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'At breaking point': Australian professor tells of Minneapolis chaos
By Anthony Colangelo and Nicole Precel
An Australian academic living in Minneapolis has described a city at "breaking point" as unrest driven by anger over the death in police custody of George Floyd causes the boarding up of homes and businesses.
Professor Sue Duval, who was born in Adelaide but has lived in the US for 25 years, says even her white son is uncomfortable about interacting with police.
Ms Duval and her son, Jeremy, live about 10 minutes from where furious Minneapolis residents are protesting the death of George Floyd, killed while being arrested on Monday.
Several nights of protests have followed across the US in cities including New York City, Atlanta, Houston, Washington DC and Denver.
Demonstrators in Minneapolis - where police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with murder over Floyd's death - were met by the United States National Guard last night after they burnt down a police station, destroyed cars, looted business and beat up cars.
Tension was fuelled and fanned amid the uproar, first by the state's prosecutor wrongly saying Chauvin would not be charged with murder and then by President Donald Trump posting a tweet with the phrase "when the looting starts, the shooting starts".
Police deploy tear gas against demonstrators on Friday, local time, in Minneapolis. Credit: AP
"They're boarding up homes and businesses in sleepy little Golden Valley [her suburb] because of threats," she said. "Nothing ever happens in Golden Valley. It just doesn't.
“The world is sort of in a tough place but I think the US has just gotten itself into this terrible situation and I can’t imagine it getting out of it for years, whatever that means.
Professor Sue Duval and her son Jeremy Duval on her son's graduation day.
“This is the first time I have felt uncomfortable here.”
Minneapolis is cold most of the year but quite cosmopolitan, peaceful and tolerant, she says.
It is known for its many theatres and Professor Duval says it resembles Melbourne in that sense. It’s "artsy and classy, the hometown of Prince".
“It’s beautiful. It’s called the 'State of 10,000 lakes'. Right now, looking out my window it is absolutely lush green," she says.
“It’s got a hell of a lot going for it. I love it. I can drive home through the city and it’s never crazy. It’s easy, you can just drive downtown.
"Things like this don't happen here."
Professor Duval has lived in Minneapolis for 21 years, and Colorado for four years before that. She moved to the US to study a PhD and met her husband, who died three years ago, and had a son.
She said Floyd's death sparked the protests, but feels the demontrators' anger also carries with it a disdain for Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and the job he is doing in general.
"People are at their breaking point already. Minnesota is generally a blue [Democratic Party] state," Professor Duval says.
"My son is white, and he doesn't feel comfortable going to the police for help.
"People are so distressed. It is not unique to Minnesota. So many people are struggling to make ends meet and this happens and people think 'What the hell? What is going on in this land?"
Neal McMahon, 41, a resident of St Paul, Minnesota’s capital and second most populous city, has called it home for thirteen and a half years after moving there for his job.
He said his social media had “lit up” with people getting in touch to check whether he is okay, given he lives within two blocks of where the riots are taking place.
“Some small family-owned business have perished that will never reopen,” he said.
“A local small family-owned drug store (chemist) that had been around for over 100 years burned to ground about five blocks from my home.
“I am worried but also infuriated.”