LA MESA, Calif. (KGTV) - A new group formed on social media in response to the destruction of looters and arsonists after Saturday's peaceful protest against injustice.
La Mesa Civil Defense is a Facebook group formed Monday by Attorney Scott McMillan.
McMIllan was devastated by the chaos Saturday night, "we lost our museum, we lost our art gallery, we lost two of our banks... I did not want to see it [La Mesa] burn to the ground."
McMillan said the goal of the page is to communicate how they will protect the town should anything happen in the future, "La Mesa Civil Defense is going to stand in front of the buildings with fire extinguishers and garden hoses and their presence."
He said he stood at Nebo Dr. and Lemon Ave. from 7:30 p.m. Saturday night until 6 a.m. guarding local businesses and trying to get looters to stop causing destruction.
He said a few people spoke with him.
One man explained he was upset about George Floyd's death, McMiIllan said he responded saying, "how does breaking (a neighboring boutique that's been around for 10 years) her windows and stealing her merchandise, honor the memory of George Floyd?"
He said the man left and came back to tell McMillan he was right.
Those are the conversations he hopes blossom from this group and bring peace to La Mesa.
McMillan said he is not asking anyone to use lethal force unless they feel like their life is being threatened.
He said they are stepping in to help police and firefighters overwhelmed during these times. 10News reached out to La Mesa PD for a comment and have not heard back.
