BOSTON — On Thursday, for the third time since the coronavirus pandemic broke out locally in March, Governor Charlie Baker has announced he will be activating up to 1,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard.
Baker has not specified why he is ordering the National Guard to be ready to assist municipalities if needed, but recent protests sparked by a decision on the Breonna Taylor’s case, specifically in Louisville, have turned violent. In efforts to mitigate any possible violence that may spark in the state, members of the National Guard will be ready to help local law enforcement.
In the summer when protests broke out across the country calling for justice for George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck as he pleaded for air, the National Guard was called in to assist state and local police in their response to the protests and riots. Similar measures were put in place following the death of Jacob Blake, a Black man seriously injured by Kenosha, WI, police.
[ Gov. Baker activates Massachusetts National Guard to help in COVID-19 response ]
“Governor Baker today signed an order activating up to 1,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard in the event that municipal leaders require assistance to protect opportunities to exercise first amendment rights and to maintain public safety during large scale events. National Guard personnel are deployed only at the request of, and in coordination with, the communities seeking support.”
— Executive Office of Public Safety and Security spokesperson
Earlier in the year, when the coronavirus pandemic was still in its early stages, Baker activated up to 2,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist in mitigating the effects of the global pandemic.
[ Gov. Baker activates 1,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard ]
Baker’s order allows the National Guard to activate up to 1,000 personnel, but that doesn’t necessarily reflect the number of personnel who could be deployed at any given time.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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