Citizens protected the Russian Pushkin Restaurant during the disturbances that began in San Diego due to the death of George Floyd. This is what the restaurant’s owner Hayk Ghazaryan told Fifth Channel.

When the disturbances began in San Diego, Ghazaryan believed he needed to protect the restaurant. The protesters have destroyed cars and burned banks and buildings.

“I realized I had to do something. I have Jewish, Azerbaijani, Armenian, Russian and Ukrainian friends who all have licenses to use weapons. Ten of my friends who like the restaurant the most, gathered and brought their weapons with them,” Ghazaryan said.

At first, everything was peaceful, but then the gathered noticed a crowd approaching the restaurant. Protesters had already damaged a few stores.

Ghazaryan and the others came out to the street with weapons. According to him, the defenders wanted to show the protesters that they were serious about protecting the restaurant, and as a result, the crowd bypassed the restaurant and didn’t cause any damage.

Ghazaryan also specified that there were no police officers on the street during the day.