Numerous vehicles had their tires slashed by police their protests in Minnesota
Authorities in Minnesota were captured on video slashing the tires of various vehicles in an attempt to slow down protesters marching against social injustice and the killing of George Floyd on May 25. the video shows the tires being slashed in a parking lot as well as on the street.
It wasn’t immediately clear if these were Minnesota police officers or members of the marine corps.
In the video below, authorities are seen slashing the tires of a red Chevrolet Impala left in the middle of the street during the protests. They then move to the side of the street where they slash the tires on a Ford Fusion. The car reportedly belonged to New Yorker journalist Luke Mogelson. When he confronted officers about the tires, they apparently were laughing and had “grins on their faces”, Mogelson said.
Other instances of tires being slashed were reported by other journalists and bystanders.
‼️THE POLICE SLASHED THIS TRUCKS TIRES‼️ all the protestors left the Kmart area as soon as they got closer. #MinneapolisRiot pic.twitter.com/eTGrHUUZLA
— brandi (@brandiiimariiie) May 31, 2020
Minnesota Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bruce Gordon told Mother Jones that police will deflate tires in some situations in order to “stop behaviors such as vehicles driving dangerously and at high speeds in and around protesters and law enforcement.”
That may be so, but being caught on video putting a knife in random tires isn’t a good look for police, especially right now. Moreover, we don’t think that red Impala was a danger to anyone, nor was that Fusion parked on the street.
What was supposed to be a protest against social inequality and police brutality has unfortunately turned into rioting in many cities across the country. We therefore understand that the police is working under immense pressure, but this isn’t helping to make things easier.
