AG Barr: Crossing States Lines to Violently Protest is a Federal Crime, Dept. Of Justice ‘Will Enforce Those Laws’

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Attorney General Barr says that people crossing state lines to participate in violence are committing a federal crime, according to Fox News.

Barr spoke on May 30th about the protests spurred by George Floyd’s death, saying crossing state lines to riot is a federal crime, and the Department of Justice “will enforce those laws.”

Fox News reported on the “grim night of violent riots,” which occurred nationwide in dozens of cities across the U.S.

The violent riots left at least three dead, dozens injured, hundreds arrested and buildings and businesses in charred ruins.

Protests continued for a fifth day after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis while in police custody.

WATCH:

The violence occurred despite the effor of mayors of major cities to impose curfews. Governors in nearly a dozen states deployed the National Guard.

In Minnesota, the police officer accused of murdering George Floyd was arrested and charged with murder. Despite this development, the protests have continued.

In Brooklyn, N.Y., at least 200 people were arrested and “countless” officers were hurt, Fox News reports.

In Beverly Hills, Calif., shops along the storied Rodeo Drive were looted as a crowd estimated at more than 2,000 people chanted “Eat the rich!’ Fox added.

In New York: “A woman was charged Saturday with attempted murder after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail into a police squad car in Brooklyn. Cars were set ablaze in the borough, and in Manhattan’s usually peaceful Union Square, where cops squared off against protesters late into the night. Protesters turned violent after a video circulated online showing an NYPD SUV ramming into a group of protesters in Brooklyn.” [Fox News]

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “If those protesters had just gotten out of the way and not created an attempt to surround that vehicle, we would not be talking about this situation.” [Fox News]

In Los Angeles: “California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles County as hundreds of looters converged on downtown stores and clashed with cops. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a curfew for Saturday night after 500 people were arrested and five police officers were hurt as protests turned violent.” [Fox News]

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In San Francisco: “Damage to police vehicles and assaults against law enforcement officers Saturday night prompted San Francisco Mayor London Breed to call for an immediate curfew until 5 a.m. local time — and to request that California National Guard personnel be placed on standby. Across the bay in Emeryville, a popular shopping destination, looters appeared to be running rampant, smashing windows, and stealing items from popular stores including Best Buy, BevMo and Urban Outfitters, according to the report.” [Fox News]

In Chicago: “Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot imposed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. after hundreds of protesters gathered at Federal Plaza for a demonstration organized by Black Lives Matter. Police cars were set ablaze and covered with anti-cop graffiti and demonstrators were reportedly arrested near Trump Tower.” [Fox News]

In Philadelphia: “Some 13 Philadelphia police officers were injured and more than a dozen people arrested as cars were burned and businesses vandalized before midnight. Mayor Jim Kenney implemented a mandatory citywide curfew starting at 8 p.m. and lasting until 6 a.m.Sunday.” [Fox News]

In Indiana: “In Indianapolis, three people were shot and killed and at least two others wounded as protests morphed into mob violence, according to Police Chief Randal Taylor.” [Fox News]

In Colorado: “In Denver, a car rammed into a police vehicle, “severely” injuring three officers and a civilian and rioters armed with crowbars, baseball bats, assault rifles and handguns attacked cops and peaceful protesters, according to Police Chief Paul Pazen.” [Fox News]

In Washington: “Washington Gov. Jay Inslee activated 200 National Guard members after rioting in Seattle intensified. After protesters shut down Interstate 5 through central Seattle, police used flash bangs and pepper spray to scatter them.” [Fox News]

In Ohio: “In Ohio, 70-year-old U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty was among a group of people hit with pepper spray as police looked to gain control in Columbus, the state capital.” [Fox News]

In Salt Lake City: “In Utah, the National Guard arrived in Salt Lake City after protests turned violent. Police vehicles were targeted and set on fire Saturday, prompting Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, to call for an 8 p.m. curfew that will last until 6 a.m. Monday. Police forces appeared overly rough with an elderly man watching the protests, and knocked him to the ground. Only minor injuries were reported for police and protesters.” [Fox News]

In Atlanta, Georgia: “Security officials surrounded Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s house as crowds of protesters gathered near the mansion. A brick was reportedly thrown at one of the police officers. Multiple police vehicles were reportedly set on fire after protesters and police officers clashed.” [Fox News]

In Dallas, Texas: “A man is currently stable in the hospital, police said, after being assaulted by a group of people in the Victory Park area of Dallas Saturday. The assault has garnered millions of views on Twitter as it happened during an evening of destruction, looting and arrests in the city.” [CBS]