The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    BLACKPINK Jennie's 'Solo' music video hits record high 900 mil. YouTube views

  • 3

    Japanese students' field trips to Korea resume after pandemic hiatus

  • 5

    Lotte desperate to win LVMH Chairman Arnault's heart

  • 7

    President Yoon refutes criticism of fence-mending summit with Japan

  • 9

    Apple Pay service starts in Korea

  • 11

    US report voices concerns over S. Korea's press freedom

  • 13

    Busan to have alternate no-driving days during Expo inspection

  • 15

    Shinhan, Woori shine in overseas business

  • 17

    Osstem Implant to invite 1,500 dentists from 22 countries for training

  • 19

    VIDEOMiracle rescue of 200 dogs caged for dog meat

  • 2

    Lee Se-young to lead MBC's new series 'The Story of Park's Marriage Contract'

  • 4

    Possibly next SOHO, Seoul selects 5 neighborhoods for new signature 'K-alleys'

  • 6

    Kakao criticized for half-baked AI chatbot

  • 8

    INTERVIEW'The Flag': Kwon Jin-ah's love letter to people chasing their dreams

  • 10

    Kwon Sang-woo's new series to stream on Disney+ this year

  • 12

    LVMH allegedly joins takeover bid to acquire Missha

  • 14

    Revenge rises as key theme in K-dramas

  • 16

    Korean firms balk at donating to fund compensating victims of Japan's forced labor

  • 18

    Korean startup Innospace announces successful test launch of space vehicle HANBIT-TLV

  • 20

    MZ generation-led unions flex muscle across board

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Thu, March 23, 2023 | 09:58
Pandemic forgotten in US amid riots
Posted : 2020-06-02 11:08
Updated : 2020-06-02 20:32
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
A protester raises a fist near a fire during a demonstration outside the White House over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police in Washington, DC, on May 31, 2020. (Photo by Samuel Corum / AFP)
A protester raises a fist near a fire during a demonstration outside the White House over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police in Washington, DC, on May 31, 2020. (Photo by Samuel Corum / AFP)

By Jane Han

SEATTLE ― Despite climbing infections and death tolls, coronavirus news has been pushed off headlines in the U.S. as the country grapples with mayhem, destruction and riots sparked by the death of another black person in police custody.

Peaceful protests turned violent in dozens of cities large and small across the nation with fires set ablaze on cars, small businesses and malls smashed into and robbed, and thousands arrested.

Up until a few short days ago, social distancing and reopening the economy were the biggest topics of debate. Now, it's all about ''Black Lives Matter.''

''People are angry, and rightfully so,'' said Nick Mayrose, 28, who participated in the protest in downtown Seattle, two days in a row.

''We're out there speaking out against the systemic racism that is so deeply rooted in our society that sometimes we don't even realize that we're being racist.''

The recent wave of protests was triggered across the U.S. after George Floyd, 46, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis, died after betting handcuffed and pinned to the ground with a police officer's knee pressed on his neck.

A viral video of the incident immediately sparked widespread outrage, pushing people out to the streets to protest since last week.

Expert warns of coronavirus spike in US after mass protests
Expert warns of coronavirus spike in US after mass protests
2020-06-03 09:23  |  Health & Science
Tensions in US rise after another day of broken glass, fires and looting
Tensions in US rise after another day of broken glass, fires and looting
2020-06-02 14:47  |  World
Trump declares he's president of law, order amid protests
Trump declares he's president of law, order amid protests
2020-06-02 09:48  |  World
A protester raises a fist near a fire during a demonstration outside the White House over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police in Washington, DC, on May 31, 2020. (Photo by Samuel Corum / AFP)
Police hold a perimeter near the White House as demonstrators gather to protest against the killing of George Floyd. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP)

Mayrose, who drove 30 minutes from the city's suburbs to take part in the rally, said he wore a face covering the entire three hours he was marching and rallying, but noticed plenty of people without a face covering.

''When you're out there pumped up with emotion and chanting in full force, a piece of cloth covering your mouth can seem like the most trivial thing,'' he said, adding that he planned to head out again for the third day.

Masking up may help, but health experts say law enforcement's use of pepper spray ― which causes heavy sneezing and coughing ― on protestors is one of many factors that could easily turn rallies into super-spreading events.

Such concerns have stopped certain groups from taking to the streets, but still many of the nightly demonstrations have pushed through and escalated beyond a peaceful gathering.

Thousands of people with a different agenda, who are being identified as ''outsiders,'' gang members, among other possibilities, have thrown bricks, rocks and other debris into store windows to break in and rob the premises.

In Portland, Oregon, looters broke into a Louis Vuitton boutique and stole tens and thousands of dollars worth of bags. Other major malls including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Macy's were looted nationwide.

To prevent further looting and damage, many cities have imposed a curfew of 6 p.m. or earlier although it is unclear whether it will be obeyed.

''It's like a perfect storm,'' said C. J. Clark, 32, a local mother who hopes to be rallying on the streets but remains home.

''People have been unwillingly confined to their homes for months, many are financially struggling, so much anger is building up, and now this,'' she said.

News about the pandemic has seemingly been put on the back burner, but the public in the U.S. makes a point that this is an issue that deserves immediate attention and solidarity.

''Everyone is just about tired of the coronavirus now; yes, it can be life-threatening, but racism is also life-threatening,'' said Peter Corrada, who is putting together a list of small businesses owned by people of color in his neighborhood, another suburb of Seattle, so the community can support them.


Emailjhan@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG Group
Top 10 Stories
1Korean firms balk at donating to fund compensating victims of Japan's forced laborKorean firms balk at donating to fund compensating victims of Japan's forced labor
2Sexual assaults by Korean diplomats continue despite zero-tolerance policy Sexual assaults by Korean diplomats continue despite zero-tolerance policy
3Main opposition leader indicted, faces calls to resignMain opposition leader indicted, faces calls to resign
4Consumers choose to travel abroad over purchasing luxury goods Consumers choose to travel abroad over purchasing luxury goods
5World water day World water day
6Outback Steakhouse sees sales soar as it opens stores in large shopping malls Outback Steakhouse sees sales soar as it opens stores in large shopping malls
7Samsung, SK avoid worst-case scenario as US 'guardrails' are less stringent than feared Samsung, SK avoid worst-case scenario as US 'guardrails' are less stringent than feared
8Korean pension fund hit by overseas banking crisis Korean pension fund hit by overseas banking crisis
9[INTERVIEW] Retired FSC chief finds inspiration exploring Koreans' ancestral roots INTERVIEWRetired FSC chief finds inspiration exploring Koreans' ancestral roots
10Campaign launched to promote equal treatment for multicultural families Campaign launched to promote equal treatment for multicultural families
Top 5 Entertainment News
1Lee Se-young to lead MBC's new series 'The Story of Park's Marriage Contract' Lee Se-young to lead MBC's new series 'The Story of Park's Marriage Contract'
2[INTERVIEW] 'The Flag': Kwon Jin-ah's love letter to people chasing their dreams INTERVIEW'The Flag': Kwon Jin-ah's love letter to people chasing their dreams
3Kwon Sang-woo's new series to stream on Disney+ this year Kwon Sang-woo's new series to stream on Disney+ this year
4Revenge rises as key theme in K-dramas Revenge rises as key theme in K-dramas
5From sky to deserted islands, two artists' documentation of nature adds surreal touch to reality From sky to deserted islands, two artists' documentation of nature adds surreal touch to reality
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group