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MEDIA ALERT
June 8, 2020
Contact: Lt. Col. Brian L. Mason
State Public Affairs Officer
Arkansas National Guard
501-212-5020 / 501-590-0318
ng.ar.ararng.mbx.daily-guard@mail.mil
Governor directs Guardsmen to deactivate from civil disturbance
mission
~ 570 to begin process today, will be released from duty on Wednesday
WHO: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson
WHAT: directed the Arkansas National Guard to deactivate 570 Guardsmen
WHEN: beginning today through Wednesday, June 10
WHERE: at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark.
WHY: Arkansas National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will deactivate and return home after
being directed to support the Arkansas State Police in a civil disturbance mission that began on
May 31 after the death of Mr. George Floyd in Minnesota. Arkansans took to the streets of Little
Rock and other cities to protest as it is their first amendment right. The Guardsmen mobilized
were specifically trained and equipped to assist state and local authorities with a variety of
missions to include traffic control, crowd stabilization, and upholding the rule of law.
The deactivation process will include briefings, equipment turn in and a COVID-19 test before
they depart to ensure none of the Guardsmen have COVID-19 at the time of their release from
duty. Any Guardsman that might test positive may be continued on orders until they are cleared
to be released.
The Arkansas National Guard assumes support roles to augment civil authorities, where needed
and directed by the Governor, to help in a crisis.
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