While many in the liberal media were treating looters and rioters as though they were a mysterious group of unidentifiable people, CBS correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti approached a store in Santa Monica, California on Monday and called out someone carrying “Black Lives Matter” sign while they stole merchandise. He even chased after a group who stole some surfboards and pressed them on their affiliation with the organization.
Vigliotti began his CBS Evening News report by noting that Santa Monica was “the site of some of the worst looting in America,” and that he and his crew were “firsthand” witnesses.
“This is a sushi store here. You can see the chairs were thrown around, even the computers ripped off. And here we have a jewelry store,” he said while going from shop to shop pointing out the chaos. He and his crew eventually came across a Patagonia clothing store in the process of being robbed.
Peering inside, Vigliotti spotted a black woman holding a sign that read “Black Lives Matter” and trying to hide her face. “What you're seeing is people of all ages, all backgrounds helping themselves, using Black Lives Matter as the reason. It is throughout Santa Monica,” he said.
The video immediately cut to a clip of him chasing after some people who had just robbed some surfboards and were making their getaway on a motorcycle. “So, wait! Guys, why are you doing this are you part of Black Lives Matter, or are you just surfers? What's the deal, guys,” he asked in a knowing tone.
After noting that local police had discovered that 95 percent of their 400 arrests were people from out of town, Vigliotti shared the story of an optometry office that was gutted by rioters:
The National Guard helped control the crowds. There was also common ground. But it can't undo the damage done. Dr. Alice Sun and [Dr.] Daniel Sjoland run Sunny Optometry, the couple saw their business ransacked on the eve of finally reopening their doors. COVID had kept their patients away for nearly three months.
“Never in a million years did we think it would happen to us,” Dr. Sun told him. Heartbreakingly, Dr. Sjoland added: “My life savings was in here that just got destroyed.”
On the website for Sunny Optometry, they were pleading for help to rebuild their practice via a gofundme campaign. “Santa Monica rioters on May, 31st, 2020 have looted and destroyed our team’s life work, and set fire to the building in which operate. We regretfully must inform all patients our office in closed until further notice, and urge all guests to stay safe at home until Santa Monica is safe again,” they wrote.
In wrapping up his segment, Vigliotti told anchor Norah O’Donnell: “Tonight, across L.A., stores are boarding up their windows ahead of more protests. The National Guard sending in 2,000 troops for protection.”
We’ll see how that turns out.
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
CBS Evening News
June 1, 2020
6:36:18 p.m. EasternJONATHAN VIGLIOTTI: I'm Jonathan Vigliotti in Southern California, the site of some of the worst looting in America. We saw it firsthand in Santa Monica.
This is a sushi store here. You can see the chairs were thrown around, even the computers ripped off. And here we have a jewelry store. So, across the street, we've got the Patagonia. What you're seeing is people of all ages, all backgrounds helping themselves, using Black Lives Matter as the reason. It is throughout Santa Monica.
[Chasing looters getting on a motorcycle with surfboards] So, wait! Guys, why are you doing this are you part of Black Lives Matter, or are you just surfers? What's the deal, guys?
Eventually, police moved in. Santa Monica officials say there were 400 arrests and claim 95 percent were outsiders. Police Chief Cynthia Renaud says the looters took advantage of the peaceful protesters.
POLICE CHIEF CYNTHIA RENAUD: There are opportunists.
VIGLIOTTI: The National Guard helped control the crowds. There was also common ground. But it can't undo the damage done. Dr. Alice Sun and [Dr.] Daniel Sjoland run Sunny Optometry, the couple saw their business ransacked on the eve of finally reopening their doors. COVID had kept their patients away for nearly three months.
DR. ALICE SUN: Never in a million years did we think it would happen to us.
DR. DANIEL SJOLAND: My life savings was in here that just got destroyed.
[Cuts back to live]
VIGLIOTTI: And more than 100 stores were damaged in Santa Monica. Tonight, across L.A. stores are boarding up their windows ahead of more protests. The National Guard sending in 2,000 troops for protection. Norah.
NORAH O’DONNELL: Praying for a safe night, Jonathan. Thank you.
