The violent protestors who looted and burned down businesses during the George Floyd riots have only worsened the struggles of inner-city African-Americans. After law and order have been restored, many businesses are leaving areas where Democrats are determined to disband and defund police departments.
Nine members of the Minneapolis city council, including one with ties to Antifa, have formed a super-majority and plan to force the permanent disbanding of the police department. Upwards of 1,000 commercial properties were damaged or set on fire during the George Floyd riots in that city alone. Approximately 52 were destroyed beyond repair and estimates of at least $500 million in damage have been reported, so far. Among them was 7-Sigma, “a successful designer, manufacturer and supplier of high-performance polymer and metal components and assemblies for the printing, medical, aerospace, and industrial markets,” according to the company’s website.
The manufacturing outfit employs 50 residents in good-paying full-time positions. During the riots, the facility was set ablaze and city officials did zero to put out the fire.
“The fire engine was just sitting there, but they wouldn’t do anything,” NASA scientist and 7-Sigma president Kris Wyrobek reportedly said. “They don’t care about my business. They didn’t protect our people. We were all on our own.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey fanned the flames of discontent with early media interviews denouncing the police even before a review of George Floyd’s death was completed. The Democrat mayor certainly made African-Americans believe that the excessive-force death would not result in an arrest. The mayor helped spark civil unrest and then failed to bring in National Guard reinforcements when violence escalated beyond the capabilities of local law enforcement. Although the mayor has been quoted as an advocate of National Guard support, it was Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz who mobilized troops, calling Frey’s response and “abject failure.”
The timing of the business destruction in Democrat-run cities could not come at a worse time. Many have been forced to temporarily close due to the COVID-19 surge. Although buoyed by a stimulus package, the financial losses from property damage are likely to cause widespread bankruptcies and job losses in ravaged cities. The Trump economy had just delivered 50-year low unemployment and the lowest rate for African-Americans in history. Failure to protect businesses will hamstring working families from enjoying the benefits of economic prosperity and opportunity.
“My business burned down two days ago. You see the flames? It’s still going,” Brandy Moore, an African-American retail clothing store owner in Minneapolis, reportedly said.
Jim Segal of Ax-Man Surplus reportedly hid behind a steel door in his office as looters pillaged his store in broad daylight.
“I don’t think they knew anybody was in there, but I basically barricaded myself within a bathroom inside the office,” Segal reportedly said. “Police said: ‘Don’t even bother boarding up your store. There’s a 50/50 chance it won’t be here tomorrow.’”
Business owners have begun GoFundMe efforts to get enough money to rebuild. Some are hopeful they can restart in safer Minneapolis neighborhoods. Many, such as 7-Sigma, have already gone on the record stating they have no intention of remaining in lawless Democrat-run cities.
