Minnesota National Guard on Standby as Anti-Police Brutality Demonstrations Continue in Minneapolis

(KNSI) – The Minnesota National Guard has been put on standby to possibly assist law enforcement in Minneapolis amid protests and demonstrations in response to the fatal shooting of Winston Smith on June 3rd by law enforcement.

According to Gov. Tim Walz’s office, the guard hasn’t been given any operational orders yet. The Minnesota National Guard on Twitter confirmed that about 100 soldiers have been activated to potentially support law enforcement in Minneapolis, but are not currently in the city.

The @MNNationalGuard has activated approximately 100 Soldiers from the 257th Military Police Company at the request of the city of Minneapolis for potential support to civil unrest within the city.

— MN National Guard (@MNNationalGuard) June 16, 2021

In a letter to Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday requested that Minnesota National Guard assets be available to possibly assist local law enforcement in the case of civil unrest.

“Should these soldiers be needed, Chief [Medaria] Arradondo has requested that they be assigned to teams with law enforcement officers and focus on property protection details and static traffic posts,” Frey wrote.

Protesters have gathered at and have attempted to blockade the intersection of Lake Street and Girard Avenue following Smith’s death. On June 3rd, authorities say a U.S. Marshals Service task force was attempting to arrest Smith on a warrant for being a felon in possession of a firearm when he allegedly displayed a handgun. Two sheriff’s deputies — one from Hennepin County and one from Ramsey County — who were serving on the task force fired at Smith, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

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