Cities under curfew as protests continue
Police have arrested nearly 1400 people in 17 US cities as protests continue over the death of George Floyd.
Floyd died Monday in Minnesota after a police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes. The officer, Derek Chauvin, was arrested on Saturday and charged with third-degree murder.
But the arrest has done little to quell the protests across the country involving at least 30 cities.
An Associated Press tally of arrests found at least 1383 people have been arrested since Friday. The actual number is likely higher as protests continue.
The National Guard has been called out in Washington, D.C., as pockets of violence erupted during a second straight night of protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and President Donald Trump’s reaction to it.
Hundreds of protesters converged on the White House during the day and marched on the National Mall, chanting ‘‘Black Lives Matter,’’ ‘‘I can’t breathe’’ and ‘‘No justice, no peace.’’
Police used pepper spray to try to disperse the crowd but the standoff continued. Protesters dragged away barricades and some broke up concrete to use as projectiles.
National Guard troops took up position around the White House yesterday.
President Donald Trump appears to be cheering on the tougher tactics being used by law enforcement around the country to confront sometimes violent demonstrators.
The president commended National Guard troops deployed in Minneapolis, declaring ‘‘No games!’’ He also said police in New York City ‘‘must be allowed to do their job!’’ In a tweet,
Trump said: ‘‘Let New York’s Finest be New York’s Finest.’’
He was commenting on Twitter from the White House while crowds of protesters gathered outside.
At least 25 cities across 16 states have now imposed curfews.
The mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, has declared a state of civil emergency after protesters set a fire inside the Metro Courthouse in the state’s capital city.
Thousands had rallied near the Capitol building to peacefully protest police brutality and racism. But things turned violent after darkness fell, with protesters breaking windows in government buildings and causing other property damage.
The Tennessean newspaper says demonstrators also pulled down a statue outside the Capitol of Edward Carmack, a former lawmaker and newspaper publisher who espoused racist views.
Police in Minneapolis are confronting protesters out after curfew on the fifth day of protests over the death of George Floyd.
A group of marchers was moving north toward downtown on a city street when officers fired tear gas yesterday. The group immediately retreated.
Soon after, officers fired tear gas and moved in to push away throngs of protesters who were milling around the city police’s 5th Precinct.
The tougher tactics came after city and state leaders were criticised for not more strongly confronting violent and damaging protests.
Utah Governor Gary Herbert has activated the Utah National Guard after protesters turned violent during a demonstration at which some participants carried rifles in Salt Lake City. – AP