Police cars set ABLAZE near Philadelphia City Hall as protest erupts into violence & vandalism (VIDEOS)
Multiple police vehicles went up in flames in the heart of Philadelphia amid a raging protest over the death of George Floyd, as authorities warned that vandalism and other criminal acts “will not be tolerated.”
The march against police brutality was initially peaceful but descended into rioting and clashes with officers on Saturday afternoon.
#BREAKING: Streets are shut down in the area of Broad and Vine streets in Center City Philadelphia due to #GeorgeFloyd protests.#GeorgeFloydProtestspic.twitter.com/h545EqD1P8
— Brandon Longo (@brandonlongo) May 30, 2020
Police used batons to drive the crowd away from City Hall, where the violence erupted after some of the protesters threw glass bottles and metal barricades at SWAT officers, according to local media.
Several police vehicles have been set on fire in #Philadelphia as the number of demonstrators continues to grow. pic.twitter.com/dXSScpgUKi
— ⚜️Jason M Jarrett⚜️ (@Jasonmjarrett) May 30, 2020
In the meantime, several stores were looted in Center City, Philadelphia’s main business district.
Aerial view shows a large gathering of demonstrators in the streets of Philadelphia as a fire burns amid protests over the death of George Floyd. https://t.co/OdRVqCsGsgpic.twitter.com/B2vQGDUScD
— ABC News (@ABC) May 30, 2020
Starbucks outside Philadelphia City Hall is now on fire pic.twitter.com/xw68viSTux
— Oona Goodin-Smith (@oonagoodinsmith) May 30, 2020
The demonstrators, many of whom are Black Lives Matter activists, are demanding justice for George Floyd, a Minnesota local who died while being detained in Minneapolis earlier this week. Floyd, an unarmed black man, was pinned to the ground by a white officer, who pressed his knee onto Floyd’s neck.
City Hall Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/f0g2feV2yF
— Ringo Lennon (@Eddie20937506) May 30, 2020
The altercation was caught on video, which quickly went viral. Floyd could be heard saying “I can’t breathe,” while being held on the ground.
..vandalism. Those acts will not be tolerated, and we strongly encourage everyone to refrain from entering Center City. We will continue provide updates throughout the evening.
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) May 30, 2020
#BlackLivesMatters protest going on now in Philadelphia, PA at The Philadelphia Museum of Art (Rocky Steps) pic.twitter.com/88lgEO4MzF
— Cam Countryman (@CamCountryman3) May 30, 2020
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