Gov. Hutchinson: Protest ‘understandable;’ but violence, destruction of property “not acceptable”

Arkansas – From the Arkansas state capitol conference room, Governor Asa Hutchinson held a news conference Monday afternoon to discuss the weekend protests in Arkansas and across the nation in response to the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

Hutchinson said protests across the state are understandable, but warned that violence and destruction of property are “not acceptable.”

Protests were held in Little Rock, Conway, Jonesboro, and other cities over the weekend.

Demonstrations in Little Rock came to an end with authorities deploying tear gas. Only minor property damage was reported.

A demonstration in Conway Sunday also ended with authorities deploying tear gas. There were multiple arrests.

Hutchinson has called Floyd’s death “senseless,” and said he and other governors had spoken to President Donald Trump about limiting violence and property damage from the protests.