US Racists ‘Starting Riot Fires'

Black groups tell of fears as American cities go up in flames

- Chris Bucktin

Many of the riots sending US cities up in flames are feared to have been sparked and fuelled by white provocateurs, according to reports.

The death of 46-year-old black man George Floyd in Minneapolis, after a white police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck for nine minutes, has ignited a powder keg in the nation.

The anger of the black community, rocked by more horrific police brutality after cases like Michael Brown and Rodney King, is understandable.

Protests have been held in at least 75 cities as peaceful marchers call for justice and police reform.

But racist and white supremacist groups are believed to be hijacking events to push their own vile agendas.

And the role outsiders are playing in the protests descending into orgies of violence has not gone unnoticed by the black community.

Jimmie Perry, 26, said he almost came to blows with white people he watched torch a booze store in Minneapolis.

He said: “We are being exploited. I’ve walked shoulder to shoulder with blacks and whites in solidarity to try to bring about change. They are good people.

“But increasingly we see a lot of white folk – agitators and instigators – hijacking our movement.”

Minnesota governor Tim Walz said he suspects white supremacist groups and drug cartels are behind some of the violence in Minneapolis – but he could not confirm it.

Asked if he was aware of rumours that racist groups had joined lootings, he said based on “my suspicions and what I’ve seen on this, yes”.

Walz said he is working with the government to collect intelligence on who is driving the carnage and whether they belong to organised groups.