New Delhi: At a time, when United States is dealing with worst-ever health crisis due to Covid-19 pandemic, death of an African-American in police custody has sparked off a massive row leading to violent protests and altercations with police in many cities while putting the White House under siege.
Violent clashes erupted outside White House as hundreds of protesters angered by George Floyd’s death lined up outside its premises and squared off against police officers in plastic shields and helmets.
Protest at the White House started on Friday, when a crowd of hundreds gathered in front of the president’s residence. The demonstrations turned more confrontational on second day and spread to many other cities.
The unrest was not limited to Washington. Protests erupted in cities across the nation against police brutality and racial discrimination. At least two deaths have been linked to the demonstrations. Protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with police officers dressed in riot gear in Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Portland, Oregon; and elsewhere.
Protests rage across US over George Floyd’s murder
In New York City, hundreds of people protesting peacefully wearing face masks could be seen gathering outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, CNN reported.
In Kentucky, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer asked for protestors to be peaceful in his city, following Taylor’s death in March.
As protesters arrived at Pennsylvania Avenue/Lafayette Park, the White House has been locked down. A video from CNN-affiliate WGCL showed protesters mounting the CNN sign at the network’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia and raising a Black Lives Matter flag.
California Highway Patrol officers were hit by projectiles thrown by protesters on the freeway in San Jose, spokesperson Alicia Moreno confirmed to CNN.
Vehicles were vandalised during the protests, according to Moreno. Protesters and police clashed in various incidents on Friday night outside the Barclays Center.
Trump warns against ‘mob violence’
Trump used his address at the Kennedy Space Center to offer a stern warning to “rioters, looters and anarchists” against violence.
“My administration will stop mob violence and we’ll stop it cold,” Trump said, blaming violence in several cities on “radical left-wing” groups. “I will not allow angry mobs to dominate…It is essential that we protect the crown jewel of democracy: The rule of law.”’
Why the violent protests across US?
The 46-year-old man’s death has sparked outrage across the nation. Floyd was detained and subsequently died in police custody in Minneapolis on Monday. A bystander video recording showed a cop kneeling on Floyd’s neck for at least eight minutes, while Floyd was saying that he could not breathe. A former Minneapolis police officer involved in the death of Floyd has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
The death was caught on video, and prompted protests in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Detroit, Dallas, Washington, DC, and other US cities.
The video of the incident was shared widely on social media, sparking protests in Minneapolis, followed by dozen other cities.
