New evidence shines a light on the law enforcement response to the #GeorgeFloyd uprising.
MN's Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the National Guard and defense contractor Safariland were among those coordinating munitions delivery to the Twin Cities.
unicornriot.ninja/2020/behind-th…
MN's Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the National Guard and defense contractor Safariland were among those coordinating munitions delivery to the Twin Cities.
unicornriot.ninja/2020/behind-th…
Records requests filed for this story originally sought to clarify the role of @mndnr planes circling #GeorgeFloyd unrest in the Twin Cities.
We were surprised to learn the DNR aviation fleet had been tasked with resupplying riot police on the ground w/ munitions and supplies.
We were surprised to learn the DNR aviation fleet had been tasked with resupplying riot police on the ground w/ munitions and supplies.
Emails referencing “1600 pounds of cargo” were sent on May 28, the third straight day of #GeorgeFloyd protests in Minnesota.
Minneapolis Safariland distributor Kevin Degel and DNR Forestry Pilot Steven Day coordinated rush deliveries of tear gas and other munitions to MN police.
Minneapolis Safariland distributor Kevin Degel and DNR Forestry Pilot Steven Day coordinated rush deliveries of tear gas and other munitions to MN police.
You may recognize the name Safariland from the #NoDAPL movement at Standing Rock in North Dakota in 2016-17.
They are a profitable police vendor corporation known for manufacturing tear gas and other grenades often associated with injuries of protesters:
They are a profitable police vendor corporation known for manufacturing tear gas and other grenades often associated with injuries of protesters:
https://twitter.com/UR_Ninja/status/801632930862944257?s=20
Here's a glimpse of some "less lethal" munitions fired by Minneapolis PD on May 26 during the genesis of the #GeorgeFloyd uprising.
Canisters are labeled w info for Defense Technology, a Safariland subsidiary.
(These munitions called "less lethal" bc they can still cause death)
Canisters are labeled w info for Defense Technology, a Safariland subsidiary.
(These munitions called "less lethal" bc they can still cause death)
Urgency is palpable in late May/early June texts sent to/from Craig Benz, Chief Pilot & Lieutenant with @MnDPS_DPS.
Benz made clear to his colleagues that @mndnr's riot police munition resupply flights were "the priority" to MN state officials.
unicornriot.ninja/2020/behind-th…
Benz made clear to his colleagues that @mndnr's riot police munition resupply flights were "the priority" to MN state officials.
unicornriot.ninja/2020/behind-th…
MN DPS Lieutenant Benz's texts show police on the ground during early #GeorgeFloyd protests were reinforced by a semi truck load of cargo, as well as by a C-130 military transport & @BemidjiAviation aircraft.
Bemidji Aviation has not replied to a request for comment about their role in these historic events.
They apparently used their cargo subsidiary Encore, which operates aircraft for cargo charters, to assist in supplying repressive police operations during #GeorgeFloyd protests.
They apparently used their cargo subsidiary Encore, which operates aircraft for cargo charters, to assist in supplying repressive police operations during #GeorgeFloyd protests.
Bemidji Aviation's Fairchild Metroliner III airplane reportedly had to make two trips on May 30, which could total 6,400 pounds of "priority" police cargo being shipped to Minneapolis on that day alone.
Other texts illustrate the urgency police felt as widespread fury over #GeorgeFloyd's killing continued to rage into June 2020:
“He needs to go straight to St Paul. This load is for issues expected today...Change your flight plan to [St Paul]. They want your cargo there ASAP.“
“He needs to go straight to St Paul. This load is for issues expected today...Change your flight plan to [St Paul]. They want your cargo there ASAP.“
While there is no manifest accounting for each pound of munitions and supplies, a lot of Safariland’s products will likely look familiar to the record number of people who protested in Minneapolis (or other hotspot cities like Portland, OR) during spring and summer 2020.
Having a nearly limitless arsenal of weapons on hand during the biggest defeat faced by law enforcement in years (the burning of MPD’s 3rd Precinct), Minnesota police aggressively used “less lethal” munitions against protesters, journalists & bystanders w/ little to no restraint.
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