Over 200 Arrests In Richmond; Tear Gas Used At Peaceful Protest

RICHMOND, VA — Confrontations between protesters and police continued for a fourth day in Richmond in reaction to a black man's death in police custody. Virginia's capital city was among locations across the U.S. where protests turned violent in the aftermath of the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis.

Protests, both violent and peaceful, broke out across the U.S. after Floyd died when a Minneapolis police officer held him down with a knee on his neck. A video of the encounter showed Floyd saying he was struggling to breathe. The involved officer, Derek Chauvin, was charged with third-degree murder. Three other officers on the scene were fired along with Chauvin.

The city's curfew took effect at 8 p.m. on May 31 and continued to 6 a.m. It will occur nightly through June 3, according to a city statement.

But on Monday, police appeared to tear-gas a peaceful crowd of protesters before curfew started. Videos on social media showed a crowd protesting near the Robert E. Lee statue before tear gas was deployed.

Warning: the video below contains strong language.

Richmond Police initially apologized to peaceful protesters for use of tear gas, claiming officers were cut off by violent protesters. Police later tweeted an apology from Police Chief Will Smith for the "unwarranted action." Police say the police chief reviewed video of the tear gas being deployed. Officers who deployed the tear gas will be disciplined for acting outside directions and department protocol, according to police.

Over 233 arrests were made after Sunday's protests, NBC12 reported. Richmond Police tweeted late Sunday that a large group of protesters were breaking the curfew set by the city and that arrests were starting. At a Monday news conference, police told reporters there were 233 Richmond arrests, half of which involved non-city residents, according to NBC12.

On Sunday, Virginia Public Media reporter Roberto Roldan recounted confrontations between protesters and officers before he was pepper-sprayed by police. The incident happened after police with riot gear and mace surrounded protesters and sent tear gas into the crowd. When Roldan identified himself as a member of the media, he claimed an officer pepper-sprayed him.

At a Sunday news conference, Stoney said he saw examples of peaceful protests hijacked by "bad actors" on previous days. He pointed to the case of protesters blocking a path for the fire department to access an occupied home set ablaze as well as destruction at businesses. He said a peaceful march down Broad Street on Sunday exemplified how protesters should let their voices be heard.

On the nights when protesting turned into riots, a lot of the destruction and looting happened on Broad Street in a largely African American area, according to the Washington Post. One of the vandalized businesses was Waller & Company, a 120-year black-owned jewelry store, leading the community to help with cleanup and set up a GoFundMe page.

The protests take into account Richmond's history as the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Among the targets of protesters were the statues of Confederate leaders like Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and Stonewall Jackson, according to pictures posted on social media. In addition, the Daughters of the Confederacy building had been set on fire.

Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency for Virginia on Sunday and approved a curfew request for Richmond. On Monday, civil unrest in Virginia Beach prompted the governor to approve another curfew at local leaders' request. The curfew for Virginia Beach between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. will happen from June 1 to June 4. The governor's state of emergency declaration means the commonwealth can mobilize resources, including the Virginia National Guard, and pre-position people and equipment to help localities de-escalate violent protests and protect public safety.

SEE ALSO:

• VA State Of Emergency Declared After Escalating Violence: Northam
• Police Use Pepper Spray, Deploy Flash Bangs At Manassas Protest
• 17 Arrested At DC Protests, Curfew In Place Sunday, Church Fire
• Vigils For George Floyd Planned In Alexandria, Leaders React
• Fires Set Outside Fredericksburg Police HQ After Day Of Protests