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Trump Vows to End Violent Demonstrations: ‘These Are Acts of Domestic Terror’

Following days of violent demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death, President Donald Trump is vowing to “stop the violence and restore security and safety in America.” “All Americans were rightly sickened and…

Bradley CortrightJun 1, 20203 min read

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Floyd, an unarmed black man, died on May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer, pinned him to the ground by placing his knee on Floyd’s neck for several minutes.

In the days after Floyd’s death, protests broke out in cities across the country. While many started peacefully, they turned violent at nightfall as demonstrators lit fires, looted stores, and vandalized buildings.

While Trump did not initially deliver formal remarks on the situation at the White House, he sent out a series of tweets which were highly criticized.

Several Democratic leaders accused Trump of inciting violence with his comments, as IJR reported.

But on Monday, after two days of violent demonstrations, Floyd’s brother Terrence appealed for peace, as IJR reported.

“Let’s switch it up, do this peacefully … please,” Floyd told people who had gathered at a makeshift memorial in Minneapolis — at the spot where George Floyd died.

He added, “I know he would not want y’all to be doing this.”

Instead of resorting to violence, Terrence encouraged people to vote and to learn about the candidates. He said, “Educate yourself and know who you’re voting for. And that’s how we’re going to hit ’em.”

Former President Barack Obama (D) also urged Americans to refrain from violence, “Let’s not excuse violence, or rationalize it, or participate in it.”

“If we want our criminal justice system, and American society at large, to operate on a higher ethical code, then we have to model that code ourselves,” Obama added.