Violence and looting rage as George Floyd protests lead to clashes with cops in several states
VIOLENCE and looting raged across the country into the early hours of Sunday morning as demonstrations held to protest George Floyd's death in police custody sparked clashes with riot cops.
Scenes of carnage were witnessed in cities for another night as multiple states mobilized the National Guard following episodes of rioting.
Public outrage was sparked after video emerged showing white cop Derek Chauvin kneeling for several minutes on the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man.
Curfews are now in place in many cities, including Minneapolis, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Rochester and Miami Dade County.
"Should have been used 2 days ago & there would not have been damage & Police Headquarters would not have been taken over & ruined. Great job by the National Guard. No games!"
Although most of the protests began as peaceful marches against racism and police brutality, many descended into flames, arrests, and rioting.
Marching under the guise of protesting over Floyd's death, individuals nationwide set police cars alight, smashed business windows and looted stores, and targeted police precincts.
More than 1,300 people have been arrested in 16 cities since Thursday, including over 500 Friday in Los Angeles.
In Minneapolis, where Floyd died after police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into his neck for more than eight minutes, shots were fired at officers and buildings set ablaze.
There were dozens of arrests, but no serious injuries as protests broke out across the city, said the Minnesota Dept of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell.
Elsewhere in the US, a Federal Protective Service officer was shot dead in Oakland,, and another was injured in gunfire; protesters surrounded CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia; a 19-year-old was shot when someone opened fire into a crowd in Detroit, ; and seven were shot at a Louisville, Kentucky, protest - the same city where nurse Breonna Taylor was shot dead in her bed by police in March.
Georgia's governor declared a state of emergency early Saturday to activate the state National Guard.
The Wisconsin National Guard to assist local law enforcement in response to “agitators”.
"It is critical that people are able to peacefully express their anger and frustration about systemic racism and injustice, in Milwaukee, the State of Wisconsin, and our Nation," said Governor Evers issued the following statement.