https://www.foxnews.com/us/minnesota-national-guard-full-mobilization-george-floyd
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Saturday he has authorized "full mobilization" of the state's National Guard - something that has never been done in the 164-year history of the Minnesota National Guard.
Walz, who has been hammered by residents, critics and the press for his response to the crisis in his state, pushed back on the idea that the protests, which have turned increasingly violent, now have anything to do with George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis killed while in police custody.
"The tactics and the approach that we have taken have evolved and need to evolve the same way, with a sensitivity to the legitimate rage and anger that came after what the world witnessed in the murder of George Floyd and was manifested in a very healthy gathering of community to memorialize that Tuesday night, which was still present to a certain degree on Wednesday," he said, adding, "By Thursday it was nearly gone and last night is a mockery of pretending this is about George Floyd's death or inequities or historical traumas to our communities of color."
During his Saturday morning press conference, Walz also thanked first responders "who are out there protecting our cities."
"As they were taking incoming fire, improvised explosive devices and a highly evolved and tightly-controlled group of folks bent on adapting their tactics to make it as difficult as possible to maintain that order," he said.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey added that most of the violent protesters aren't residents of the city but instead people taking advantage of a situation and hellbent on fanning the flames of hate.
"This is no longer about protesting," Frey said. "This is about violence and we need to make sure that it stops."
Both leaders have implied that organized outsiders, including but not limited to anarchists, white supremacists and gangs from other states, were behind the destruction and chaos in Minneapolis.“The sheer number of rioters has made it impossible to make coherent arrests… The capacity to be able to do offensive action was greatly diminished” by the sheer scope and seemingly organized nature of the assaults," Walz said.
“The terrifying thing is that this resembles more a military operation now as you observe ringleaders moving from place to place,” he added.Fed up residents and local businesses that have been looted and set on fire hope the city will see some calm with the arrival of the National Guard.
Minnesota's National Guard is comprised of more than 13,000 soldiers, according to the Guard's 2019 annual report.
Reinforcements from the active-duty forces could also be on the way soon. Military police units have been put on alert. Fox News can confirm at least one unit out of Fort Drum, New York home to the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division has been told to be ready to deploy in 4-hours if needed.