North Hennepin News

State Sen. Paul Anderson said while the pain, anger and frustration surrounding the death of George Floyd is warranted, there is no justification behind looting and rioting.

Anderson wrote a letter to his constituents expressing heartache over the passing of Floyd, as well as condemning how parts of Minneapolis and St. Paul resembled war zones after the protests in response to his passing while in Minneapolis police custody.

The senator said that his brother’s two businesses were vandalized.

“Plans to protect our citizens and properties have to be fully executed now and the criminal behavior stopped, and those responsible held accountable,” he said in the correspondence published on the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus’ website. “The failures of the past few days to do so will be reflected on for years to come. For today, leadership must step up and do the right thing. No more excuses or blaming others.”