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Trump threatens to unleash 'serious force' on anti-racism protesters

Tuesday, 23 June 2020 6:30 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 23 June 2020 6:31 PM ]

A demonstrator waves a flag at Metro DC Police after he and others were removed from Lafayette Park for cleaning in Washington, DC, on June 23, 2020. (Photo by AFP)

US President Donald Trump has warned anti-racism protesters once again that he would unleash “serious force” against demonstrators who tried to damage monuments or made efforts to create an "autonomous zone" in the capital.

Trump also threatened to hand hefty prison sentences to the anti-racism protesters who took part in pro-justice mass demonstrations across the country.

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Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday saying he had authorized the Federal Government to “arrest any one” who was caught or found to have already caused damage to American monuments.

He threatened that if caught, a person faced up to 10 years in prison.

I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. with up to 10 years in prison, per the Veteran’s Memorial Preservation Act, or such other laws that may be pertinent.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020

“This action is taken effective immediately, but may also be used retroactively for destruction or vandalism already caused. There will be no exceptions,” he tweeted.

Protesters hold demo against police brutality prior to a political rally for President Donald Trump on June 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by AFP)

"Those who tried to topple the statue faced 10 years in prison under the Veterans Memorial Preservation Act," he wrote, adding, “Beware.”

The controversial US president also warned demonstrators that their efforts to create an “Autonomous Zone” in the capital would be “met with serious force.”

There will never be an “Autonomous Zone” in Washington, D.C., as long as I’m your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2020

“There will never be an ‘Autonomous Zone’ in Washington, DC, as long as I’m your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!,” Trump tweeted.

Trump's reference was to the police-free ‘Autonomous Zone’ created by the pro-justice demonstrators in Seattle, Washington.

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Trump has repeatedly threatened to intensify the fierce police crackdown on anti-racism protesters holding nationwide demonstrations following the unwarranted brutal police killing of George Floyd.

One American political commentator likened Trump's crackdown as unleashing "The Beast" on the pro-equality demonstrators and racial injustice protesters.