A solemn Attorney General William on Saturday called out “outside agitators” who’ve hijacked “the forces of peaceful justice” for "their own agenda" in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody, vowing federal prosecution.
In a brief statement, Barr, under the banner of the Department of Justice, declared: “It is a federal crime to cross state lines or to use interstate facility to incite or participate in violent rioting. And we will enforce those laws.”
“The outrage of our national community … is real and legitimate,” Barr said of protests that began Tuesday, the day after Floyd’s brutal death after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on the prostrate Floyd for more than 5 minutes.
“Accountability for his death is being addressed… that system is working,” Barr said. The officer, Derek Chauvin, has been fired and charged with murder and manslaughter.
“Justice will be served,” Barr said.
“Unfortunately … the forces of peaceful justice” have been joined by “outside agitators … “pursuing their own agenda,” Barr said.
Barr described the groups as “anarchic and far-left extremist groups,” including the radical Antifa.
“We must have law and order on our streets and communities,” Barr declared.
On Friday, Barr said there would be a federal civil rights investigation into Floyd's death.
Barr called video of the arrest, which shows Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he lay handcuffed on the ground, “harrowing to watch and deeply disturbing.” Chauvin has been charged with murder and manslaughter in the case.
© 2023 Newsmax. All rights reserved.