Minnesota National Guard preparing to assist in Minneapolis
The Minnesota National Guard is standing by for deployment in Minneapolis to help quell unrest, days after the law enforcement killing of Winston Boogie Smith Jr. and after a protester was killed by a speeding driver.
Gov. Tim Walz's office said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that he "gave the Minnesota National Guard a warning order to start preparing to assist local law enforcement should they need help," after receiving a request from Mayor Jacob Frey. "The Minnesota National Guard has not been given any operational orders, and as and as of this time their assistance has not been needed," the governor's office said.
This is at least the fifth time since George Floyd's death that the city has asked for assistance from the National Guard. The request came after multiple nights when protesters and city leaders jockeyed for control of intersection of Lake Street and Girard Avenue in Uptown, where there have been daily protests decrying Smith's death.
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The National Guard tweeted Wednesday afternoon that it had "activated" about 100 soldiers. "While the Soldiers are not currently in Minneapolis, they are standing by and prepared to respond if their presence is needed," the guard wrote.
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Both Frey and Walz received heavy criticism for the response after Floyd's death last year, with some questioning how long it took to deploy the guard. In his letter, Frey wrote that if soldiers are needed, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo has asked that they assist law enforcement teams by focusing on protecting property and working traffic posts.
https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-national-guard-preparing-to-assist-in-minneapolis/600068867/
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I think that it helps that Walz served in the National Guard for 24 years.