By 
US President Donald Trump is in no mood to beat around the bush in dealing with the violent protests against George Floyd’s death. “Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” said the president.
Within a matter of hours, Twitter flagged president’s tweet for “glorifying violence.” However, the post remains visible in “public interest.”
George Floyd: The Incident
George Floyd was a 46-year-old African American man. He lost his life in Minneapolis last Monday while being restrained by the police. A video footage of the incident went viral shortly after. The video shows a police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he struggles to breath.
Since the incident took place, four police officers have been fired. Also, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will conduct a federal civil rights probe. The officer seen in the video is identified as Derek Chauvin. Chauvin was charged with third degree murder.
….These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
“I can’t breathe,” cried Floyd as he gasped for breath. Floyd’s cry brings back memories from a similar incident from 2014. Eric Garner, an African American man, had cried for help with these exact words as he was held in a chokehold by a police officer right before he died.
George Floyd: Black Lives Matter Movement
The movement became widely recognized back in 2014 while protesting the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown. Three African American women started the BLM. The movement was quick to expand across the country and also invited international public interest.
#MAGA #Trump-flag flying Jeep runs down #GeorgeFloyd protestors in the street yesterday in Visalia, CA: pic.twitter.com/DSt8LkYhgD
— MK-Ultra News (@mkultranews) May 31, 2020
However, the movement has become a target of criticism by alt-right commentators in the U.S. In fact, some BLM opponents have started counter-campaigns with names such as “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter.”
