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Tear gas, rubber bullets fired at protesters in Columbia


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COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) -- Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters near the police station on Sunday.

It part of the police's effort to move the protesters away from the police station as people flocked to downtown Columbia to protest the death of George Floyd.

The incident was sparked after water bottles were thrown at police.

Protesters gathered at the statehouse Sunday morning carrying signs and chanting to end police brutality and bring justice to those effected by it.

WACH Reporter Shante Sumpter spoke to a protester about the violence of yesterday's protests.

After a few hours of being at the statehouse, some protesters tried to make their way to the Columbia Police Department. Those people were met by a wall of police officers that blocked the roadway in front of police headquarters.

Officers formed a perimeter and told protesters to move back and used tear gas to push them back. According to WACH Reporter Mike Uva, organizations were waiting to give water and first aid to people protesting. One member said, "We are here with you in this fight."

After being met by tear gas and being pushed out of the area around police headquarters, protesters made their way back down to the statehouse. Around 5 p.m. protesters chanted "take a knee" to officers who were guarding. Afterward the mood changed and police launched another round of tear gas at protesters, which they threw back.


Water bottles were also thrown at police officers. Protesters then scattered after being shot at with rubber bullets.

Mayor Steve Benjamin announced Saturday that a curfew was in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday until Monday, June 1 at 6 a.m. Originally the curfew applied to the downtown and Vista areas; today it was made to include Five Points.

At 6 p.m. Sunday, police began to enforce the curfew. One person was arrested for no adhering to that curfew.

The police will continue to enforce the 6 p.m. curfew. WACH Reporter Mike Uva said that the mood was more calm around the statehouse after a day of mostly peaceful protests.

An incident happened at the Publix on Gervais Street, authorities said a man pulled a gun on an employee and fled. Police were searching the area for the man but said the incident was not related to the protests.






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