Georgina Burke ‘barricaded in bathroom’ amid US riot break-in

Brisbane model Georgina Burke has recalled barricading herself in the bathroom of her New York City apartment, as rioters smashed the entrance to her building.

BRISBANE model Georgina Burke has recalled barricading herself in the bathroom of her New York City apartment, as rioters smashed the entrance to her building.

With race riots ruling the streets of the US, Burke says she was “terrified and fearful” when she woke up at 4am on Monday to her whole building “shaking and vibrating” as rioters destroyed the apartment entrance.

“The sounds were so frightening,” Burke, who lives alone, told The Courier-Mail.

“I was in shock, I had my parents on my laptop on facetime while I was getting a play by play of the rioting from my downstairs neighbour.

“I hid in my bathroom, it was terrifying that feeling that people would come bursting into my home any second”.

Georgina Burke's front door where rioters destroyed the entrance. Pic: Supplied

“Your mind just screams: ‘What is going to happen to me? Is this real? Can I wake up from this horrible movie? What would I do to defend myself if ten men came through my door’?”

Burke said when she heard police and fire trucks pull up she ran downstairs to see the front of the building “completely smashed”.

When asking officers if they could station a police car out the front of the building they laughed and said: “this isn’t Australia darling, Get upstairs and barricade yourself in your apartment.”

Burke, who says she supports the current protests but “does not condone violence”, said living in New York City was “terrifying enough” with COVID-19.

Brisbane model Georgina Burke helping her neighbour board their business after riots. Pic: Supplied

“A pandemic combined with world wide riots is unimaginable really,” she said.

“Every day is a roller coaster. Emotions are high. Anger is through the roof. It is such an unsteady time to be living in the middle of New York City.

“If you look one way you see refrigerator trucks for the bodies of the people who have passed away (from COVID-19), and if you look the other way you watch businesses burnt and destroyed.”

Georgina Burke said living in New York City currently feels like a “roller coaster”. Pic: Supplied

Burke said the race riots, brought on by global outrage over the death of George Floyd, have made her stop and think about things from a different perspective.

“The absolute shocking and undeserved death of George Floyd has rocked the US to its core and it has made me sit down to try become better educated about these issues,” she said.

“I’m well aware of my white privilege now and see things from a totally different perspective. The great pain we are feeling will hopefully lead to great healing and that is what’s needed right now.”