A video from Minneapolis resurfaced Tuesday, showing law enforcement officers enforcing a curfew in 2020 by firing at some residents who were on their own property.
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz imposed a curfew aimed at quelling the violent unrest sparked by George Floyd’s death. The video shows officers aggressively shouting for residents to enter their homes, with one officer giving the command to “light ’em up!” before residents were pelted with ammunition from an unknown “less-lethal” weapon. Local NBC affiliate KARE 11 investigated the incident and what weapons were used, but law enforcement, both the Minneapolis Police Department and the National Guard, refused to specify.
Niece of George Floyd Angel Buechner speaks during a protest outside the residence of governor of Minnesota Tim Walz, over the death of George Floyd, who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes on June 1, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 05: Minnesota State Senator Jeff Hayden, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) tour buildings damaged near East Lake Street during the protests and riots that followed the death of George Floyd on June 5, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The politicians spoke with local business owners about the damage done to their properties and their plans to rebuild and revive the neighborhood.(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MN – DECEMBER 05: A woman holds a sign reading “Furlough Walz” as protesters rally outside the Governor’s Mansion on December 5, 2020 in St Paul, Minnesota. People gathered to demand a response from Gov. Tim Walz and protest the state’s coronavirus lockdown measures and the results of the recent presidential election. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
“It felt like I got punched in the face by The Hulk,” said 21-year-old Grace, who was hit right below her eye, walking back to her car in attempt to satisfy the curfew requirements, according to KARE 11. Grace was left bloodied and with broken bones in her face, according to the same report.
Gov. Tim Walz had his police use paintball guns to sh**t Minnesota residents if they broke curfew by being on their porches during C*V*D pic.twitter.com/7C6cEZldXZ
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) August 13, 2024
The curfew, part of a broader crackdown with over 400 arrests, was justified by Walz as necessary due to the nature of the riots and looting. (RELATED: ‘Lethargic And Obese’: Tucker Carlson, Dave Smith Chide Tim Walz For Being ‘Afraid Of Testosterone’)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 10: Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks during a campaign rally with his running mate, Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, at the University of Las Vegas Thomas & Mack Center on August 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MN – DECEMBER 05: Minnesota State Patrol and St. Paul Police form a line to separate crowds after a clash between protesters and counter protesters outside the Governor’s Mansion on December 5, 2020 in St Paul, Minnesota. People gathered to demand a response from Gov. Tim Walz and protest the state’s coronavirus lockdown measures and the results of the recent presidential election. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 28: A protesters is detained by police during a rally against the death of Minneapolis, Minnesota man George Floyd at the hands of police on May 28, 2020 in Union Square in New York City. Floyd’s death was captured in video that went viral of the incident. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called in the National Guard today as looting broke out in St. Paul. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
The governor faced significant criticism not only for the curfew enforcement but also for earlier pandemic-related measures that included a hotline for reporting social distancing violations. This approach was denounced by some local politicians, like state Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and Republican Minnesota state Rep. Mary Franson.
The resurfacing of this video brings back into focus the measures taken during a turbulent time in Minneapolis.
Editor’s Note: This piece has been updated to reflect that law enforcement at the time refused to answer what kind of “non-lethal” weapons they used.
