Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Minnesota Calls National Guard to Quell Violent Protests in Minneapolis VOA News Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has declared a state of emergency Thursday as protests raged in the tension-filled city where an African American man died in police custody Monday night. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has called out the National Guard to try to prevent a third straight night of violence. Late Thursday a police precinct went up in flames in Minneapolis. Reporters on the scene said the police presence at in the area had been reduced to "zero" and they were unsure where the police were. Posts on Twitter indicated the police station had been abandoned.Firefighters were also absent. Several stores in Minneapolis and the twin city of St. Paul were also set on fire Thursday night. St. Paul police report officers being hit by rocks and bottles. There are also reports of looting in St. Paul. The protesters are enraged by the death of George Floyd after a white police officer knelt on his neck while he was in custody, allegedly killing him. CNN reported that the officer[1]had 18 prior complaints filed against him with the Minneapolis Police Department's Internal Affairs. Minneapolis police say Floyd resembled a suspect wanted for allegedly trying to spend a counterfeit $20 bill in a food store. Police say he had resisted arrest. Bystanders captured the scene on cellphone video as officers detained Floyd. The video spread widely when posted online. "Please, please, please, I can't breathe. Please, man," Floyd pleaded, while being detained by a white police officer. According to cellphone video, the officer held Floyd on the ground and knelt on his neck. Floyd was handcuffed. References 1. https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/28/us/minneapolis-officer-complaints-george-floyd/index.html .