Friday, May 29th, 2020
Richmonders begin to protest over the death of George Floyd. The protest began in Monroe Park around 8:30PM and dispersed throughout downtown. Hundreds marched with signs, chanting. What began as a peaceful protest became rowdy and then violent.
The aftermath ended in a GRTC bus being torched. The bus was empty. A police car was also set ablaze. Some demonstrators broke into businesses and spray painted buildings and vehicles. Windows were broken at the Richmond Police Department Headquarters on Grace Street.
Richmond news crews were assaulted.
------UPDATE: MASSIVE FIRE ON BROAD ST. Cops sprayed gas, crowd scattered, but not before setting THE BUS ON FIRE!!!! @NBC12 “The bus, the bus, the bus is on fire. We don’t need no water let the mother****** burn.” - Protester https://t.co/1QWKB6qsbc pic.twitter.com/9ZcnZ82aO1
— Anthony Antoine (@AnthonyNBC12) May 30, 2020
In downtown Petersburg, word of a protest forming led a local business to close for the evening. Others may have closed as well.
The protest began and ended peacefully with Petersburg Police Chief, Kenneth Miller standing alongside demonstrators on the corner of East Bank Street and Second Street.
Protest in Petersburg has begun with the Police Chief present. All looks well right now. --: Yholanda Norace Mills/FB pic.twitter.com/KXT8Mbpjo0
— BlacksInPetersburg (@blkpetersburg) May 30, 2020
Multiple dumpster fires erupted. Police in riot gear helped lead fire departments to the area.
The J.E.B. Stuart monument was vandalized, as well as multiple police cars.
Statues of Confederate Leaders were defaced during overnight protest- along with the United Daughters of the Confederacy headquarters. #Richmond is now under an 8 pm Curfew. #rva #GeorgeFloyd -- via @prettypetithttps://t.co/QCyRXqwr2F pic.twitter.com/VVCTCf8ti0
— Constance Jones (@Constance8News) May 31, 2020
An occupied dwelling in the 300 block of Broad Street was set on fire. Some protestors tried to block firefighters from getting inside. Police intervened. One of the occupants in the home was a child. No injuries were reported.
“We had to force our way to make a clear path for the fire department. Protestors intercepted that fire apparatus several blocks away with vehicles and blocked that fire department’s access to the structure fire. Inside that home was a child.” (2/4) #RVA #richmondprotest
— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) May 31, 2020
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Around 1AM on Sunday morning, police were made aware that a male victim was in an area hospital suffering from a life-threatening gun-shot wound.
A couple more police officer injuries are being reported.
The city of Richmond is a canvas of graffiti and broken glass. Hints of smoke still linger.
A few pictures from the protests in Richmond last night https://t.co/SDHN5KCGtN pic.twitter.com/H7IrcTTDnZ
— Ned Oliver (@nedoliver) May 31, 2020
Another protest begins. Demonstrators gathered at Brown’s Island. This protest is non-violent thus far, with hundreds of people marching towards The Capitol.
HAPPENING NOW: Following two nights of unrest, a peaceful protest is currently underway in Richmond.https://t.co/0SQKkyyRpH
— NBC12 WWBT Richmond (@NBC12) May 31, 2020
Sunday evening marks the third day in a row that protesters gathered on the streets of Richmond.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered. Many people were arrested for breaking curfew.
Chesterfield County Police are in the City of Richmond heading west on Grace Street. State police asked us not to get too close to barriers they set up around Siegel Center where they were making arrests. They asked for our press credentials and gave us no problems. @8NEWS pic.twitter.com/RSE9q31gE0
— Ben Dennis 8News (@broadcastben_) June 1, 2020
