>>10202922
Clean and Swift. CV19 providing cover?
Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia have activated their National Guards, with nearly 80 localities implementing curfews in response to the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd.
The historic orders follow a weekend that saw protests erupt across dozens of U.S. cities. At least 9,300 people have been arrested as of Wednesday, according to The Associated Press.
"As of Thursday morning, a historic 75,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen were activated for domestic operations across the United States," the National Guard Bureau said in a press release Thursday.
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The number surpasses the 51,000 National Guard troops that were activated during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. By comparison, there are roughly 9,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in Afghanistan and 5,000 in Iraq.
Approximately 38,000 National Guard members are continuing to support the COVID-19 response efforts in all 50 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia, according to the release.