Richmond Police apologize to peaceful protestors for tear gas; explain what happened

[underpants]

RICHMOND, Va. -- Thousands of peaceful protesters marched from downtown Richmond to Monument Avenue on Monday night. It was the fourth straight night of protests speaking out against George Floyd's death and displays of police brutality towards African Americans across the country.

"To our peaceful protestors: We are sorry we had to deploy gas near the Lee Monument," Richmond Police tweeted. "Some RPD officers in that area were cut off by violent protestors. The gas was necessary to get them to safety

This is a developing story.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/richmond-police-apologize-to-peaceful-protestors-for-tear-gas-explain-why-it-happened


Richmond officers to be disciplined after deploying tear gas on peaceful protesters

https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Tear-gas-deployed-on-protesters-on-Monument-Avenue-570941971.html

[PunkinPi]

1. "Some RPD officers in that area were cut off by violent protestors."

Link to tweet

[Miguelito Loveless]

2. Why do I know this is a lie?

[underpants]

3. Wow. I hadn't seen that.

Thanks. Cut off, my ass.

[PunkinPi]

6. No worries, underpants.

My comment wasn't directed at you, it was the quote from the RPD which appears to be demonstrably false vis-a-vis the video.

[underpants]

9. No no no

I was agreeing with you. That’s a completely different angle from the ones used by the local media. That made the RPD’s initial claim totally ridiculous.

[PunkinPi]

10. Thanks, I think this is a case of not enough sleep or coffee on my part.

I didn't want you to think I was WTFing at you. I hadn't seen any other videos and this one came up in my Twitter feed this morning as I happened upon your OP.

[Mariana]

4. If the gas was "necessary" why would they discipline the officers who did it?

Bullshit bullshit bullshit bullshit bullshit.

[LizBeth]

15. +1

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. "Had to."

[Goodheart]

7. We live right close to Monument Avenue and its racist statues

No surprise that they were bombed with graffiti.

The Lee statue in particular is breathtakingly arrogant. Beautiful sculpture, awful message. The Jefferson Davis monument is gaudy and atrociously disingenuous.

Also, the Daughters of the Confederacy headquarters on Arthur Ashe Blvd. (formerly Boulevard) was burned badly.

All these monuments to treason will have to be torn down or Richmond will suffer this same damage over and over again. Pity that they're still up, because if Monument Ave. is not America's most handsome street than it's pretty damn close to it. Imagine monuments to REAL Americans!

[underpants]

11. We used to live with in walking distance of Monument

We took the round trip on Sunday - Monument to the Dominion building rubble downtown then up Broad. Jackson Lee and Stuart were the covered. They must have had full reign on Saturday night. Usually someone has a few seconds in the middle of the night but not this time. Yes the Davis one is an ugly mess just in the design.

Broad from about Foushee to Belvedere is a plywood jungle. Lots of activity Sunday preparing and protecting.

Ok. The UDC. I’d forgotten that they still had a building there. I heard from a co-worker who walked by there Sunday that someone who was there is claiming $100M yes million in damages. Artifacts. Frankly the UDC is one of the last remaining direct connections to the dark period that got us the Monuments. The SCV too. Someone knew what they were doing going after the UDC. I’m surprised the SCV’s White House downtown has gone unscathed.

[Goodheart]

14. I'm trying to remember the inscription on the Jefferson Davis Monument

"Not for the want of slavery and oppression but a want for freedom" or some bullshit like that.

Anyway, it's a lot more colorful today. Ordinarily I'm opposed to vandalism, but those statues deserve it.

[stillcool]

8. True to form

always the cover-up.

[PCIntern]

12. Cut off?? Really? Completely?

I know a good plastic surgeon Who can sew it back on.

It’s like a Monty python joke

[MagickMuffin]

13. Looks like the whole Squad of Enforcers will have to be "disciplined"

It was hard to tell how many enforcers there were, but it was a mess of 'em.