Violence Follows Peaceful Protest In Trenton Over Floyd Killing

TRENTON, NJ — Peaceful protests in New Jersey’s capital city over the death of George Floyd gave way to violence and a lockdown late Sunday night in Trenton.

The violence was in stark contrast to peaceful protests that were held in 28 communities throughout New Jersey over the weekend, where protesters and police marched side-by-side.

However, the protests began peacefully before some bystanders said a different group moved in and set a police car on fire.

Twenty-seven people were arrested in connection with the violence in Trenton, State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick Callahan said during a news conference Monday afternoon. Most of them were local, and the overwhelming charge was criminal mischief, according to Callahan.

However, city officials told nj.com that much of the violence was caused mostly by outsiders, with a few city residents participating. Sixty businesses were damaged in all, according to the report.

The violence led Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora to put the city on lockdown, instituting a curfew at 8 p.m. that was extended until 7 p.m. Monday night, according to City Spokesman Michael Walker.

“Thank God there were no injuries,” Gusciora said in a late night news conference. “There were attempts to loot. This has nothing to do with the conversation of police injustice.”

Later Monday, city officials announced a curfew would be in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday morning. Four Mercer County municipalities will participate in the regional curfew, according to The Trentonian.

All streets and sidewalks must be clear of pedestrian and vehicular traffic by 7 p.m. with the following exceptions, according to city officials:

• Reporting to or from, or performing, their job;
• Because of a reasonable fear for his or her health or safety;
• At the direction of law enforcement or other government agency;
• Delivering food or beverages to, or caring for someone who is in need of medical attention;
• Government officials or employees taking part in their official duties;
• Health care workers;
• Seeking medical attention, essential social services, or assistance from law enforcement or emergency services; and
• Caring for family or other individuals with whom the resident has a close personal relationship such as those whom the individual is a caretaker or romantic partner.

Videos posted on social media late Sunday night showed fire and smoke near North Broad Street in Trenton as people remained in the streets. Others showed looting of a CVS and other small convenience stores. WARNING: EMBEDS CONTAIN STRONG LANGUAGE

"I view those as attacks on our communities," Gov. Phil Murphy announced. "It’s not just a window or it’s not just a door. A community is a living thing. People live there, people work there, they buy their groceries there, they’re neighbors are there. I think it’s a real living reality. I view the attacks less in material concerns, and I don’t make light of the material loss, but I see it in a bigger sense. Whether or not there’s more of it, we hope that there isn’t. Pat, the attorney general and others have spent the past week working their tails off toward that objective."

The protests were part of a nationwide movement after Floyd was killed in a police-involved incident in Minnesota last week.

Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down on a Minneapolis street Monday when officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds. Floyd became unresponsive after 2 minutes, 53 seconds, according to the criminal complaint.

Chauvin was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. In the wake of Floyd's death, protests against racism and police brutality have sparked around the world.

Earlier in the day in Trenton, protesters marched through the streets and held rallies. A group of protesters at the police station asked officers to take a knee with them. When the officers did, a group of protesters cheered, but some others threw water at the officers. Those leading the protest quickly told them to stop.

The city previously issued a statement condemning Floyd’s death.

“Although I do not condone the violence and destruction that we’ve witnessed in Minneapolis, I empathize with the desperation and frustration fueling this response,” Gusciora said in a statement prior to the weekend’s events. “Mr. Floyd’s death is provocative and shocking and a clear illustration of the widening rift between law enforcement and our communities — particularly communities of color and immigrants.

“Trenton Police Director Sheilah Coley, a 30-year veteran of law enforcement who leads the Trenton Police Department, is actively engaged in managing and deploying our hardworking police officers and personnel to control gang activity, violent crime, crimes against property, and financial crimes. The department’s community relations division is committed to strengthening police-community relations in all corners of our city, involving thought leaders and activists, community organizations and homeowners and renters. We stand in solidarity to seek justice for Mr. Floyd.”