The US federal government denied Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's request for federal funding to rebuild and repair damaged property following the death of George Floyd.
The federal government denied a request from Minnesota's governor for funds to rebuild and repair fire damage from the unrest that followed George Floyd’s death https://t.co/z2sD2cwwWT
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 12, 2020
“The Governor is disappointed that the federal government declined his request for financial support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help Minnesota rebuild after civil unrest damaged public infrastructure and caused extensive fire damage in the wake of George Floyd’s death,” Teddy Tschann, Walz's spokesperson, said.
An initial assessment of the fire damage done in Minneapolis amid the riots added up to more than $15 million. Around 1,500 businesses were damaged as a result, according to CBS Minnesota.
Walz had requested that President Donal Trump declare a "major disaster" to FEMA due to the damage.
“As we navigate one of the most difficult periods in our state’s history, we look for support from our federal government to help us through” Tschann noted in a statement.
The total damage in the city of Minneapolis is estimated to hover around $500 million.
The city of Minneapolis was the first site of destruction and mayhem amid the death of Floyd, resulting in the death of at least one person. The riots spread over into St. Paul, with Ilhan Omar's daughter supporting the destructive efforts, which state officials attempted to pin on "white supremacists" without evidence.
