Shawn Manke, deputy general of the Minnesota National Guard.
Law enforcement officials and community leaders said Monday they would work to reduce tensions after the verdict, helping to ensure people have safe spaces to gather or protest.
“We know we have a city in mourning, which is in mourning,” said Medaria Arradondo, Minneapolis police chief. “It’s not about arresting people.”
The trial against Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused of murdering George Floyd, went to jury Monday after prosecutors and the defense presented their final arguments. Joe Barrett of WSJ reports. Photo: John Minchillo / Associated Press
Still, many in Minneapolis remained uncomfortable, especially along Nicollet. The avenue, which stretches from the city center to the southern border of the city, became a focal point for protests, as well as looting and arson after the death of Mr. Floyd, and some blocks. they still carry the remains.
On Monday, fencing and barbed wire surrounded the fifth precinct of the Minneapolis police department, near 31, where crowds gathered several nights last summer and sometimes clashed with police. Across the street, there was only one piece of land and two evergreens left of the Wells Fargo bank branch that was burning in the middle of the unrest.
At Finer Meats & Eats, just around the corner from 38, homeowner Doug Meyer and several of his clients said they have been watching the trial regularly and hoped the result would not put their neighborhoods back in the spotlight.
“It simply came to our notice then. I saw it from my house: the smoke and things in the air, the helicopters, ”Pamela Wilkes recalled of the summer when she and her father, Tom, 80, bought several Mondays. Wilkes was worried about what might happen if the jury decides to acquit Mr. Chauvin.
Pamela Wilkes and her father Tom at Finer Meats & Eats in Minneapolis.
“If he is not convicted, we will have a lot of problems,” he said.
“I’m sure he’ll be convicted,” said Steven Gonzalez, another client, who stopped to look for bones for his dogs. “If he doesn’t, it will be Rodney King again, except in Minneapolis and ten times worse.”
Mr Meyer, whose family operates the meat market on Corner 38 and Nicollet for about 60 years, said he expected emotions to appear regardless of the verdict and planned to watch outside his shop at night, just like him. did last summer.
Doug Meyer, owner of Finer Meats & Eats.
“I hope I’m wrong,” Meyer said. “I just got the feeling it’s going to be really ugly for a week or two.”
Several blocks above, archaeologist Geoff Jones stopped at the sidewalk outside Glam Doll Donuts in Nicollet, near 26th Street, and recalled how part of his neighborhood in the nearby Powderhorn area went set fire last summer, although he attributed such damage to opportunists and not local protesters.
He said it is stressful to see the city once again preparing for unrest, especially considering that now National Guard troops are armed with long weapons, unlike helmets, shields and other protective equipment that go bring last year.
“It makes me wonder what to expect,” he said. “This is not the kind of equipment you use to protest.”
On Waldorf City of Lakes School Street, at the corner of 24, some 6th, 7th and 8th graders began awaiting a verdict participating in a walk to protest the racial injustice that took place on Monday in several schools in the area. Minneapolis schools are closed for in-person learning Wednesday through Friday in anticipation of the verdict.
Faculty president Marcee Hansen, who lives in the Third Precinct area, which was also hard hit last summer, followed the group as they circled the block behind the school, carrying Black posters. Lives Matters and singing as they left.
“No justice, no peace,” cried Mrs. Hansen as she passed a courtyard full of younger students. “Say his name!” replied a pint-sized girl, with her fist raised.
Without knowing how quickly a verdict could come to the Chauvin trial, Minneapolis has spent the last few days tightening security.
Write to Deanna Paul to [email protected]
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