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Calif. EMT helps clean up after night of riots

EMT Nelson Kudilil, 21, was one of a volunteer crew that helped sweep debris after protests and riots in Oakland

By Laura French

OAKLAND, Calif. — Following riots in a California city Friday night over the death of George Floyd, a young EMT joined the cleanup efforts after working his shift.

EMT Nelson Kudilil, 21, swept glass and other debris from the sidewalk in Oakland early Saturday morning after working Friday night, according to The Mercury News.

Kudilil, who lives in Oakland, swept up the glass from damaged and looted buildings to keep his neighbors safe, noting that many people walk down that sidewalk and he and his dog take walks past the damaged stores often.

Several businesses had their windows smashed and buildings vandalized and looted during the overnight riots, and several small fires were also reported throughout the city. Volunteer cleanup crews armed with brooms and power washers worked to remove debris from the streets and wash away graffiti Saturday morning.

Volunteers said the cleanup efforts were a mixture of sympathy for local business owners and civic pride as members of the Oakland community.

Protests and riots broke out in Oakland and other cities last week and into the weekend over the death of Floyd in police custody, after which four Minneapolis officers were fired and one, who knelt on Floyd’s neck, was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

“It’s totally validated anger,” Kudilil told The Mercury News, about the protests reacting to Floyd’s death.

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