The national guard was also deployed to Philadelphia in response to the Black Lives Matter protests in June.
Credit: Kylie CooperGov. Tom Wolf (D) deployed the Pennsylvania National Guard to Philadelphia to assist city police and protect property after protests over the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr. turned violent on Monday night.
Protests in West Philadelphia began shortly after two police officers fatally shot Wallace Jr. around 4 p.m. Wolf's office confirmed that the National Guard was en route to Philadelphia Tuesday evening. CBS Philly reported that several hundred National Guard members were mobilized.
Over 200 demonstrators marched through the streets on Tuesday night and reached Penn's campus at approximately 8:00 p.m. near 40th and Locust streets, marking the second night of protests.
Throughout Monday evening and into the early hours of Tuesday morning, over 100 demonstrators protested at various locations from 44th to 55th streets between Pine and Market streets. Protesters heaved trash cans and other large objects into the street in an attempt to impede police officers who trailed behind them. By 11:15 p.m., protests turned violent as police began attempting to arrest demonstrators who threw bricks at riot gear-clad officers.
Throughout the night, stores — including Qns Discount on 52nd and Sansom streets and CVS Pharmacy at 43rd and Locust streets — were looted. According to NBC10, officials previously said the National Guard's primary purpose would be to protect property if they were to be deployed.
The city previously called on the National Guard in early June amid protests over the police killing of George Floyd and ongoing violence against Black people.
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