The Illinois National Guard was being deployed to Chicago during the protest of George Floyd, the city mayor said Sunday.
Mayor “injured and angry” Lori Lightfoot said on Twitter that she had asked Governor J.B. Pritzker to send guards to the Second City after a violent confrontation between police and demonstrators protesting the death of police-detention Floyd in Minneapolis.
Lightfoot has also ordered a curfew imposed on Saturday to proceed indefinitely.
“In addition to the 9:00 am curfew – 6am we will remain in effect until further notice, Governor Pritzker – at my request – has ordered a small contingent of National Guards to maintain a limited presence and support our police to ensure we do not” I am not repeat what happened last night, ” the mayor writes Sunday.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” he said in another post. “What you have done is an affront to our city … and a long and proud legacy of brave and enthusiastic peaceful protest leaders.”
Lightfoot too the word he was “disgusted,” and “hurt and angry at those who decided to try to hijack this moment and use this opportunity to bring chaos … to plunder and destroy.”
Nearly 3,000 protesters gathered at the Chicago Federal Plaza on Saturday afternoon to protest the death of Floyd’s Memorial Day, Chicago Tribute reports.
The demonstrators became more violent throughout the day, throwing fireworks and bottles at police and damaging property, the newspaper said. At least one police sergeant suffered a broken arm during a fight.
Floyd, 46, was killed when fired at by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin who was fired since Monday, sparking outrage and massive protests across the country.
