not clear who was shooting here - a patriot trying to defend the statue or a libtard seditionist trying to erase regional history - but something to keep our eyes on.
Man shot as New Mexico protesters try to remove Spanish conquistador statue
A man was shot on Monday night as protesters in New Mexico’s largest city tried to tear down a bronze statue of a Spanish conquistador outside the Albuquerque Museum, prompting the city to announce that the statue would be removed until officials determine the next steps.
The man was in a critical but stable condition, police said.
A confrontation erupted between protesters and a group of armed men who were trying to protect the statue of Juan de Oñate before protesters wrapped a chain around it and began tugging on it while chanting: “Tear it down.” One protester repeatedly swung a pickaxe at the base of the statue.
Moments later, gunshots could be heard down the street.
Albuquerque police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said police used teargas and flash bangs to protect the officers who intervened and detained those involved in the shooting. He said they were disarmed and taken into custody for questioning. He said detectives were investigating with the help of the FBI.
“The shooting tonight was a tragic, outrageous and unacceptable act of violence and it has no place in our city,” the mayor, Tim Keller, said in a statement. “Our diverse community will not be deterred by acts meant to divide or silence us. Our hearts go out to the victim, his family and witnesses whose lives were needlessly threatened tonight. This sculpture has now become an urgent matter of public safety.”
The Democrat governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, issued a statement in which she took aim at the armed individuals, saying they were there to menace protesters. She said no matter who strikes first, there would be no room in New Mexico for any sort of escalation of what she called “reckless, violent rhetoric”.
The violence came just hours after activists in northern New Mexico celebrated the removal of another likeness of Oñate that was on public display at a cultural centre in the community of Alcalde.
sauce
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/16/man-shot-as-new-mexico-protesters-try-to-remove-spanish-conquistador-statue-juan-de-onate