MIAMI – City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina spoke to the public about the looting and protests that took place Saturday night over the death of George Floyd.
Talking about the protest in downtown Miami that started off peacefully on Saturday afternoon then quickly turned into destruction around 7:45 p.m., Colina said that of the 57 people arrested, only 13 lived in the city of Miami.
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Colina called some of the protesters that remained after the intended 6 p.m. end of the rally “agitators," noting that the addresses of some of those who were charged came from Minnesota, New York, Michigan and Georgia. Many of the arrests were for violating the Miami-Dade curfew that was put into place for 10 p.m. Saturday, but some will face charges for arson, trespassing and criminal mischief.
The full press conference can be seen below:
Miami mayor & pd chief presserWATCH LIVE: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Police Chief Jorge Colina hold a press conference at police headquarters.
Posted by WPLG Local 10 on Sunday, May 31, 2020
Curfews will be enforced Sunday in the City of Miami (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.), Miami-Dade County (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.), and Hallandale Beach (11 p.m. to 6 a.m.).
“You want to come and protest and we will protect you, but don’t let it get twisted with someone who has hate in their heart,” Colina said.
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Some of those arrested had rocks and marbles in their backpacks. “They came from outside of our area to turn things around,” Colina said.
There are two protests that are underway Sunday, one in Broward County at Huizenga Park near Los Olas and the other outside of the American Airlines Arena. So far, the protesters have been staying in staged areas and not marching through the streets.
Miami’s mayor pleaded for the protests to remain peaceful Sunday. Colina advised protesters that if they see someone breaking the law to not become part of that mob. “It is very easy for us to see who those people are who don’t care anything about Justice for George."