On Monday, Governor Charlie Baker authorized the Massachusetts National Guard to end the activation order he previously issued on Aug. 28.
“Following coordination with municipal leaders through the weekend regarding potential large scale demonstrations, Governor Baker today authorized the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard to end the Governor’s Aug. 28 activation order. That activation, which made Guard personnel available in the event that municipal leaders required their assistance, will end at midnight tonight.”
— Governor Charlie Baker
On Friday, Baker announced he was activating up to 1,000 members of the National Guard to assist cities and towns “until further order of the Adjutant General.”
During a weekend where protests were set to happen both on Saturday and Sunday, National Guard members were ready to assist should local law enforcement require backup.
National Guard personnel were ready to assist cities and towns throughout the activation but did not take an active role in any municipal operations,” a news release said.
[ Gov. Baker activates 1,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard ]
Earlier in the year, when the coronavirus pandemic was still in its early stages, Baker activated up to 2,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist in mitigating the effects of the global pandemic.
For their response in the pandemic, the National Guard helped perform COVID-19 testing, deliver food to residents and secure medical facilities. Some members have also aided in tornado, blizzard and other severe weather responses in Massachusetts.
In light of the death of George Floyd earlier in the summer, protests broke out nationally and, locally, many demonstrations turned violent. Shortly after the first protests turned into riots and people began looting businesses, National Guard members who had been activated to aid in the COVID-19 response were ready to assist police in their response to the demonstrations.
In Boston, members of the National Guard were seen patrolling the streets downtown to prevent people from rioting and looting businesses.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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