Mon, Sep 25th, 2023 - 9:41pm
June 03, 2020 - 2:31pm | By Chris Larson
Governor Doug Burgum says last Friday’s rioters in Fargo were much different than the peaceful protests that had gone during the day. As night fell, rioters took over in Fargo, causing devastation to businesses downtown Fargo, but, luckily, no one was seriously injured, and no lives were lost in a situation that turned quickly.
“We know that the people that were helping organize and form the illegal activity were people that had scouts on rooftops, two-way walkie talkies and that they were organizing people in the crowd,” Burgum said. The governor said he had a chance to visit with those on the front lines shortly after 2 a.m. in downtown Fargo. He says the rioters are not out to attack the general public, but rather to attack the police themselves.
“They’re trying to get a reaction from law enforcement,” Burgum said.
While a majority of the protesters were exercising their right of free speech, the group was trying to “co-op that attempt.”
Burgum says he had heard of license plates that had been stolen off of car lots in Fargo.
He also says the state has to be ready, in the event the type of event happens again.
“If it comes back, we have to be even smarter,” Burgum said. When asked about limiting the protesters during a pandemic like COVID-19, he said it is “very challenging” when it comes to free speech and freedom of assembly.
