Thousands gather across US to remember Floyd after memorial
Twitter blocks a Trump campaign video tribute to George Floyd
WASHINGTON DC: Thousands of Americans carrying placards reading black lives matter and raising slogans such as no justice, no peace took to the streets in many US cities, demonstrating peacefully against the killing of unarmed African-american George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25.
The 46-year-old victim, a native of Houston, was handcuffed and pinned to the ground on May 25 by a white police officer who kneeled on his neck as he gasped for breath.
Floyd's death has triggered nationwide violent protests with a section of the protesters resorting to looting and rioting across the country, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Mourners gathered in huge numbers across the country on Thursday night to remember Floyd after a private memorial service in Minneapolis.
Seeking justice for Floyd, they are demanding urgent reforms in the police and criminal justice system.
Several cities including New York, Washington DC, Chicago and Los Angeles have reported large-scale violence and looting in the last few days.
More than 10,000 Americans have been arrested across the country for violent protests.
Protesters chant slogans as they march, with music and drum beats blaring in the background in Los Angeles. Cars were seen moving slowly along with the marchers, with many drivers and passengers holding protest signs or raising fists out of their windows to show support.
In New York, city Mayor Bill de Blasio was booed at an event.
It will not be about words in this city. It will be about a change, he said.
Reverend Al Sharpton, who delivered the eulogy, said that the reason why we're marching all over the world is because we were like George, we couldn't breathe. It's time for us to stand up in George's name and say get your knee off our necks .
He also asked mourners to stand in silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time Floyd lay pinned to the pavement by the police officer.
At the end of the day, my brother's gone, but the Floyd name lives on. I thank god for you all, his brother Terrence Floyd told another massive gathering in Brooklyn.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described this as a day