[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 31st (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump strongly hinted at a federal-level response regarding the spread of protests against the death of Black man George Floyd. The protests are growing and spreading to 75 regions nationwide.
President Trump, through his tweet on the day, labeled the leading forces of the protests as 'far-right leftists' and announced his intention to designate 'Antifa' as a terrorist organization. 'Antifa' is a term referring to far-left groups opposing far-right fascists.
President Trump also stated, "I congratulate the National Guard for the excellent job done immediately upon arriving in Minneapolis last night," adding, "Anarchists led by Antifa were quickly suppressed."
Earlier, President Trump referred to the protesters as 'thugs' and warned, "When looting starts, shooting starts," encouraging a strong response including military deployment and threats of gunfire, which has been criticized for fostering national division.
He further urged, "Cities and states led by Democratic officials should review the complete suppression of radical leftist anarchists in Minneapolis last night. The National Guard did an excellent job," and called on other states to deploy the National Guard before it is too late.
President Trump, a day earlier, criticized the violent protests by saying that the memorial for Floyd was "being tarnished by rioters, looters, and anarchists," and stated, "Antifa and radical left groups who terrorize innocent people are leading violence and public property damage," adding, "Justice is never achieved by angry mobs, and I will not tolerate it."
Government and White House officials also support President Trump's stance. Attorney General William Barr issued a statement saying, "In many places, violence appears to be planned, organized, and driven by anarchist groups and left-wing extremist groups like Antifa," and warned of "severe punishment" for those "mostly from outside the state (Minnesota)" who incite violence.
White House National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, in a broadcast interview, emphasized the need to distinguish between "violent rioters," including Antifa, and "peaceful protesters" who have the right to take to the streets, asserting, "This is being driven by Antifa."
Protests against the George Floyd incident have spread to 75 cities across the United States. According to AP News and CNN, riots accompanied by looting and arson have occurred nationwide, with shootings following, resulting in at least four deaths so far. More than 1,600 protesters have been arrested.
As violent protests turned the entire U.S. into a lawless state, over 20 cities imposed nighttime curfews, and 12 states, including the capital Washington D.C. and California, mobilized the National Guard.
The New York Times (NYT) reported, "It is the first time since the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 that many local governments nationwide have simultaneously issued curfews."
NYT stated, "Following COVID-19 lockdowns, economic slowdown, and massive unemployment, Americans are expressing their pain over inequality related to the Floyd incident."
The situation in Washington D.C., the U.S. capital, is also serious. Clashes occurred between protesters and Secret Service agents protecting the White House, and the National Guard was deployed around the White House. Protesters attacked Fox News reporters covering the event, and Lafayette Park near the White House was set on fire.
The Veterans Affairs building, a federal government facility near the White House, was damaged by protesters, with shattered glass fragments covering the sidewalks. Protesters left graffiti insulting President Donald Trump on the building walls.
Protesters looted and set fire to shops in the upscale Melrose and Fairfax Avenue areas and Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. California Governor Gavin Newsom deployed the National Guard to LA and imposed a nighttime curfew.
NYT reported that since the first protest on the 26th in Minneapolis, a total of four people have died due to shootings and other incidents.
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