MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.—Several credit unions in this city shut down their offices Friday and Saturday as the community braced for a sixth night of protests Sunday following the death of George Floyd during an arrest by the Minneapolis Police.
The National Guard has been activated in Minneapolis as well as several other cities across the country, including Atlanta, Los Angeles and Cincinnati, where protests have at times given way to violence as demonstrators react to the death of Floyd, who was African-American. The now former police officer who kept his knee on the neck of Floyd until after he died is white.
For credit unions here, ensuring the safety of members and employees is the priority and only compounds a situation already challenged by the coronavirus pandemic.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced the extension of a curfew for the Twin Cities. More than 5,000 National Guard troops were activated Saturday night in what Walz described as the "most complex public safety operation in the history of our state."
Firefly CU here stated on its website its location in Minneapolis has been shut down “until further notice.” City & County Credit Union listed on its Facebook page that all branch locations, lobbies and drive-ups are temporarily closed.
Affinity Plus FCU indicated on its Facebook site that its Nicollet Mall Office has been shut down until further notice, urging members to use its CU Locator to find another office nearby.
HiWay FCU reported on its Facebook site that “Due to unrest nearby, we are closing both our Empire and Ft. Snelling branches for the safety of our associates and members. We plan to reopen at 8 a.m. Monday. Our 24/7 call center and digital channels are available.
Please be safe.”