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.


As Minneapolis Burns, Mayor Takes Heat for Response

Associated Press

   First-term Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey appeared to be doing everything
   right.

   He worked with the city's booming business community and the City
   Council. He reached out to minority neighborhoods and advocated for
   affordable housing. He implemented stricter disciplinary measures
   against police who violated the city's body camera policy.

   When George Floyd, a handcuffed black man, died Monday after a white
   police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes and
   ignored his "I can't breathe" pleas, Frey quickly expressed outrage and
   called for charges against the officer. Four officers were fired the
   next day, and on Friday, Officer Derek Chauvin was charged in Floyd's
   death.

   But Frey's leadership is being questioned after police failed to quell
   three nights of looting, rioting and fires that followed Floyd's death.
   Frey, who pleaded for calm, also approved the decision to abandon the
   city's 3rd Precinct station on Thursday night, surrendering it to
   protesters who set fire to the building.

.