In an interview conducted in 2020, the spouse of the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz, Gwen Walz, revealed her habit of leaving the windows open during the Minneapolis riots, initiated by George Floyd’s demise, to absorb the scent of the burning tires set alight by protesters. The unrest in cities like Minneapolis during 2020 led to significant financial losses, with damages running into the hundreds of millions.
Facing criticism from some quarters for not promptly addressing the riot-induced chaos, Governor Tim Walz found his administration under scrutiny. In a conversation with an affiliate of ABC News back in July 2020, Gwen Walz shared personal insights into their experiences, stating, “The burning tires’ smell provided a tangible connection to the upheaval unfolding outside our windows, making it hard to close them or try and shut it all out.”
The remarks made by Gwen Walz have sparked widespread attention following VP Kamala Harris’s announcement selecting Walz as her running mate. Critiques of Walz’s response to the 2020 riots highlighted these comments as indicative of a wider issue. Matt Walsh of Daily Wire particularly emphasized this point, suggesting that Gwen Walz’s actions and comments shed light on the detachment of certain elite figures from the realities faced by communities in distress, likening her to an observer rather than a participant in the unfolding crisis.
Tim Walz himself acknowledged shortcomings in handling the riot situation in early 2020. During a press briefing, he lamented the state’s inability to effectively manage the crisis, indicating, “The reality of the situation was brought home to me in a call from a state senator whose district was caught in the throes of the violence, with her constituents left feeling vulnerable and abandoned.”
This acceptance of failure and the vivid descriptions provided by the Walzes offer a window into the challenges and complexities of governing during times of widespread social unrest.
