Protests in Boston devolved into chaos on Sunday evening as violence erupted across the country following the death of George Floyd.
Several scenes of rioting and looting could be seen late into the night, according to a livestream from local outlet WCVB. Dangerous incidents included an SUV plowing into a group of protesters and an explosive being set off in a crowd of people that included police officers.
WATCH:
WCVB video shows SUV colliding with protesters in #Boston street. @petereliopoulos was reporting live @OnWCVB at the time. #BREAKING #BostonProtests https://t.co/Cmm1RPHxY7 pic.twitter.com/rR24y5Sctf
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) June 1, 2020
This video shows an explosive device being thrown next to several people, including Boston officers, off Tremont Street in Boston following protests Sunday night. #BostonProtests #BREAKING https://t.co/WdsYH7bYBO pic.twitter.com/wxs8USwJ2m
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) June 1, 2020
One protester posted video of two police officers kneeling to applause in the downtown area, seemingly in support of the demonstrations. In another scene, several officers in front of the State House in Beacon Hill and elsewhere were pelted with frozen water bottles, bricks, and other projectiles.
In another instance, according to video posted by journalist Peter Eliopoulos, rioters surrounded an occupied police cruiser and beat in its windows:
RAW VIDEO: Police officer in #Boston surrounded, car smashed. #wcvb pic.twitter.com/fhdemTjZ7W
— Peter Eliopoulos (@petereliopoulos) June 1, 2020
One police cruiser was set on fire steps away from the historic Granary Burying Ground and Boston Common, the oldest public park in the country. Boston 25 reported on the incident, showing the vehicle engulfed in flames:
Chopper footage captures shocking image of an apparent Boston Police cruiser burning in the midst of a protest on Boston Common that has turned violent. #boston #boston25 #bostonprotests pic.twitter.com/4PCboNIlSU
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) June 1, 2020
The Boston Police Department posted a message requesting people leave the city shortly after 10:30 p.m. “The time for protesting is over. The peaceful protest ended hours ago,” the police stated. The Massachusetts National Guard was deployed around 10:50 p.m.
In the midst of the destruction, Mayor Marty Walsh (D) weighed in at 10:41 p.m. by first thanking protesters, writing, “I see you. I hear you. I will use my voice for you.” He then stated that people who “came into our city” to engage in violence “angered” him:
I want to thank the protestors who exercised their right to free speech effectively and peacefully, making sure everyone hears their message. Tonight’s protests were motivated by a righteous desire for equality, justice, and accountability in our country.
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) June 1, 2020
I am angered, however, by the people who came into our city and chose to engage in acts of destruction and violence, undermining their message. If we are to achieve change and if we are to lead the change, our efforts must be rooted in peace and regard for our community.
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) June 1, 2020
As of the time of this writing, ample looting was ongoing on two major city streets, Boylston and Newbury, which are dense with retail.
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