The FBI is looking for the violent instigators that disrupted peaceful protests in Miami

DORAL, FL – Protests over George Floyd’s death in Miami were disrupted by violent instigators over the past weekend. Now, the FBI wants to arrest them.

In a press release sent Tuesday afternoon, the FBI requested the public’s assistance to identify the individuals that committed acts of vandalism by destroying vehicles and looting businesses in Miami, some of which opened just recently due to COVID-19.

Anyone who has information, photos or videos regarding the violent instigators is encouraged to share them by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or visiting fbi.gov/violence.

On Saturday, five stores were looted at Bayside Mall, while at Wynwood several expensive bikes were stolen from a bike shop. Burglars used a van to take the articles outside of the store. 

“The continued violence, potential threat to life, and destruction of property across the United States interferes with the rights and safety of First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrators, as well as all other citizens,” FBI officials said.

The FBI reported that it respects the right of people to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights, however clarifies that their “mission to protect the American people and defend the Constitution is dual and simultaneous, not contradictory.”

This message comes amid protests held on a national level following the murder of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, who pressed Floyd’s knee against his neck for almost nine minutes ignoring his words ‘I can’t breathe’. 

After the video footage showing the incident was widespread, protests began taking place in Minneapolis where people claimed social justice and equality for the black community that has been long discriminated.  

But what started as a peaceful protest held locally soon became massive when it was extended to most cities across the country. Most of them experienced acts of vandalism perpetuated by violent instigators, while many people continued protesting in a peaceful and constructive manner. 

The Washington Post reported that black demonstrators have struggled to maintain order in some cities where young white men joined marches seemingly intent on creating chaos.

“It is striking how many of the people who were doing the looting and stealing and fires over the weekend were young white males,” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan told The Washington Post.