Police enforcement of a curfew in Minnesota following the death of George Floyd

In the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, protests erupted across Minneapolis and other parts of Minnesota. Initially, Governor Walz was hesitant to deploy the National Guard, citing concerns about inflaming tensions. However, as protests turned violent, he activated the National Guard to assist local law enforcement. This decision came after requests from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who later criticized Walz for not acting quickly enough. The curfew was implemented as a measure to restore order, but its enforcement faced backlash, with claims that police used excessive force, including allegations of shooting paintball guns at citizens during curfew sweeps.

Timeline of Events

• May 2020: George Floyd is murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis, sparking widespread protests.
• Initial Response: Governor Walz expresses reluctance to deploy the National Guard, waiting for a formal request from local officials.
• Curfew Implementation: As violence escalates, a curfew is enacted, and the National Guard is called in to help enforce it.
• Public Reaction: The response is met with mixed reviews; some criticize Walz for being too slow, while others feel the measures taken were inadequate.

Controversy Over Enforcement

The enforcement of the curfew has been a contentious issue, with reports of aggressive tactics used by police and the National Guard. A viral video claimed that police enforced the curfew by shooting paintball guns at residents, a claim that has been circulated but lacks credible evidence. The original context of the curfew was to quell unrest following Floyd’s death rather than being related to COVID-19 restrictions, despite some narratives conflating the two events.

Political Implications

The handling of the unrest and the curfew has had lasting political repercussions for Governor Walz. Critics, particularly from conservative circles, have labeled him as “weak on crime,” while some progressives argue that his actions did not go far enough in addressing systemic issues within law enforcement. This debate continues to shape perceptions of his leadership as he campaigns for the vice presidency in 2024.