BOSTON — Several rallies and marches in Boston on Sunday started out peaceful before turning violent and destructive as the night went on. On Monday morning, many crews were cleaning up the streets.
Video from Sunday night shows thousands of people filling the streets of Boston, marching peacefully to protest George Floyd’s May 25 death in Minnesota.
Many people carried signs that read “Black Lives Matter,” “Justice for George” and “Silence is violence.”
One of the marches began in Roxbury and ended at the Massachusetts State House. As the day turned dark though, the situation devolved fast and the National Guard was called in to back up State and Boston Police.
Boston Police said officers were pelted with glass bottles, rocks and even bricks. Police cars were set on fire and people were looting, breaking into stores and smashing store-front windows.
As of 3 a.m., Boston Police said seven police officers were brought to the hospital for injuries and several more were treated on scene, 21 police cruisers were damaged and 40 people were arrested. That number is likely to increase.
Former Boston Police Chief Dan Linskey applauded the majority of the demonstrators who remained peaceful and eventually went home before things turned worse.
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Another rally featured church leaders at Boston Police Headquarters, where people observed a moment of silence for 8 minutes and 49 seconds, which is the length of time that the Minneapolis Police Officer kneeled on George Floyd’s neck.
Video has been shared on social media of Boston Police officers standing atop one of their damaged cruisers Sunday night.
Boston Police Officer Kim Tavares responded to that video, saying, “The car was already damaged so in order for the officers to be able to move the vehicle, they had to break the glass to peel away the windshield out so they could safely drive it out.”
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Many businesses were allowed to begin reopening on Monday for curbside pickup, but with store-front damage, broken glass and plywood covering doors and windows, some may have to wait.
Boston protests George Floyd Protesters demonstrate in Boston, Sunday, May 31, 2020, over the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests George Floyd Protesters demonstrate in Boston, Sunday, May 31, 2020, over the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests George Floyd Protesters demonstrate in Boston, Sunday, May 31, 2020, over the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests George Floyd Protesters demonstrate in Boston, Sunday, May 31, 2020, over the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests George Floyd Protesters demonstrate in Boston, Sunday, May 31, 2020, over the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests George Floyd Protesters demonstrate in Boston, Sunday, May 31, 2020, over the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests for George Floyd (Litsa Pappas/Boston 25 News)
Boston protests for George Floyd (Litsa Pappas/Boston 25 News)
Boston protests for George Floyd (Litsa Pappas/Boston 25 News)
Boston protest George Floyd (Litsa Pappas/Boston 25 News)
Protestors outside State House (Sky 25/Boston 25 News)
Boston protests Protesters march past Boston police officers, right, as they demonstrate Sunday, May 31, 2020, in Boston, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in police custody in Minneapolis. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests Protesters march past Boston police officers, right, as they demonstrate Sunday, May 31, 2020, in Boston, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in police custody in Minneapolis. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests Protesters march past Boston police officers, right, as they demonstrate Sunday, May 31, 2020, in Boston, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in police custody in Minneapolis. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests Protesters march past Boston police officers, right, as they demonstrate Sunday, May 31, 2020, in Boston, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in police custody in Minneapolis. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests Protesters march past Boston police officers, right, as they demonstrate Sunday, May 31, 2020, in Boston, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in police custody in Minneapolis. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests Protesters march past Boston police officers, right, as they demonstrate Sunday, May 31, 2020, in Boston, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who was in police custody in Minneapolis. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests turn violent A police car burns, left rear, after being set on fire in Boston, Sunday, May 31, 2020, following a march and gathering to protest the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests turn violent A police car burns, left rear, after being set on fire in Boston, Sunday, May 31, 2020, following a march and gathering to protest the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests turn violent A police car burns, left rear, after being set on fire in Boston, Sunday, May 31, 2020, following a march and gathering to protest the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Boston protests turn violent A police car burns, left rear, after being set on fire in Boston, Sunday, May 31, 2020, following a march and gathering to protest the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)