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Protest escalates in Lansing, tear gas fired

May 31, 2020
A car was set on fire during a protest in Lansing, Michigan. Prior, the owner of the vehicle was taken into custody after driving through a crowd of people.
A car was set on fire during a protest in Lansing, Michigan. Prior, the owner of the vehicle was taken into custody after driving through a crowd of people.

Shortly after protesters left East Lansing and headed back to the Michigan Capitol, things began to escalate quickly. A curfew was enacted in the City of Lansing from 9 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday.

Amid widespread protests across the country, a peaceful protest against police brutality was held on Sunday morning in Lansing. These protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis after a police officer pressed his knee into his neck.

Throughout the day, the protest moved to the East Lansing area. After it began making its way back to Lansing, multiple arrests were made and

A woman was taken into custody on Washington Avenue, people at the protest witnessed her driving through crowds. Once taken away by police, protesters flipped, destroyed and set fire to the woman's car.

Lansing Police Chief Daryl Green said they "cannot confirm the female hit anyone with a car," according to the Lansing State Journal. They also reported no arrest was made.

After the car was set on fire, police officers in riot gear decended into Downtown Lansing and tear gas was released in the traffic circle in front of the Capitol.

Crowds began to disperse after tear gas was used, and eventually the group returned to the steps of the Capitol.

Around 8 p.m., another round of tear gas was released near the front of the Capitol and police returned in riot suits. While the tear gas was being let out, it was reported by the Lansing State Journal that protesters began throwing things at the police. There has been a constant flow of tear gas since.

Lansing issued a traffic alert to avoid the downtown area, noting that road closures are moving continuously. Westbound 1496 has been closed specifically between Martin Luther King Boulevard and US127 in Lansing.

Editor's note: This article was updated at 10:01 p.m. to include that the driver of the car was not arrested by the Lansing Police Department, as reported by the Lansing State Journal, as well as updated curfew information.

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