Minneapolis Mayor Frey: ‘Brick and mortar is not as important as life’

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey held a press conference early Friday morning at City Hall.

Around 1:30 a.m., Frey addressed a city that is enduring escalating protests that have lasted for the past three days in response to the death of George Floyd. Four Minneapolis Police officers were fired in the incident that happened Monday night.

Thursday night’s protests accelerated in violence in comparison to the previous two, with the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct set on fire, where all the fired officers were from.

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During his address to media, Frey reflected on the bigger meaning of the protests.

"Brick and mortar are not as important as life," he said. "The symbolism of a building cannot outweigh the significance of life."

Frey said that "we are going to be united as a city," and added that he was the one who made the decision to have officers withdraw from the 3rd Precinct building. He noted the danger to both the officers inside the building as well as the protesters.

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Frey also spoke on tweets that President Donald Trump posted earlier on in which he called Frey a "very weak Radical Left Mayor" and said he would send the National Guard in to "get the job done right."

"Weakness is pointing the finger at someone else during a time of crisis. Donald J. Trump knows nothing about the strength of Minneapolis. We are strong as hell, and you better be damn sure we’re going to get through this," Frey said, with a pounded fist on the podium.