Sandy MaloneMinneapolis, MN – Police arrested 51 people on Wednesday night during a riot outside the Minneapolis Police Department’s 5th Precinct after the police officer charged with George Floyd’s murder was released on $1 million bail.
Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was released on Wednesday from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Oak Park Heights when he has been held pending trial for the murder of George Floyd.
WCCO reported that Chauvin was transferred to the Hennepin County Jail at about 9:40 a.m. on Oct. 7 so that he could post $1 million bail.
State records showed that the former police officer posted a non-cash bond secured by Allegheny Casualty.
Chauvin was arrested on May 29 and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in connection with Floyd’s death during his arrest. His charges have since been upgraded to second-degree murder.
Ahead of Chauvin’s release, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard and deployed 100 state troopers and 75 Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers to assist local police, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
The protests against Chauvin’s release started before he was out of jail and continued through the night in front of the 5th Precinct.
Protest happening now in the streets of #Minneapolis. #GeorgeFloyd’s name being shouted repeatedly. https://t.co/3fiJwrhHmq pic.twitter.com/xAzOWmMQaF
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 8, 2020
At George Floyd Square now—protestors marching northbound down Chicago. Earlier today, Derek Chauvin was released on bail of $1 million. Governor Walz mobilizing National Guard in Minneapolis tonight. @themacweekly pic.twitter.com/PnDCDgiv7U
— Kori Suzuki (@korisuzuk1) October 8, 2020
Initially, about 300 peaceful protesters marched to the George Floyd memorial downtown, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Protesters on Portland Ave. in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/YlH7Ry5OWV
— Carlos Gonzalez (@CarlosGphoto) October 8, 2020
But then protesters began shooting commercial grade fireworks into the occupied police precinct and police issued dispersal orders and began making arrests.
Minneapolis 5th precinct pic.twitter.com/zOSGrCPo36
— Maria🎃Viti (@selfdeclaredref) October 8, 2020
Minneapolis Police and state officers share smiles and laughs as they coordinate processing people they just mass arrested at tonight’s #GeorgeFloyd protest, called after killer cop Derek Chauvin posted bail pic.twitter.com/9PeGVhSEDG
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) October 8, 2020
Minneapolis Police Spokesman John Elder said there were 51 arrests made during the protests on Oct. 7, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
Elder said 49 of the arrests were for misdemeanor offenses and jail logs showed that many were booked on “unlawful assembly” charges.
He said one person was arrested on fourth-degree assault charges and another was taken into custody on an outstanding felony warrant, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Holly Matkin