Protests over George Floyd's murder spread to other cities in the United States

05/30/2020 - 1:17

• Clarín.com
• World

Thousands of protesters gathered this Friday night in different cities in the United States to protest the death of African-American George Floyd when he was detained by the police last Monday.

In downtown Atlanta, near the headquarters of the CNN television network, groups of protesters began breaking store windows, to which the riot police responded with the launch of tear gas grenades, according to the televisions.

Some of the protesters threw stones at the CNN building and, amid the confusion, several police vehicles that remained parked were also targeted by the stones and other blunt objects, and at least two of them were burned.

Riot at the entrance to CNN offices in Atlanta during the George Floyd crime protests. / AP Photo / Mike Stewart /

In the Minneapolis metropolitan area and its "twin" city, Saint Paul, only separated by the Mississippi River and where violent incidents have occurred over the past three nights, hundreds of protesters cut a downtown bridge linking the two cities. to gather peacefully and resume their protests despite the curfew that has been in force since dusk and for the entire weekend.

These protests led in the last three days in the early hours of the morning in looting of businesses, fires of police vehicles and confrontations with agents.

Groups of protesters, some kneeling with their fists raised, gathered in front of the Third District Police Barracks building in southeast Minneapolis, which was set on fire in the Thursday night riots, under the yell of "It can't stop us all."

The source of the protests is the death of African-American George Floyd, 46, who died at the hands of police on Monday after being detained on suspicion of trying to use a fake $ 20 bill at a supermarket.

Atlanta spoke out in repudiation of the murder of George Floyd. / Elijah Nouvelage / Getty Images / AFP /

In videos recorded by passers-by, one of the four officers who participated in the arrest is seen, and who were later expelled from the body, subjecting the detainee to the ground, climbing on him and pressing his knee on Floyd's neck for minutes, ignoring her pleas that she can't breathe.

City Mayor Jacob Frey asked protesters to return to their homes if they want the protest to be peaceful, a message similar to that released by Minnesota Governor Democrat Tim Walz, who activated the Guard. Nacional -a military reservist corps-, fearing another night of chaos.

The Police and the National Guard have been joined by state patrol forces to guarantee the safety of businesses and buildings in the metropolitan area.

Also in Washington, the capital, a demonstration that began as peaceful led to incidents with police and Secret Service agents after the arrest of at least two of the participants, which was responded to by the launch of plastic bottles by some of the present.

Washington was another of the cities where there were protests against police racism. / Eric Baradat / AFP /

According to images taken from the incidents, a young man climbed up the bars of the Freedman Bank building, located in front of the presidential residence and where the Office of Foreign Assets Control and other official offices work, to paint graffiti against the US president, Donald Trump, amid applause.

The protesters on more than one occasion tore down some of the barricades installed in front of the White House, which generated some moments of tension.

Protests over George Floyd's crime reached New York. / Justin Heiman / Getty Images / AFP /

The protest began with a rally in which the participants, many of them wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus, chanted "I can't breathe" and even made mention on different posters of Floyd's death.

Local media have also reported minor incidents in Brooklyn, New York, and Charlotte, North Carolina, and Houston, Texas.

George Floyd's call for justice also went to Oakland, California. / Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / AFP /

In Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and beyond, thousands of protesters carried signs saying "He said I can't breathe. Justice for George" and chanted "Without justice there is no peace."

Source: agencies