A business owner in California defended his liquor store during the weekend protests by standing out front with an AR-15 and other guns.
The owner of Broadway Wine & Spirits, identified as Joe by CBSLA, said he and a group of friends stood outside his store armed with guns while people protested in Santa Monica on Sunday.
“It was a good thing I had my customers and friends by my side because it was pretty scary,” he said.
CBSLA reported that people steered clear of attempting to loot his store when they saw the firearms. He and his friends defended other nearby businesses as well.
There were nearly 10 fires in Santa Monica on Sunday, and a grocery store was left bare by looters.
Protests have spread across the country since the death of George Floyd while he was in police custody on Memorial Day. Some demonstrations have turned violent, including rioting, looting, arson, property destruction, and clashes with law enforcement.
New York City has seen some of the worst riots, with people throwing Molotov cocktails at police cars and NYPD officers getting run over and assaulted.
Floyd’s family has called for people to end the violence and only protest peacefully to honor him.
“Do something positive. Stop making excuses,” Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd, said. “And that’s what I feel is going on: They’re using this as an excuse to be stupid.”
