National Guard Called In After Philly Protests Take A Violent Turn

Philadelphia police restrain a man during the Justice for George Floyd Philadelphia Protest on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Protests were held throughout the country over the death of Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

By Associated Press

June 1, 2020

City leaders said dozens of arrests were made, noting that people taking items from stores.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The National Guard remained in place early Monday in Philadelphia after officials closed off many areas following peaceful protests over George Floyd’s death that turned into another night of destruction.

Store windows were smashed Sunday night near City Hall, merchandise was taken from stores, and vehicles and structures were set afire. City leaders said dozens of arrests were made, noting that people taking items from stores.

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 as people who were stealing items and damaging property.

Video shows people smashing police car windows, rifling through the empty vehicles and pushing the cars into others.

Dozens of people try to flip a police SUV while breaking into a West Philadelphia Foot Locker. Police staying back at this point. Live coverage: https://t.co/tv2dRNueFG pic.twitter.com/UCQKJcdpKg
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) May 31, 2020