Demonstrators make rounds in New York

Thousands of demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd in Minnesota took to the streets of New York City for a third day Saturday, blocking traffic, tagging police cars with graffiti and massing at separate marches in Harlem, Brooklyn, Queens and outside Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan. In the late afternoon, protesters in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn confronted police in a series of push-and-pull street melees, hurling empty bottles and pieces of debris at officers who responded with billy clubs and pepper spray. The skirmishes came one day after far more violent protests erupted outside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where some in the crowd hurled bottles and firebombs at police. More than 200 arrests were made Friday. It remained unclear how many arrests were made Saturday.

Columbus, Ohio

The governor of Ohio is called out the Ohio National Guard and also asked the highway patrol to help enforce laws in Columbus as the mayors of the state capital and Cleveland both announce 10 p.m. curfews following damage to businesses amid protests. Gov. Mike Dewine said Saturday that the vast majority of protesters want “simply to be heard” and focus attention on the death of Floyd. But the governor adds that sadly the calls for justice and change are “being drowned out by a smaller group of violent individuals.” He says that “acts of violence cannot, and will not, be tolerated.” Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther says he believes racism “is a public health and safety crisis” and he wants to see a more equitable city, but “we are now at a point that we can no longer tell who is protesting for change and an end to racism and who has only chaos and destruction in mind.”

Austin, Texas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent more than 1,500 state troopers to various Texas cities to help control protests. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said on Twitter that nearly 200 people were arrested Friday and most will be charged with obstructing a roadway as several protesters blocked an interstate and a highway. Hundreds of protesters gathered in Austin on Saturday outside police headquarters and then marched along Interstate 35.

Columbia, S.C.

A television news reporter in Columbia was been injured by rocks thrown during protests outside the city’s police headquarters. WIS-TV anchor Judi Gatson tweets that reporter Miranda Parnell was being taken to the hospital to be “checked out” after Saturday’s incident. The tweet says Parnell reported that “a person wearing a MAGA hat showed up at the rally, protesters confronted that person & then rocks were thrown.” Several hundred people participated in the demonstration, tearing down the U.S. flag and the South Caroline state flag in front of the police The State newspaper reports that some protesters swarmed a police car, breaking its windows.

Las Vegas

Police said 80 protesters were arrested and 12 police officers injured during violence Friday. According to police, the protest on the Las Vegas Strip began with up to 300 people gathering peacefully. But police say rocks were thrown at police and property was damaged several hours later when officers tried to disperse the crowd as tensions mounted. Policee said the arrests were made when protesters refused to disperse.

Indianapolis

Crowds clashed with police overnight, prompting officers to fire multiple volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds that shattered storefronts. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said hundreds of city residents peacefully exercised their right to free speech to protest the horror of “the needless killing of George Floyd.” But he was saddened a smaller group turned violent and damaged businesses and caused injuries. Fires were set in trash cans and a CVS store was set ablaze after protesters broke in and took items. Other stores were ransacked.