On Thursday, Frey called for an end to the violence as protests escalated, saying: “Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy, the area along Lake has become unsafe. We are asking for your help in keeping the peace tonight.”
He continued: “We appreciate those that protested peacefully but now is the time to go home. Obviously, we have both instances of violence and fires. There are institutions, grocery stores and markets around Lake, that our community relies on... especially in times of a pandemic.
“Yes, we’re reeling. We are reeling, and I understand the anger and pain, and we need the public’s help in keeping the peace tonight. We need that in order to get through this together,” Frey added.
The mayor said he had been in touch with the governor’s office and has requested assistance from the state, explaining: “We’ve spoken several times. We’re receiving assistance in the form of state patrol. I have requested the National Guard as well.”
Protests have broken out across Minneapolis in recent days following the death of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man whom police sought to arrest outside a south Minneapolis grocery store on Memorial Day.
He eventually became unresponsive, with one witness noting that his nose was bleeding. The footage spread quickly on social media.
Floyd, a father-of-two, was pronounced dead Monday night after he was taken into custody by authorities and on Tuesday, all four officers involved in Floyd’s arrest—Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J. Alexander Kueng—were fired from the Minneapolis Police Department, according to a news release issued by the Minneapolis Department of Public Safety. Frey said this was the “right call.”
Minneapolis Police said in a statement on Tuesday that officers were responding to a report of forgery when the man resisted. According to the statement, Floyd died after “suffering medical distress.”
Also on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he had ordered the Department of Justice and FBI to expedite an investigation into the death of Floyd.
“I have asked for this investigation to be expedited and greatly appreciate all of the work done by local law enforcement,” he said. “My heart goes out to George’s family and friends. Justice will be served!”