Photo: Scott Olson / Getty Images
With the jury deliberations at the trial of Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd provided for the Next week, Minneapolis and other cities in the United States are preparing for protests and civil unrest.
The verdict in one of the most followed police brutality trials in decades could arrive next week when the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and other cities in the country are mobilized by the deaths related to the police, including the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright, by 20 years, by an officer at Brooklyn Center last weekend, just miles from the courthouse.
Final arguments will be delivered Monday at the trial of the ex-officer who pressed Floyd’s neck and back for nine minutes and 29 sec undos last May. Chauvin, of 45 years pleaded not guilty to the charges of involuntary manslaughter in the second degree, manslaughter in the third degree and murder in the second degree.
A nationwide reckoning for police abuse and systemic racial injustice that was rekindled with the death of George Floyd last summer, has caused new, sometimes violent, protests this week.
The municipality of Brooklyn Center in Minnesota, declared this Saturday a night curfew from the 11.00 pm local time , in anticipation of possible riots following the death of African American Daunte Wright by the shooting of a police officer.
The city council announced the measure on Facebook, where it pointed out that the curfew will be in valid until 06. 00 am local time on Sunday.
Brooklyn Center, a residential area northwest of Minneapolis, experienced the sixth night of protests and altercations after Wright’s death on Friday, that resulted in a hundred detainees.
Tension in Chicago
Chicago has been on edge this week since authorities released images from a body camera showing an officer firing a single shot that killed Adam Toledo, of 13 years, who, according to the police, was holding a pistol before raising his hands and receiving a moral shot during a chase on foot.
In the center d e Minneapolis, where the kidnapped jury will hold their deliberations, this week crews were seen installing barbed wire around a police building , reported CNN .
Similar measures were being taken at other police precincts, according to Minneapolis Police spokesman John Elder.
National Guard troops have also been deployed to downtown Minneapolis.
Mayor Jacob Frey said before the trial that up to 2, 00 0 members of the National Guard will be prepared to respond together with up to 1, 100 other 12 jurisdictions.
Minneapolis Public Schools will transition to remote learning beginning Wednesday in anticipation of protests over the Chauvin trial verdict, according to a letter from Superintendent Ed Graff to students and parents.
Other cities prepare for protests
In Los Angeles, police have stepped up community outreach efforts and planned to make additional officers available, according to Capt. Stacy Spell. “We also strongly encourage that if people who want to express themselves see something, they say something,” he said. “We do not want small groups of people with malicious intent to take over what would otherwise be a peaceful demonstration.”
In San Francisco , police said discretionary days off for officers have been canceled and additional officers will be deployed.
The Atlanta Police Department said in a statement that it is coordinating efforts with local, state and and has officers ready to respond quickly.
In New York City , the police were preparing for the protests. “We are in constant conversations, literally daily,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Obviously, many things will happen depending on which be the verdict and how it is expressed ”.