The 2020 George Floyd riots in St. Paul, Minnesota, left a lasting impact on many business owners, including Long Her, the owner of New Fashion Tailoring and Alteration. Her, a Hmong immigrant, watched helplessly as his establishment was destroyed during the chaos that ensued. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Her shared his harrowing experience and shed light on the failures of the state, led by Governor Tim Walz, to protect business owners like him.
On the night of the riots, Her and his friend decided to leave the shop and go home for safety. Little did he know that the destruction would not be contained to the other side of the street. The next morning, Her returned to his store only to find it ransacked and destroyed. The rioters had broken down his reinforced door and stolen all the inventory, amounting to a loss of $200,000.
Despite reaching out to the police multiple times, Her received no response. He expressed disappointment in Governor Tim Walz’s delayed response in calling in the National Guard to quell the riots. Her emphasized the need for leaders to prioritize the safety and protection of citizens and businesses in times of crisis.
The aftermath of the riots had a lasting impact on Her’s business, taking nearly two years for him to financially recover. The fear instilled in the community led to a decline in customers, further exacerbating the challenges faced by business owners in the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Her highlighted the need for increased police presence to ensure the safety of businesses and residents in the area.
Minneapolis, known for being at the forefront of the defund the police movement, has seen a significant decrease in police officers over the years. Her stressed the importance of a nonpartisan approach to public safety, calling for more police officers to be deployed to protect citizens and businesses alike.
Looking towards the future, Her expressed concerns about the possibility of a similar situation occurring again. He emphasized the importance of being prepared and having measures in place to prevent such devastation from happening in the future. Her called on elected officials to prioritize the safety and security of the community to avoid a repeat of the events that unfolded in 2020.
In conclusion, Long Her’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of the 2020 George Floyd riots on small business owners in St. Paul, Minnesota. His experience sheds light on the challenges faced by those who were affected and underscores the need for proactive measures to protect businesses and communities in times of crisis.