UPDATE: At 11:40 pm, Minneapolis Police, State Patrol and the National Guard came in force to curtail protesters in this area.
Minneapolis Fire Department and @MNNationalGuard are at Park and Lake putting out the convenience store fire, several hours after it started. @MPRnews pic.twitter.com/F7EdEXfgqY
— Tim Nelson (@timnelson_mpr)
May 30, 2020 No police presence at Park Avenue and Lake Street, despite city-wide curfew
The intersection of Park Avenue and Lake Street continues to be an epicenter for protests, despite the city-wide curfew in effect. There is no presence from the police or the national guard, and fires are beginning to spread across the area.
A gas station has been set on fire, with some protestors allegedly throwing propane tanks inside, causing fears of an impending explosion.
Chaos here on Lake Street - a gas station is on fire and rioters have allegedly thrown propane tanks into the building. pic.twitter.com/m2RcbRB0dJ
— Trevor Hughes (@TrevorHughes)
May 30, 2020 Several car fires have begun to spread into nearby buildings as well.
Car fires are spreading to buildings nearby at Park and Lake. Big crowd dodging speeding cars on Lake Street. No signs of police, National Guard, State Patrol or firefighters. pic.twitter.com/rL15aoehcK
— Tim Nelson (@timnelson_mpr)
May 30, 2020 The Minneapolis Fire Department is unable to reach the fires at this time, due to a lack of police presence.
A police presence was reported further east on Lake Street near Hiawatha Avenue, where police were recorded using rubber bullets, flash bangs and smoke grenades to deter protestors.
This is at Hiawatha Ave and Lake Street. Police have started firing flash bang grenades, rubber bullets and smoke bombs. #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/kOKFPP8qdH
— Aaron L. Morrison (@aaronlmorrison)
May 30, 2020 Minneapolis city council member Alondra Cano said that unless leadership steps in, “Lake Street will burn to the ground,” on MPR.
Lake Street was the source of fires last night as well, as businesses and a library were the target of fires and vandalism.
