George Floyd protests spread nationwide

By Melissa Macaya, Mike Hayes, Fernando Alfonso III, Daniella Diaz, Jessie Yeung, Steve George, Ivana Kottasová and Nick Thompson, CNN

Updated 8:56 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
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2:23 a.m. ET, May 29, 2020

St. Paul police say more than 170 businesses were damaged or looted during protests

Fire burns in the distance during demonstrations on May 28, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Fire burns in the distance during demonstrations on May 28, in St. Paul, Minnesota. John Minchillo/AP

More than 170 businesses in St. Paul, Minnesota, were damaged or looted during tonight's ongoing protests over the death of George Floyd, according to the city police department.

“As Thursday turns to Friday, our officers continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder with local, state, federal and fire partners to protect St. Paul. More than 170 businesses damaged or looted. Dozens of fires. Thankfully, no reports of serious injuries. Calm on the horizon,” the St. Paul Police Department tweeted. 

Crowds of protesters have faced off with riot police in St. Paul throughout the evening and overnight hours, with police throwing tear gas, and protesters throwing it right back.

There were reports earlier Thursday of protesters targeting stores like TJ Maxx and Target.

As evening fell, the Minnesota National Guard was activated, with more than 500 soldiers sent to St. Paul and Minneapolis, where fiery protests have also broken out.

1:48 a.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Louisville mayor urges peace as protests continue

Credit: WDRB
Credit: WDRB

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer called for peace and order in the Kentucky city as protests continue to escalate.

“Understandably, emotions are high. As Breonna’s mother says, let’s be peaceful as we work toward truth and justice," he posted on his official Facebook page.

Breonna Taylor, 26, was an EMT who was killed during a police raid of her apartment in Louisville.

During the raid in March, Taylor was shot at least eight times when three officers forcibly entered her apartment to serve a search warrant in a narcotics investigation. The department said the men announced themselves and returned gunfire when Taylor's boyfriend fired at them.

Her death, like those of Ahmaud Arbery and now George Floyd, have sparked outrage across the nation, with many Louisville protesters tonight holding signs bearing Taylor's name.

2:17 a.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Minneapolis urges protestors to retreat after unconfirmed reports of severed gas lines

The City of Minneapolis is urging protesters near the burning police station to retreat after “hearing unconfirmed reports that gas lines to the Third Precinct have been cut and other explosive materials are in the building.”

“If you are near the building, for your safety, PLEASE RETREAT in the event the building explodes,” the city posted on their verified Twitter account.

CNN has not been able to independently verify those reports.

The fire is still ongoing, and has engulfed much of the building. Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel told CNN the fire department is working with the police and other city authorities to assess the situation.

Watch:

2:11 a.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Trump tweets on Minneapolis protests: "When the looting starts, the shooting starts"

US President Donald Trump just tweeted about the ongoing protests in Minneapolis, warning that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts."

He criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as "very weak" and showing "a total lack of leadership."

"These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!" he tweeted.

It's past midnight in Minneapolis, but protests are still ongoing. Earlier tonight, demonstrators set a police precinct on fire, which continues to burn. All staff inside the building were evacuated earlier in the day, and the fire department has yet to arrive on scene and extinguish the flames.

Some context: This is now the third night of protests across Minnesota and the country, following the death of George Floyd, who was shown on video being pinned to the ground by a white police officer who pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who was unarmed and handcuffed, pleaded that he could not breathe. He was declared dead at a nearby hospital soon after, according to authorities.

CNN's Brian Stelter explains more:

1:46 a.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Dalai Lama on George Floyd's death: "On the basis of race, such things are done"

From CNN's Sugam Pokharel in Atlanta

Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama has deplored the death of George Floyd in Minnesota and blamed discrimination and racism for his death.

The 84-year-old exiled spiritual leader -- who is revered as a living god by millions of Tibetan Buddhists -- gave a virtual teaching to followers from his home in Dharamsala in northern India on Friday morning local time.

"We see in the news channels, the media about discrimination on the basis of color or religion these days, and then there is killing due to that, and then there are some who even take it as a pride to be able to kill somebody," he said.

He specifically pointed to George Floyd's death, describing seeing footage of the police officer who "actually pushed his knee on the neck of that black person."

"So because of this discrimination, racism on the basis of race, such things are done," the Dalai Lama said.

1:12 a.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Minneapolis fire department is still assessing the situation at the burning police station, chief says

Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel holds a press conference in 2015, at Minneapolis City Hall.
Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel holds a press conference in 2015, at Minneapolis City Hall. Leila Navidi/Star Tribune/AP

Minneapolis authorities are still assessing how to approach the ongoing fire in the police precinct, Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel told CNN on the phone.

"I do know they were trying to set fire on the front door area of that building," he said. "I do not know that it (the fire) gained access to that structure as of yet. But I do know that they were certainly trying to set the building on fire in the front door area."

He added that it was a "challenging time" for the fire department, and that they had responded to multiple fires over the past few days as protests raged.

"We've had different projectiles swung at us the last two nights ... We had rocks thrown at us at the last scene. We have to consider the safety of the firefighters in those areas so we're being cautious," he said.

The department has a plan in place and may go to the burning precinct to try and put it out, but that decision will depend on the situation, he said. "That's the number one priority of ours, to make sure we keep our folks safe."

He added that he was "a little bit shocked, a little disappointed" to see the police station being burned, and called for an end to destructive action.

Watch more:

12:34 a.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Reports of shots fired in crowd in Kentucky protest

From CNN’s Joe Sutton 

What started out as a peaceful protest is now escalating, with reports of property damage, according to a press conference from the Louisville Metro Police Department in Kentucky.

“We are currently working a large crowd in the downtown area around 2nd Street," police tweeted earlier. 

Police say they are now hearing reports of shots fired in the crowd, according to the police special advisor Jessie Halladay.

Protesters have blocked buses and disrupted traffic, and have thrown bottles at officers, she said. Police have also seen excessive damage to vehicles and buildings. 

“This is not what we want for our city,” Halladay said.

12:24 a.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Minneapolis police release 911 call that led to encounter with George Floyd

From CNN's Faith Karimi

On Thursday night, Minneapolis police released a transcript of the 911 call that led to George Floyd's arrest and death, which has sparked outrage nationwide as protesters demand justice. Here's the transcript:

Operator: 911 what's the address of the emergency?

Caller: This is ah 3759 Chicago Ave.

Operator: How can I help you?

Caller: Um someone comes our store and give us fake bills and we realize it before he left the store, and we ran back outside, they was sitting on their car. We tell them to give us their phone, put their (inaudible) thing back and everything and he was also drunk and everything and return to give us our cigarettes back and so he can, so he can go home but he doesn't want to do that, and he's sitting on his car cause he is awfully drunk and he's not in control of himself.

Operator: Okay, what type of vehicle does he have?

Caller: And .... um he's got a vehicle that is ah ... one second let me see if I can see the license. The driver license is BRJ026.

Operator: Okay, what color is it?

Caller: It's a blue color. It's a blue van.

Operator: Blue van?

Caller: Yes, van.

Operator: Alright blue van, gotcha. Is it out front or is it on 38th St.?

Caller: Ah it's on 38th St.

Operator: On 38th St. So, this guy gave a counterfeit bill, has your cigarettes, and he's under the influence of something?

Caller: Something like that, yes. He is not acting right.

Operator: What's he look like, what race?

Caller: Um, he's a tall guy. He's like tall and bald, about like 6 ... 6 1/2, and she's not acting right so and she started to go, drive the car.

Operator: Okay so, female or a male?

Caller: Um...

Operator: Is it a girl or a boy?

Caller: (Talking to somebody else) — he's asking (inaudible) one second. Hello?

Operator: Is it a girl or a boy that did this?

Caller: It is a man.

Operator: Okay. Is he white, black, Native, Hispanic, Asian?

Caller: Something like that.

Operator: Which one? White, black, Native, Hispanic, Asian?

Caller: No, he's a black guy.

Operator: Alright (sigh).

Caller: How is your day going?

Operator: Not too bad.

Caller: Had a long day, huh?

Operator: What's your name?

Caller: My name is (deleted)

Operator: Alright, a phone number for you?

Caller: (Deleted)

Operator: Alright, I've got help on the way. If that vehicle or that person leaves before we get there, just give us a call back, otherwise we'll have squads out there shortly, okay?

Caller: No problem.

Operator: Thank you.

12:16 a.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Denver mayor to protesters: "Let's demonstrate, but let's do so peacefully"

From CNN’s Leslie Perrot and Raja Razek

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock pleaded with people in the city to demonstrate peacefully in a post on Twitter Thursday night. 

"Hey Denver. I understand your frustration and pain following the murder of George Floyd. I plead to you -- let's demonstrate, but let's do so peacefully," Hancock tweeted. 
In another tweet, he said, "You can be angry. You can be outraged. I certainly am and I join you in those feelings and demands of #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd. March for justice and to see it served, but please march in peace. Responding to violence with violence will only lead to more violence."

He then posted a video statement, saying he "understands the frustration and sense of pain and disgust following the murder of George Floyd."

"Leave the weapons at home and let's walk, let's march together in unity and let's have our voices heard but keep everyone safe," he said in the video. "That is the way we need to do this. And let's do it in the memory of George Floyd and so many others and their families who are suffering from the pain from these type of incidents in our communities."

Protests across the nation: Tonight, protests rage across America. Some remain peaceful while others have turned destructive, with reports of looting and arson.

So far we've seen demonstrations in Phoenix, Arizona; Louisville, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; and of course, Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota.