Minneapolis Riots and Media Reactions
On Wednesday night, Abby Phillip, host of “CNN Newsnight,” noted that former officials from the Biden administration claimed the Minneapolis riots were “peaceful protests.”
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security shared on X that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot and killed a Venezuelan immigrant during an ambush. Former Biden aide, Daniel Coe, maintained that the Minneapolis street response was “peaceful,” despite Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara’s dissent, indicating the crowd was engaged in “illegal activities.”
“Sounds like an insurrection, right?” questioned Kumele Foster during a conversation with Seattle radio host Jason Lantz, who replied, “I’m here answering the question. Don’t you think they’re showing up because they want to do damage?”
Koh asserted that the protests were in response to a woman being shot in the face, arguing their peaceful nature.
Phillip refrained from contradicting Coe, even when CNN reporter Whitney Wilde mentioned earlier in the broadcast that she had difficulty breathing due to tear gas and flashbangs.
Wilde reported, “We’re near 23rd and Lindale. Not exactly, but a few blocks away. I’m sorry. They fired a few flashbangs and multiple tear gas canisters fell around us, so it was a little difficult to breathe. At one point the fog got so bad that producer Meredith Edwards and I got separated from cameraman Jonathan Shearer.”
Phillip advised Wilde to stay safe while relocating.
The network faced criticism for previously describing the riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as “violent but largely peaceful” after the shooting of Jacob Blake. Phillip interrupted Republican strategist Brad Todd as he suggested options for peaceful protests.
“We’ve had a lot of people in this country in the midst of all forms of protest for a long time. We’ve seen protests in this country that go beyond just letters to the editor,” Phillip stated. “If you look at the history of this country, there have been peaceful, legitimate protests where people have risked their lives and limbs. They’ve left their homes, they’ve done things that the authorities say are illegal.”
Todd countered, saying, “First of all, you can’t interfere with federal law enforcement operations, and if interfering with those operations results in someone committing a crime and fleeing, that’s a violation of Minnesota law,” following several exchanges with Phillip.
