Police in Minneapolis were seen slashing the tires of reporters and others around the protests over the police killing of George Floyd.
Several videos posted by reporters appeared to show police stabbing tires of cars that passed by.
One reporter said that every car in a nearby parking lot had its tires slashed.
Canadian journalists covering the protests were told by witnesses that police slashed their tires.
“We’re so busy, it’s just unbelievable,” a tow truck driver told reporter Andrew Kimmel. “Everybody. Medics over there. News crews. Random people that were just here to protest and—tires slashed.”
Police admit they slashed tires:
Minnesota Department of Public Safety spokesman Bruce Gordon confirmed to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that tires were slashed in “a few locations.”
"State Patrol troopers strategically deflated tires … in order to stop behaviors such as vehicles driving dangerously and at high speeds in and around protesters and law enforcement," he said. "While not a typical tactic, vehicles were being used as dangerous weapons and inhibited our ability to clear areas and keep areas safe where violent protests were occurring. As in all operations of this size, there will be a review about how these decisions were made."
The Anoka County sheriff’s department said it followed state orders by cutting tires.
Twitter rejects police explanation:
“Tell me more about how the police are there to protect private property from vandalism during protests,” quipped New School Prof. David Carroll in response to the report.
“This is an unheard of ‘tactic,’” said journalist Danny Rivero. “One way to stop property destruction is by destroying a bunch of property, I guess.”
“I'm still trying to file a police report against the @MinneapolisPD for slashing my tires,” Kimmel wrote. “When I called 911 after the incident, I was told to call 311, which was disconnected. I was then told to go online and file my report there. The page doesn't work.”
