Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets across America yesterday with what started as peaceful demonstrations against police killings of black people. However, it got overshadowed by riots and looting. Cities from Philadelphia to Atlanta to LA were ravaged. City and state officials deployed thousands of National Guard soldiers, and shut down mass transit systems to slow protesters’ movements. Curfews were placed in major cities around the US including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, LA, San Francisco, Seattle and here in San Diego. In Minneapolis, , a tanker truck driver drove into a massive crowd of demonstrators. There were three full days of demonstrations with the White House going black last night. The entire DC National Guard was called in to help control the protests. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets across America yesterday with what started as peaceful demonstrations against police killings of black people. However, it got overshadowed by riots and looting. Cities from Philadelphia to Atlanta to LA were ravaged. City and state officials deployed thousands of National Guard soldiers, and shut down mass transit systems to slow protesters’ movements. Curfews were placed in major cities around the US including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, LA, San Francisco, Seattle and here in San Diego. In Minneapolis, , a tanker truck driver drove into a massive crowd of demonstrators. There were three full days of demonstrations with the White House going black last night. The entire DC National Guard was called in to help control the protests. Police once again clashed with protesters in Washington, D.C. on Sunday. According to The New York Times, Donald Trump was sent to an underground bunker on Friday night when the demonstrations had Secret Service agents concerned for his safety. Trump was out-of-sight on Sunday, save for his usual activity on Twitter, as fires burned near the White House.
Click HERE for full list of curfews in cities across San Diego county
Some large and small stores had to close locations across the country due to the protests. Target, CVS, Apple and Walmart all said that they had temporarily closed or limited hours at some locations for safety reasons. In some places, their stores have been burned, broken into or looted as protests turned violent. Amazon adjusted its routes and suspended deliveries to keep its drivers safe in some cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Minneapolis.
Here in San Diego Rioters torched banks and looted stores late Saturday night. Dozens of people wearing masks were filmed running in out of stores in a shopping plaza on University Avenue. Looters were seen leaving Vons. Graffiting walls, smashing windows at Play It Again Sports, Walmart at Grossmont Centers, Sally's Beauty, and other locals businesses. A Chase Bank and Union Bank were completely burned to the ground. On Sunday the community came together to clean up but some businesses say they may never recover from this. The 8 fwy was blocked in both directions on Saturday.
The protests continued overnight in downtown San Diego and the 5 freeway was shut down in both directions yesterday. Police also closed the Coronado bridge. The protest started peaceful at the Hall of Justice heading towards the county building in Little Italy. The group, had a few minutes of silence, taking a knee together however it got bad as the night went on. Buildings were vandalized throughout the night. Rocks and bottles were thrown at officers.