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The death of George Floyd – a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck – in May 2020 sparked hundreds of protests across the country over the summer. In many cities, including the country’s capital, police have encountered protesters with tear gas, violence and arrests.
However, Wednesday’s protests, many stressed, were different. The Black Lives Matter Global Network, one of the best-known organizations fighting for the well-being of blacks, called Wednesday’s riots a “coup”.
The group said it was “another example of the hypocrisy in our country’s law enforcement response to the protests.”
“When black people protest for our lives, we are too often greeted by National Guard troops or police equipped with assault rifles, shields, tear gas and combat helmets,” the group said in a statement. communicated. “Make no mistake, if the demonstrators were black we would have been tear gas, beaten and possibly shot.”
Here’s a look at the protests from last year, compared to Wednesday’s.
June 2, 2020
Members of the DC National Guard, armed and wearing camouflage uniforms, stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial last June, as crowds of protesters staged a peaceful protest after days of protests.
During Wednesday’s events, rioters had already entered the building before the DC National Guard was activated.
January 6, 2021
On Wednesday, hundreds of pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol and filled the steps of the building. In some images, officers could be seen deploying pepper spray. Tear gas was also deployed, but it is not known whether by protesters or by police, and people wiped tears from their eyes while coughing.
June 1, 2020
Before Trump made his remarks at the Rose Garden last June, police near the White House released tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters in an attempt to disperse the crowds for the president’s scheduled visit to the episcopal church of Saint-Jean.
Earlier today, Trump had encouraged governors across the country to more aggressively target protesters in their states.
After speaking, Trump walked past protesters at church for a photoshoot.
January 6, 2021
Pro-Trump protesters pushed through the metal fences and rammed through the U.S. Capitol building, marching through the complex for several hours.
Trump had led the National Guard in Washington along with “other federal protective services,” according to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. The entire DC National Guard has been activated by the Department of Defense, according to the Pentagon.
June 3, 2020
Last June, protesters in Washington, DC were repeatedly confronted with tear gas. Many have been detained. A demonstration led to 88 arrests.
By comparison, Metropolitan Police Department chief Robert Contee said Wednesday night that police had made 52 arrests – including 26 on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
January 6, 2021
Trump supporters flooded the steps of the Capitol, as congressional leaders evacuated the complex after a lockdown.
A federal law enforcement official told CNN that the DC National Guard did not plan to be used to protect federal facilities, and the Trump administration had decided earlier this week that it would be the task of the civilian law enforcement agencies.
CNN’s Leah Asmelash and Rashard Rose contributed to this report.
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