Today was a little more mellow at work, but media covering the protests are adding some tension, even at home.

I turned in before it got interesting, apparently. Well, there had already been looting going on, and large crowds causing small trouble.

This morning, news of buildings burned to the ground, a couple of Target stores broken into and looted, and a number of smaller fires around the city. An auto parts store and apartment building were burned to the ground. Much anti-establishment graffiti put on many buildings in the area.

News during the day again covered tense, but peaceful protests. Still some looting. After dark, though, much more mayhem is being reported.

The news yesterday was primarily in Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed, and where the identified police worked. Those police have been fired, and investigations are ongoing. There's some pretty damning video on the internet, which I'm sure makes everyone feel it's pretty clear. I'm not trying to defend the police, but internet videos aren't always enough. Care, especially if justice is truly to be served, needs to happen. It'd really suck if the video was as clear as it seems, and then a technicality sets them free.

Today, though, St Paul started the news, with another Target looted, and violent clashes with police. A restaurant and another auto parts store set ablaze. Rumors of Target stores closing started spreading. The governor called in the National Guard. A peaceful march through Downtown Minneapolis happened.

Work wasn't interrupted by protests, but the company did send out "civil unrest" alerts. The two looted stores were discussed, and much concern and supportive talks happened. The kids were either a little more unruly, or the work and news distractions made it harder to get parental involvement. They were little terrors from time to time, and bedtime was pretty active and full of delays.

Then, as we were watching some other television, we heard the police were vacating the police station at the center of the worst Minneapolis protest. Then the news showed the fires. The police station is on fire. There are other buildings and cars in the area on fire. Images of the Target store still being looted. News of many of the area's Target stores closing, even in my suburban area.

Throughout the discussion, of course, the pandemic is mentioned. Protesters are wearing masks, and in many cases, separated more than they might normally be in a protest. Speculation of the tension and stress of the pandemic isolation adding to the problems at the protests is bandied, as well.

Tomorrow will be a tough day.

Everyone's healthy.