OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — According to Omaha Police, 21 people were arrested overnight after failing to leave from the area of a protest that was held in response to the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The protest began peacefully around 6 p.m. Friday at the intersection of 72nd and Dodge Streets.
Over 1,000 people showed up and parts of Dodge St were eventually blocked off.
Around 8 p.m., the protest began to escalate with Omaha Police deploying tear gas and using physical force in attempt to control the crowd. Some confrontations occurred between police and protesters.
Police using tear gas and physical force to get people out of the way. pic.twitter.com/aT7uL5L2mV
— Jon Kipper (@jonnykip21) May 30, 2020
Later in the night, a window of Target was broken by protesters with Omaha Police shooting rubber bullets at those nearby. Other businesses in the area were also vandalized.
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts said the following on Twitter Saturday:
I have seen the video of former Officer Chauvin killing George Floyd, and I am appalled and angry. Events like this break the trust between law enforcement and communities of color. Justice must be served.
— Gov. Pete Ricketts (@GovRicketts) May 30, 2020
Here in Nebraska, we will continue to build strong lines of communication between our government agencies and communities of color.
— Gov. Pete Ricketts (@GovRicketts) May 30, 2020
Omaha Police and Mayor Jean Stothert spoke at a press conference on Saturday about the protest. Watch here.
