VIDEO: Boston Erupts Into Violence (UPDATED), Gov. Baker Gives Comment
Monday, June 01, 2020
Boston erupted into violence.
Downtown Crossing in Boston turned violent at approximately 9:30 PM on Sunday night.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTA crowd of approximately 200 vandalized a Boston Police SUV.
According to Boston Police, 40 were arrested by the end of the night and seven officers were injured.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted at nearly midnight, "I am angered, however, by the people who came into our city and chose to engage in acts of destruction and violence, undermining their message. If we are to achieve change and if we are to lead the change, our efforts must be rooted in peace and regard for our community."
Just after midnight, Governor Charlie Baker issued the following statement:
“The murder of George Floyd at the hands of police was a horrible tragedy – one of countless tragedies to befall people of color across the United States. The vast majority of protesters today did so peacefully, toward a common goal of promoting justice and equality.
“I am deeply thankful for their voices and their positive, forceful message. I also want to express my gratitude to all the police officers and other first responders working to protect the people of Boston from the individuals whose violent actions, looting and property destruction was criminal and cowardly – and distracted from the powerful statement made today by thousands of Massachusetts residents.”
SUV Burned, Stores Looted
UPDATED: The SUV later exploded into fire after a flare was thrown into the police vehicle.
At 10:00 PM, Boston Police tweeted, "Those now protesting in the streets of Boston have surrendered the moral high ground as efforts to hurt and harm police officers continue to intensify in our city. Men and women of BPD doing their best to restore order and keep the peace."
The Men’s Warehouse store in the area was broken into and looted.
The crowd chanted, “No Justice. No Peace.”
Boston Police had tweeted at 9:30 PM, “Peaceful protestors along Tremont Street are asked to vacate the area. If you are a peaceful protestor, the time to vacate and go home is now.”
But also tweeted more ominous messages, “Reports of protestors now throwing rocks and bricks at officers along Tremont Street. Again, protestors asked to refrain from hurting and harming police officers.”
“Protestors in the area of Winter and Washington Streets are asked to refrain from throwing dangerous projectiles including glass bottles and frozen water bottles at our officers,” Boston Police tweeted.
This story was first published 5/31/20 at 9:45 PM and updated at 10 PM and again at 6:00 AM on 6/1/20.
