Some George Floyd protests have turned violent. The FBI wants to arrest those responsible.
The FBI wants to hold people who incite violence at peaceful protests accountable.
In a media release issued Tuesday afternoon, the FBI asked for the public’s assistance in helping them apprehend these “violent instigators who are exploiting legitimate, peaceful protests.”
“The continued violence, potential threat to life, and destruction of property across the United States interferes with the rights and safety of First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrators, as well as all other citizens,” FBI officials said.
Witnesses were asked to submit any relevant information, photos or videos at fbi.gov/violence or call or 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).
This message comes amid widespread protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Video footage of the incident shows former officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee against Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes.
The protests began in Minneapolis, where demonstrators marched to demand justice for Floyd before looting and riots broke out, and spread to cities across the country, some of which have experienced similar descents into violence.
Although many multiracial protests had peaceful origins, the Washington Post reported that black demonstrators have struggled to maintain order in some cities where young white men join marches seemingly intent on creating chaos.
“It is striking how many of the people who were doing the looting and stealing and fires over the weekend were young white males,” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan told The Washington Post.
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 7:34 PM.
