Military helicopters used to disperse DC protesters

Low-flying military helicopters were deployed to disperse protesters in Washington, D.C., Monday evening amid another night of unrest related to protests over the police killing of George Floyd.

An aircraft tracker reported that two Lakota helicopters flew between 100 and 300 feet above the streets of the District. Others identified at least one of the aircraft as a Black Hawk army helicopter.

At least one of the helicopters, which had U.S. Army markings, was used to disperse people in the District’s Chinatown neighborhood near the Capital One Arena.

Videos also showed military helicopters flying over other parts of the city.

The military is using black hawk helicopters to dispersd in DC right now flying lower than building height of 12 stories pic.twitter.com/RMa9LIh8t4

— Anna (@anabananaaaah) June 2, 2020

Helicopter just flew extremely low over remaining protesters in D.C. Right after some knocked in a few shop windows and window of cop car.

Terrifying & impossible to keep eyes open — too much debris whipped around. People scattering in all directions. pic.twitter.com/Ww8y1mK0zg

— Hannah Natanson (@hannah_natanson) June 2, 2020

Helicopters flew right above buildings’ rooftops, kicking up dirt and debris toward demonstrators. The gusts created were strong enough to break tree branches, some social media accounts showed. 

Many watched the series “Waco” in recent months and were struck by how the gov’t used military helicopters, lights, sirens, etc. to terrorize their targets.

This happened last night in Washington, DC: pic.twitter.com/HtxmZEJhZy

— Rachel Blevins (@RachBlevins) June 2, 2020

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Hill. 

Earlier Monday evening, demonstrators near of the White House were dispersed by military personnel firing tear gas into the crowd of peaceful protesters before President Trump addressed the nation in the Rose Garden. 

After remarks in which he threatened to dispatch the U.S. military to restore order in some cities, Trump walked on foot to the nearby historic St. John’s Church and posed for photos.

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) instituted a citywide 7 p.m. curfew on Monday following outbreaks of violent demonstrations across the capital the night before. The same curfew remains in effect for Tuesday evening. 

Monday’s protests marked a fourth day of unrest in the District following the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man who died last week in Minneapolis police custody after an officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. 

The officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers were fired but have not been charged.

Updated at 9:55 a.m.