SC Gov. McMaster says National Guard ‘on alert’ if violent protests continue
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called for peaceful protests throughout the state on Sunday hours after protests turned to vandalism and destruction in Charleston and Columbia Saturday night, though he warned South Carolinians that the National Guard and law enforcement — from county to state level — are “on alert” to help should violent protests continue.
“We are experiencing bad behavior and some rioting as well as some heartfelt protests and heartfelt conversations and things that we welcome,” McMaster said Sunday. “There’s absolutely no excuse for that. We welcome conversation. We welcome protests. We welcome people speaking their mind, exercising their Constitutional right in this country … but also we do not tolerate lawlessness and violence and the destruction of property and harm to our people.”
The governor called for peaceful protests at the same time South Carolinians marched for the second day from the State House to the Columbia Police Department headquarters to protest the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis who died after a police officer knelt on his neck. A bystander’s cell phone video was able to catch most of the incident.
Derek Chauvin, the officer identified as the one who knelt on Floyd’s neck, has since been arrested and charged.
“Everyone ought to be angry with what happened in Minneapolis with George Floyd,” McMaster said.
In Columbia on Saturday, protesters marched down Main Street to the State House, singing “Amazing Grace,” before departing for the Columbia Police Department when bystanders said the mood of the day turned. Several police cars were set ablaze, smoke canisters were fired at protesters, windows at businesses were shattered and items inside taken and gun shots rang out.
In all, more than a dozen people were arrested and 15 officers were injured.
Echoing the governor on Sunday was U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, the only African American Republican in the U.S. Senate, who said he was angered and heartbroken by the Floyd video. Scott said he’s had conversations with President Donald Trump regarding his messaging and controversial tweets in recent days, saying it dilutes from the actual issues at hand.
“I had a good conversation with the president yesterday morning and just really encouraged him to focus on Mr. Floyd more than the protesters because, ultimately, I want to keep the main thing, which is the fact that, in my opinion, watching the video, Mr. Floyd was murdered,” Scott said. “We want to take that issue and keep the focus on that issue. And one of the best ways to do this for the president to tweet consistent with that.“
The outrage seen by protesters, Scott said, isn’t because of one death, adding that the president understands that, too.
“It’s a pattern that’s revealing itself again and again,” Scott said. “... Had it not been for the video, (the arrest) wouldn’t have happened. Had it not been for the video in Georgia, it wouldn’t have happened. Even though it happened, no one would have believed it.”
Also in attendance was South Carolina NAACP President Brenda Murphy, who said the state has been lucky compared to what’s being seen across the country. She also called for peaceful protests and denounced violence.
“Young people, use your voice. It’s okay,” she said. “But make sure you do it in the right way. State what your needs are, what your challenges are. But to be destructive and destroy property and riot is not the right way. We need to use that energy in such a manner that we can create change.”
This story was originally published May 31, 2020 at 1:53 PM with the headline "SC Gov. McMaster says National Guard ‘on alert’ if violent protests continue."
