Thread: New Mexico governor condemns vigilantes who instigated violence at demonstration

New Mexico governor condemns vigilantes who might have instigated violence at demonstration

By Joe Sutton and Hollie Silverman, CNN
Updated 12:11 PM ET, Tue June 16, 2020

(CNN)Vigilantes might have started the violence that led to a shooting in New Mexico during a demonstration on Monday authorities said, and the governor is vowing to hold the "instigators" fully accountable.

One man was hospitalized in critical condition and another man charged with aggravated battery, Albuquerque police said.

The shooting happened during a protest in the city's Old Town calling for the removal of a sculpture of a Spanish conquistador, officials said.

"I am horrified and disgusted beyond words," Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement on Twitter condemning the "heavily armed individuals who flaunted themselves at the protest, calling themselves a 'civil guard.' "

Michelle Lujan Grisham

✔@GovMLG


My statement on the “militia” and violence in Albuquerque tonight:


1,836
9:35 PM - Jun 15, 2020
Twitter Ads info and privacy

1,442 people are talking about this

"There is absolutely no space in New Mexico for any violent would-be 'militia' seeking to terrorize New Mexicans; and there is no space for violence of any kind on our streets and in our communities," her statement said.

"The instigators this evening will be rooted out, they will be investigated, and they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

Protests against police brutality in the US remained mostly peaceful Monday night, though demonstrations in two other states ended in chaos.

Police in Portland, Oregon, declared a civil disturbance and closed part of downtown, they said, after some protesters lit a fire, looted a store and injured an officer with a large rock.

In Tennessee, troopers detained 21 protesters who refused to vacate Capitol grounds, they said.

Video shows fight breaking out


Albuquerque police detain members of the New Mexico Civil Guard, an armed civilian group, on Monday.


The man who was shot at the Albuquerque demonstration was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital and is in critical but stable condition, authorities said.

Police arrested Stephen Ray Baca, 31, in connection with the shooting, according to a news release from Albuquerque police. Baca is facing charges of aggravated battery.

Social media video from the scene shows a fight breaking out before shots can be heard. Police used chemical irritants and flash bangs to protect officers at the scene near the Albuquerque National History Museum, a news release from the police department said.

The police chief said he believes vigilante groups might have spurred the violence.



Protests in Los Angeles cost LAPD $40 million in overtime expenses but officers won't be paid

"We are receiving reports about vigilante groups possibly instigating this violence. If this is true, we will be holding them accountable to the fullest extent of the law, including federal hate group designation and prosecution," Albuquerque Police Chief Michael Geier said in a news release.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said the shooting was a "tragic, outrageous and unacceptable act of violence," in a tweet.

"Our hearts go out the victim, his family and witnesses whose lives were needlessly threatened tonight," Keller said, adding that the sculpture that was the point of contention for protesters will be removed.

"This sculpture has now become an urgent matter of public safety," the mayor said of the statue of Juan de Oñate. "In order to contain the public safety risk, the City will be removing the statue until the appropriate civic institutions can determine next steps."

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/16/us/pr...day/index.html

Man shot during demonstration over conquistador statue in New Mexico

Vigilantes threaten to re-take Seattle's autonomous zone from activists

New Mexico DA sues 'vigilante' militia group with alleged ties to white supremacy