The American city of Philadelphia has called on the National Guard to help maintain order after looting and destruction took place in the city on Monday and Tuesday. Demonstrators have taken to the streets after African American Walter Wallace was shot dead by police. He was carrying a knife and ignored an order from an officer to drop this knife.
Protests started peacefully on Monday, but quickly turned grimmer. Several companies have now been damaged and 91 people have been arrested. Thirty officers have been injured so far.
In addition to the deployment of the army, the city will also increase the number of agents on the street. “Vandalism and looting are not an acceptable form of exercising the right to free speech,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
Protests in the city broke out hours after a video of 27-year-old Wallace’s death was circulated. Protesters believe Wallace’s death is the most recent example of excessive violence against African Americans.
The Philadelphia rallies are one of a wave of rallies since George Floyd’s death last May, who died after a cop pushed his knee against Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.
Wallace was suffering from bipolar disorder
The victim suffered from bipolar disorder, which his wife reportedly reported to the police. Footage shows officers warning Wallace and then drawing their firearms.
Wallace continues to approach the agents with a knife, after which the agents recoil from behind. Shortly afterwards, seven shots are fired at the man.
Wallace’s relatives criticize how cops are equipped. A cousin of Wallace states that if officers had had a taser, things would have been very different. “But in this case they had a gun and that’s what they used.”
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