The violence in downtown Columbia was senseless. The response to it was inspiring.

In the days since George Floyd was choked by a Minneapolis police officer who knelt on the handcuffed African American man’s neck as he begged for air, the nationwide outrage over his death has made an impact when it’s been passionate yet constructive.

Make no mistake: the reason why Derek Chauvin, the police officer involved in Floyd’s death, has been arrested and charged with murder is because of the chorus of voices that have forcefully — but peacefully — demanded justice.

But what took place in downtown Columbia during a Saturday protest over Floyd’s death wasn’t productive, dignified or meaningful in any way. It was simply destructive, disheartening and senseless in every way.

The violence during an afternoon protest in front of the Columbia Police Department’s headquarters led to four police officers being injured, several arrests, considerable property damage and Mayor Steve Benjamin declaring a state of emergency and a citywide curfew effective until Monday morning.

The destruction wasn’t fueled by a noble desire to seek accountability for George Floyd’s death; it was driven by a noxious aim to sow division under the guise of condemning how George Floyd died.

It did nothing at all to advance a cause — and immeasurably much to undermine it.

What’s particularly galling about Saturday’s chaos outside the Columbia Police Department — and on our downtown streets — is that it came shortly after another protest regarding Floyd’s death was held in calm and measured fashion in front of the State House.

It was that protest — purposeful, constructive and well-attended — that clearly reflected the real Columbia. But that vision of our city was no doubt obscured by the scenes of lawlessness that later occurred several blocks away.

And that was infuriating and outrageous.

What was inspiring, however, was the display of leadership shown by Benjamin, Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and City Manager Teresa Wilson in swiftly condemning the violence, demanding that protesters leave the scene and quelling any possibility of things becoming worse.

Their unified voice and focused plan of action served Columbia well during some tense hours.

The actions that took place downtown Saturday in the name of George Floyd had nothing to do with fighting for what is right.

But the decisive actions of our community’s leaders in bringing the anarchy to an end were fully representative of what is right about Columbia.

This story was originally published May 31, 2020 at 8:52 AM.