Protests rage for fourth day over Floyd ‘s death, Officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck arrested

By World News Last updated May 31, 2020

WASHINGTON

Demonstrators gathered Friday across the US for a fourth straight day to protest the death of an unarmed black man who was killed as he was pinned down by a white Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer.

Since Monday when Geroge Floyd died while Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes, protests have erupted in Minneapolis.

But police also clashed with protesters in Los Angeles and New York City, among other cities.

Despite peaceful protests, some were marred by looting, arson and brawls with police. Protests also took place in Boston, Massachusetts and Memphis, Tennessee, Louisville, Kentucky, Detroit, Michigan and Houston, Texas.

The fresh protests came hours after Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, according to Hennepin County Prosecutor Michael Freeman in Minneapolis.

Protesters are demanding the arrest of three other police officers shown in video footage captured at the scene when Floyd was arrested, be fired along with Chauvin.

Late Friday, protesters gathered in Minneapolis despite a curfew that was imposed by Mayor Jacob Frey in hopes of quelling violent protests. Frey fired all four officers Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, a group of protesters made their way to the White House in the nation’s capital, where they faced a police response with some clashing with the secret service members.

In Atlanta, Georgia protesters burned a police car and broke glass of the front gate of renown cable Tv network headquarters, according to videos circulated on social media.

A Kansas City news website said nearly 300 people gathered near the Country Club Plaza to protest. Local law enforcement described the protest as peaceful.

Denver, Colorado, Chicago, Illinois and Oakland, California also saw protests.

In all, protesters carried banners that read “Black Lives Matter,” and chanted “No Justice, No Peace!” and “I can’t breathe” slogans.

Floyd, 46, was arrested Monday after reportedly attempting to use a counterfeit $20 bill at a local store.

Video footage on Facebook showed him handcuffed and cooperating.

But police claimed he resisted arrest. Chauvin kneeled on his neck, despite Floyd’s repeated pleas of “I can’t breathe.”

Shortly after, Floyd appeared to lose consciousness, but the officer maintained his position on the victim.

He died shortly after being taken to a hospital.

Earlier President Donald Trump said he spoke to the Floyd’s family and sent “our nation’s deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathies to the family of George Floyd.”

Amid heavy protest on the consecutive fourth day in a row, the officer who knelt on the neck of an unarmed black man for minutes-on-end during a fatal arrest has been arrested on Friday, four days after George Floyd’s death.

Officer Derek Chauvin was taken into custody by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said during a brief news conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Harrington would not say where Chauvin was taken into custody, but said additional details will be issued in a news release.

Floyd, 46, was arrested Monday in Minneapolis, Minnesota after reportedly attempting to use a counterfeit $20 bill at a local store.

Video footage on Facebook showed him handcuffed and cooperating.

But police claim he resisted arrest. One of the officers kneeled on his neck, despite Floyd’s repeated pleas of “I can’t breathe.”

Shortly after, Floyd appeared to lose consciousness, but the officer maintained his position on the victim.

He died shortly after being taken to a hospital.

Four officers have been fired over the killing, which sparked mass protests and an outcry against police brutality.

Floyd’s family said they want the officers to be charged with murder.

Floyd’s death has strong parallels to that of Eric Garner, who died during a fatal 2014 arrest in New York, repeatedly pleading with officers, “I can’t breathe.”

The phrase became a rallying point for protesters demonstrating against the killings of unarmed black men and women by police. It has continued to resonate nearly six years later.