Federal, state and local law enforcement and prosecutors are working to quell rioting and looting.

Violent rioters believed to be from out of state threw rocks and bottles. They injured peaceful protesters, police and a WIS-TV reporter in Columbia Sunday.

“Our priorities are to protect people’s lives and property,” SC Attorney General Alan Wilson said.

“We also want to protect the 1st Amendment rights of the peaceful protesters.

“For those people who are trying to hijack these protests to instigate violence and destruction, we’ll do everything in our power to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“This effort is looking at a more long-term response,” Wilson said.

Cayce and West Columbia officials enacted curfews to protect people and property in their communities across the Congaree River from the Columbia violence.

West Columbia temporarily closed the Gervais Street Bridge, and Cayce said it would close the Blossom Street bridge if necessary.

State Sen Dick Harpootlian said, “After the protest moved to the Columbia Police Department headquarters, a handful of criminal agitators engaged in vandalism, theft, and violence that left vehicles charred, windows broken and 12 CPD officers injured. The unlawful acts of these few risked undermining the legitimate grievances and peaceful demands of the many.”

At the Statehouse earlier this week, protesters gathered for a “Die-In,” lying on the grass for 9 minutes, according to the University of SC student newspaper, The Daily Gamecock.

They chanted “I can’t breathe,” the last words of George Floyd, killed by a Minneapolis police officer.

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said he is looking into how the violence unfolded and claims that the police started the violence.