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The tragic death of 46-year-old black man George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin last week has sparked several peaceful protests and violent riots across many major cities in the United States. UFC fighter Jon Jones has spoken out in support of the protests, but he’s not down with vandals and looters tearing down his city.
On Sunday, the peaceful protests in Albuquerque, New Mexico devolved into looting and violence late into the night.
Protests devolved into violence after midnight on Central in #Albuquerque. A fire was set in the intersection of 3rd and Central, and windows were busted out at Filling Philly’s, Jimmy Johns, and other businesses. @KOB4 pic.twitter.com/Q8Vo4vsyyR
— Willow Bryn Locke (@505Will) June 1, 2020
Police are in full riot gear in downtown ABQ. Vandals are breaking windows. All this after a peaceful protest earlier pic.twitter.com/NnHeX7YSXU
— Mundo Carrillo (@mundocarrillo) June 1, 2020
Jones apparently decided to take it upon himself to protect his city and went out and confronted vandals walking around with spray cans.
Jon Jones protecting Albuquerque from rioters and vandals.
Good on him. We need more influential people to rein in those looking to destroy.
Can you imagine how terrified the guys were when he said give me the spray can? #UFC pic.twitter.com/dCUCCWiLr2
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) June 1, 2020
Jones would later call the vandals “punk-ass teenagers” and urged people to call their young family members to dissuade them from going out to loot and riot.
Is this shit even about George Floyd anymore?!? Why the fuck are you punk ass teenagers destroying our cities!?? 🤬🤬 As a young black man trust me I’m frustrated as well but this is not the way, we are starting to make a bad situation worse. If you really got love for your city (505), protect your shit. All you old heads need to speak up, call your young family members and tell them to come home tonight.