Video Editor: Varun Sharma
Violent clashes erupted near the White House as citizens continued to protest over the death of George Floyd in police custody. Sunday, 31 May, marked the sixth day of the protests with major fires reported in multiple US cities.
According to news agency AFP, multiple fires were set near the White House. Authorities used tear gas, pepper spray, and grenades to disperse crowds as per the report.
United States President Donald Trump was reportedly taken to the White House underground bunker.
On Monday, clashes also broke out in Boston where protestors damaged a police vehicle.
Curfews have been ordered in 25 cities including Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. In Minnesota – where Floyd was killed – the state’s entire national guard was mobilised on Saturday to try to prevent further trouble, reported the BBC.
George Floyd, 46, was arrested in Minneapolis neighbourhood Powderhorn for allegedly attempting to use a $20 bill in a deli, which an employee identified as counterfeit. Thereafter, police officer Derek Chauvin pinned a handcuffed Floyd to the ground, kneeling on his neck till he breathed his last. Three other officers also participated in Floyd’s arrest and subsequent death on 25 May.
More Than 1,000 Protesters Arrested
According to a report in The New York Times, the police in Minneapolis arrested several protesters, fired tear gas and other projectiles toward crowds, and the National Guard used a helicopter to dump water on a burning car.
So far nearly 1,400 people in 17 US cities have been arrested, reports AP.
Demonstrators nationwide have taken to the streets after Floyd died while being arrested in Minneapolis. A video shows a police officer kneeling on his neck for at least seven minutes; Floyd is heard begging for the police to stop, saying he cannot breathe.
Chauvin has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. The three other officers have not been charged. Protesters say they want to see charges for all four police officers involved in the death of Floyd.
Earlier on Saturday Trump lashed out at demonstrators on Twitter, including some outside the White House. “They were just their [sic] to cause trouble. The Secret Service handled them easily,” the president said, describing the federal law enforcement agents as “totally professional, but very cool”.
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