Minneapolis business owners are fearing more riots will erupt in the city as jury selection begins in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with murder in the death of George Floyd.
Joan West and Dermot Cowley were interviewed on “The Faulkner Focus” to discuss their concerns following last year’s Black Lives Matter protests and subsequent riots, which caused half a billion dollars in damage to local businesses.
“There were three or four days where it just seemed that nobody was in charge in Minneapolis,” said Cowley, who owns O’Donovan’s Irish Pub. “It was scary to watch what was happening in our city.”
Cowley recalled that his bar was broken into twice, resulting in the theft of much of his liquor stock as well as broken glass and doors.
FLOYD’S CAUSE OF DEATH, EX-COP’S FORCE WILL BE KEYS AT TRIAL
On the day of the second break-in, a shooting took place on the corner where the pub is located soon after Cowley sent his staff home for the day.
West, who owns a saddle and harness shop, recalled watching businesses on the same block being being destroyed during last year’s riots on a livestream.
Fearing that the rioters would set fire to her business and the apartment complex above, she alerted tenants, who organized and attempted to prevent break-ins and vandalism.
“We’re hoping that the city of Minneapolis will step up to the plate, which they say they are going to do, and protect us,” West said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Earlier Monday, protesters marched peacefully through the streets of Minneapolis on their way to the courthouse, where jury selection was scheduled to begin after 9 a.m.
After violent rioting and destruction gripped Minneapolis and several U.S. cities in the days following Floyd’s death on May 25, city and state officials have been preparing security measures for months ahead of Chauvin’s trial. Fencing and barricades have been erected around the Hennepin County Government Center as well as several of the city’s police stations.
Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
Related posts:
- [LLODO] Leo Terrell: Dem mayor followed ‘vigilante justice’ in firing city official after police-involved shooting
- [LLODO] California mom reacts to ‘shocking’ leaked Zoom video of teacher berating students over in-person learning
- [LLODO] Marine veteran credited with saving New York officer stabbed by suspect in his backyard
- [LLODO] Victor Davis Hanson blasts Delta’s CEO on ‘wokeness’: ‘If you make $17M’ you’re ‘not committed to equity’
- [LLODO] Minnesota officer who shot Daunte Wright should have known difference between Taser, gun: Ted Williams
- [LLODO] Compagno: If city manager fired for advocating for due process ‘where does that leave the rest of us’?
- [LLODO] Lawrence Jones: No matter how we feel about officer-involved deaths, ‘every case is different’
- [LLODO] Giroir calls on Biden to ‘surge’ COVID vaccines, tests to Michigan in response to rise in cases
- [LLODO] McEnany reacts to deadly Minnesota police shooting: ‘We always have to let the facts play out’