Tom Hauser Twitter
Pic.twitter.com/2e2tm8EB6v — Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) October 2, 2020 Trump also posed for pictures with guests but stayed several feet away from them and didn't have any physical contact with. Find Tom Hauser of KSTP-TV (St Paul, MN)'s articles, email address, contact information, Twitter and more.
At 5:40pm on Sunday evening, a tanker truck drove into protesters on the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis. The event was covered live on local news networks. I saw it live myself and was horrified as people scattered, some possibly hurt. The driver was pulled from his cab on live TV and it was only the intervention of protesters and police that kept him from some summary justice.
Almost immediately, Rep. Ryan Winkler, the DFL House Majority Leader, tweeted the following:
Yesterday, KSTP reported:
Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said Monday that it doesn’t appear that [Bogdan] Vechirko intentionally drove on the highway and tried to cause harm.
From a press conference, Tom Hauser reported:
DPS Commissioner Harrington now says the truck driver on 35W bridge was speeding, but it does NOT appear he intentionally tried to drive into protesters. He panicked. Investigation continues. Also, the fuel tanker was empty. pic.twitter.com/7MFRuaCGTI
— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) June 1, 2020
Gov. Walz says a tweet by DFL House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (since deleted) was “not helpful” and an example of why “civic leadership by Twitter” is not a good idea. The tweet claimed the truck driver on 35W bridge acted intentionally and had “confederate flag” in truck. pic.twitter.com/wNDAzExGLr
— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) June 1, 2020
It is true that Rep. Winkler deleted his tweet, explaining:
Deleted a Tweet with inaccurate information. Chaotic scene and multiple reports.
— Ryan Winkler (@_RyanWinkler) June 1, 2020
But the question is why tweet it in the first place? Anybody who saw the scene on TV knew that it was “chaotic”, hardly surprising when a semi truck drives into a crowd. Why not wait until there is more actual information before taking to social media?
The violence in the Twin Cities in the last week has caught the attention of the world. It can hardly have escaped Rep. Winkler’s notice that this is a highly combustible situation – literally, in all too many cases. What we need from our elected officials is a calming influence. Instead, Rep. Winkler gave us the worst kind of hysterical rumor mongering, throwing a lighted match into a tinderbox without even enough consideration or common sense to check whether the rumors he was peddling were true.
The protests on Sunday were mostly peaceful and did good service to the memory of George Floyd. But they might not have been. There was a very real danger that the incident on the I-35W bridge could have ignited another night of violence in the Twin Cities. Making baseless claims about the driver made that vastly more likely. For that, Rep. Winkler should resign.
John Phelan is an economist at the Center of the American Experiment.
George Floyd died on May 25 after being arrested by Minneapolis police officers near the intersection of Chicago Ave South and 38th Street. The incident, caught on camera by bystanders, shows chilling footage of Floyd on the ground while the officer continues to restrain Floyd by pushing his knee into Floyd’s neck. George Floyd passed away shortly after the arrest, sparking worldwide outrage that turned into protests and riots. In Minneapolis, peaceful protests by day turned into looting and riots by night. Fires erupted, glass shattered, and people’s livelihoods and life savings went up in smoke.
Here is the full video of the incident (viewer discretion advised):
‘Please. Your knee in my neck. I can’t breathe.’
Black man George Floyd died shortly after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck (warning: distressing) pic.twitter.com/g13U7U8XJO
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) May 27, 2020
The officer detaining Floyd was identified as Derek Chauvin. Chauvin and the 3 other officers involved were fired from the Minneapolis Police Dept. The public was outraged and called for criminal charges against all officers involved. Protests and riots continued through the Minneapolis/Twin Cities metro area.
While the Twin Cities were in turmoil, citizen journalism stepped up. Twitter exploded with coverage, showing footage of looting and riots that were missing from news channels the first few days after Floyd’s death.
I’m getting out. The intersection is in a state of anarchy. Several fires raging to a soundtrack of firecrackers and shattered glass. pic.twitter.com/k2d1qWYW6s
— Liz Sawyer (@ByLizSawyer) May 29, 2020
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. were the source of breaking news about the George Floyd case. Twitter broke the news of former Officer Chauvin’s arrest and charges.
NEW: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said he just received information that the officer identified as Derrick Chauvin in the death of George Floyd has been taken into custody by the BCA
— Briana Bierschbach (@bbierschbach) May 29, 2020
BREAKING: Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin is charged with murder in the third degree and manslaughter, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says. The investigation into the killing of George Floyd continues pic.twitter.com/IkMpbbewUl
— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) May 29, 2020
Minneapolis’s 3rd and 5th precinct were central to the protests and looting, as well as areas in St. Paul on University Ave and Lake Street.
A police station in Minneapolis has been set alight during a third night of protests over the death of unarmed black man George Floyd
The unrest continued as the governor of Minnesota deployed hundreds of members of the National Guard to restore orderhttps://t.co/RgVJ70RCGDpic.twitter.com/WjHH2LJ6Hc
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 29, 2020
BREAKING: Minnesota Governor Walz declares state of emergency and deploys National Guard amid looting in Minneapolis and St. Paul pic.twitter.com/asrMVzxDO1
— BNO News (@BNONews) May 28, 2020
Some photos of the Wendy’s near the 3rd Precinct in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/JxmeSiUT8P
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
25-year-old 7-Mile Sportswear was purchased 2019 by Jin Lim. “Completely destroyed,” Lim says. pic.twitter.com/2VPMxdAznj
— Frederick Melo, Reporter (@FrederickMelo) May 29, 2020
Brenda Lenton was heartbroken after her apartment and belongings were destroyed by a fire during violent protests in #Minneapolis Thursday night. Neighbors saw the stores they relied on for groceries and supplies smashed and burned. Read more: https://t.co/YleIijwgHJpic.twitter.com/scBQsU1ci0
— Star Tribune (@StarTribune) May 29, 2020
Businesses all over S. Minneapolis have boarded up their windows in anticipation of riots. Lyn-Lake in particular looks like the aftermath of a hurricane. pic.twitter.com/nN66KCBFQz
— Tom Lyden (@LydenFOX9) May 29, 2020
The violence soon escalated and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Walz began talking of sending in the National Guard to keep things under control. They would not do so for the first few days of riots, getting criticism for standing by while violent rioters caused destruction. Governor Walz’s daughter, Hope Walz, took to Twitter to leak State information that the National Guard would not be coming on the first night, as if to promote the looting and rioting. Her account soon went private, but not before the Twitterverse caught on.
Photo via @PeteHegseth on Twitter.
George Floyd’s brother called for an end to the violence, saying that George would never have wanted that.
WATCH: 'Let's do this another way,' George Floyd's brother says at the site of his death. 'Let's stop thinking that our voice don't matter and vote. Not just vote for the president, vote for the preliminaries, vote for everybody. Educate yourself.' pic.twitter.com/UxxQV6v4dJ
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 1, 2020
As the situation got more and more out of hand, calling upon the National Guard was necessary in restoring order in peace. However, the decision was made late, and for 3 days the Twin Cities metro burned. A curfew for Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding areas was announced so that the Guard was able to identify those causing the destruction.
BREAKING: MN Gov. Tim Walz imposes an 8 p.m. curfew in the Twin Cities starting tonight after three nights of rioting, looting and arson in aftermath of the death of George Floyd. A former Mpls Police officer has been charged with 3rd degree murder in the case. pic.twitter.com/dEWxIaGJux
— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) May 29, 2020
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he's activating all of the state's available National Guard troops — up to 13,200 — in response to protests ignited by George Floyd's death in Minneapolis. Follow the latest: https://t.co/8rxo0cd6Lwpic.twitter.com/hSabV3NJzD
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 30, 2020
📸Members of the National Guard patrol the streets of Minneapolis after being activated by the governor in the wake of violent protests over the death of George Floyd. https://t.co/cYbVQs6VUspic.twitter.com/OuaqqcySsT
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 29, 2020
Minnesota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen stood guard overnight alongside local law enforcement, protecting Minnesota’s Capitol area. Throughout the night, Soldiers and Airmen completed 18 missions to include providing security for hospitals and escorting ambulances. pic.twitter.com/tac4KwOHSR
— MN National Guard (@MNNationalGuard) May 31, 2020
National Guard in Minnesota “light em up” pic.twitter.com/CVHvg1DSCG
— BallerAlert (@balleralert) May 31, 2020
As the media started to cover the riots occurring in the Twin Cities, some reporters got caught up with law enforcement. A CNN reporter was arrested while broadcasting live.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAxUufFiTAQ/?igshid=b9f6s8bq5r5e
The National Guard was successful in preventing further damage done to the Twin Cities metro area. They did so with valor and vigor.
It's been a long night for Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen. pic.twitter.com/ePMw3Cgsh3
— MN National Guard (@MNNationalGuard) May 31, 2020
Minnesota Guardsmen took some time while they were out on duty today to assist in cleaning up the community. We’re committed to restoring order and helping to maintain the peace. pic.twitter.com/hi2gdEaV7d
— MN National Guard (@MNNationalGuard) May 31, 2020
Kstp Tom Hauser Twitter
There were many groups involved with the protests and riots. The peaceful protestors are separate from those who burned and shattered Minnesota’s communities. The protestors came together in solidarity to celebrate George Floyd’s life, and protest the wrongful acts that led to his death, and the death of many others in the same way. Amidst the violence, there was peace and community. The National Guard even showed their support for those protesting peacefully.
The neighborhood this morning pic.twitter.com/bqaZ4oGkaZ
— Dana Raidt (@dana_darko) May 29, 2020
A compelling moment that shows the best of Minnesota. A MN National Guard leader at the State Capitol telling demonstrators his troops will remain out of sight and allow them to exercise their First Amendment rights with out interference or intimidation. pic.twitter.com/QDSNdB48SG
— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) June 2, 2020
Minnesotans helped one another clean up the damage.
It was amazing to see how much help and support residents of the community work giving firefighters in front of the burned Sports Dome on University Ave. in Saint Paul, Minnesota. #GeorgeFloydpic.twitter.com/PJszx4lbBz
— Mark J. Westpfahl (@MarkJWestpfahl) May 29, 2020
With the presence of the National Guard, the violence came to a stop, but the peaceful protestors kept going. On Sunday, the protestors situated themselves on the I-35W highway, when a semi-truck nearly barreled into the crowd. Thankfully no one was injured. The highway had been closed due to the presence of protestors, but there was no barrier holding the truck driver back when he had driven through. DFL Majority Leader Ryan Winkler went on Twitter and claimed the driver had gone into the crowd intentionally and had with him a confederate flag and white supremacist paraphernalia. That claim was utterly false and sent a wave of misinformation that was reiterated by many, even Governor Walz.
BREAKING: A semi truck is currently driving through protesters on the I-35W bridge. | https://t.co/zCQBVlyZ4Ppic.twitter.com/CH1Lv0rqjv
— WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) May 31, 2020
Gov. Walz says a tweet by DFL House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (since deleted) was “not helpful” and an example of why “civic leadership by Twitter” is not a good idea. The tweet claimed the truck driver on 35W bridge acted intentionally and had “confederate flag” in truck. pic.twitter.com/wNDAzExGLr
— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) June 1, 2020
Drivers slimtek. It was later found that the truck driver had unintentionally driven through the crowd, he had no sign of any confederate flag or white supremacist symbols, and was released without charges two days later on June 2, 2020.
RELEASED: A 35-year-old Otsego man has been released from custody without charges after driving his semi-truck into a crowd of protesters on the I-35W bridge over the weekend. MnDOT has also released traffic footage leading up to the incident. https://t.co/h82oRz6jhD
— WCCO – CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) June 2, 2020
Looking back on the events that transpired this week, we see a common theme: lack of leadership. Mayor Jacob Frey’s hesitancy in asking for help from the National Guard saw the destruction of Minneapolis’s 3rd and 5th precincts, and spots in St. Paul. Governor Walz failed to make the final call of sending in the Guard. Because of their inaction, many people’s communities, livelihoods, and more are destroyed not just in Minnesota, but across the country. Now the question is what will happen to the many minority-owned businesses that were demolished?
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka criticized Governor Walz for his inept leadership during this crisis.
(1/3)The senseless life-taking of George Floyd, and what happened after is something I’ve never witnessed in my life here in Minnesota. I watched the buildings burn and the protests, and I can only come to one conclusion: Above all else, this is a failure in leadership. #mnleg
— Paul Gazelka (@paulgazelka) May 29, 2020
(3/3)The fact that we just saw over 170 business burn in St. Paul and then many other communities all receiving damage, I lay responsibility fully on Walz. Not just from today moving forward, but from the beginning. To watch our cities burning, there’s no excuse for that. #mnleg
— Paul Gazelka (@paulgazelka) May 29, 2020
Minnesota GOP Chairwoman, Jennifer Carnahan calls for the resignation of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Walz.
Openssh.server 0.0.1.0 download. A second open letter to @GovTimWalz and @MayorFrey … please resign now. pic.twitter.com/CGXlvYEePt
— Jennifer Carnahan (@jkcarnah) May 30, 2020
Kstp Twitter
Governor Walz and Mayor Frey failed Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota, our Nation, and most importantly, George Floyd. Floyd’s family remembers him as a devout Christian and an honest, respectful member of the community. Floyd moved to Minneapolis from Texas to start a new life, and often encouraged his friends to do the same. He leaves behind his family, his fiancee, and their daughter.