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(KNSI) – Governor Tim Walz is activating the Minnesota National Guard to assist with public safety efforts surrounding the trials of the former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd.
“There are some public safety events for which you cannot plan, and there are some for which you can,” Walz said. “The upcoming trials of the former officers involved in the death of George Floyd have raised the potential of civil unrest in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and nearby communities. At the request of the City of Minneapolis and the City of Saint Paul, I have authorized the Minnesota National Guard to assist local law enforcement agencies during the upcoming trials.”
In a press release, Walz’s office describes that members of the Guard will be “visible and available as needed as public interest increases surrounding the trials.”
Executive Order 21-06 takes effect 15 days after it is published in the State Register, and it will end on December 31st, when rescinded or when the need for the National Guard service ends, whichever happens first.
Ex-officer Derek Chauvin’s trial begins on March 8th. He is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. The three other former officers accused in George Floyd’s death will face trial in August on charges of aiding and abetting.
Earlier this week, Walz urged the state legislature to act on his SAFE Account proposal that, if passed into law, would help compensate outside police departments that respond to a need for elevated police presence in the Twin Cities during the trials. Senate Republicans are not on board with that proposal.
Twin Cities law enforcement is already coordinating with other agencies across the state ahead of the high-profile trial.
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