How Protests Turn Into Vandalism!

How Protests Turn Into Vandalism and Destruction 

By: Layla Hollis

On May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota the murder of Gorge Floyd took place. Floyd was initially arrested  by officer Derek Chauvin, for allegedly having a counterfeit bill. During the incident Floyd was handcuffed on the ground with Chauvins knee on his neck which is what caused Floyd’s death. This wasn't the first racial attack of the year, so people decided that they had enough. People started off the riots with a bang by burning down the Minneapolis 3rd precinct that Derick Chauvin was a part of.These protests began to spread.  Some of these protests were peaceful, but some not so much. Lynna Hollis observed that “When you oppress people for so long, rage and frustration comes out in all forms.” Unfortunately that is what happened and the targets spread from burning down police stations to breaking into stores. 

     In downtown Chicago and surrounding areas, people started to break into malls and stores as an act of rebellion towards the brutality. Although some people seemed to be fine with this, others were angered because their neighborhoods were being torn apart. People explained that the buildings downtown or on the north side would be rebuilt in no time, the buildings on the south side would never see another day. People complained that others were vandalizing black owned businesses and stores on the south side which doesn’t help the protests because now the residents have nothing. 

A local black-owned bakery, Dat Donuts, Old Fashioned, which is located at 8251 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60619.This was one of many businesses harmed during the riots. This caused an uproar for that community because for the people that live there, they all know of Darryl Townson and his business. Nicky Martin knew him as “a kind giving person who always had a smile on his face.” Many people were changing their opinions and attitudes towards the looting. At first, people were saying that it’s just a part of the rioting and people are just upset, but when people started hurting black owned businesses, it became a problem. This was the moment in which rioting had just become destruction. There was no motive anymore but to simply receive free stuff. The cost of this was devastating for most local businesses and for the black community as a whole. 

Restaurants and grocery stores have been torn down everywhere because of the riots. Clean up crews and construction workers to help rebuild what had been vandalized, but for some unfortunate neighborhoods they have had to resort to cleaning the mess up themselves. People have formed cleaning groups that help each other clean up what others have destroyed. Even as people tried to clean up, the issue was that they couldn’t rebuild. It took a lot of social media blasts and complaining to get business back open, and some businesses that are still struggling because of these actions.

As a result of the looting this neighborhood has suffered and is still trying to rebuild the community. After the initial looting in Washington heights it looked like a war zone. Windows were broken, food/products were stolen and the interior of the stores resembled nothing of what it once was. Luckily people volunteered to help clean up the streets, but what had been stolen and damaged could not have been replaced without a cost. It took a while, but most businesses are reopening in hopes to start a new chapter. Nicky Martin says “I drive by and still see businesses boarded up.” Although there are businesses that are moving up there are still some that may never open back due to the circumstances. These events have definitely affected the community in all different ways because people are losing trust when it comes to their businesses, but despite these concerns the community is slowly, but surely making a comeback.