Grieving and angered protesters have clashed with police in cities across the U.S. after George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man, was killed while being taken into custody in Minneapolis.
"I can't breathe, man," Floyd said what turned out to be his last words. "Please, let me stand. Please, man."
The death of an unarmed, handcuffed black man -- as well as the deaths of many African-American men who have undergone unjustified police brutality -- has caused mass protests in the United States.
The Minneapolis authorities have taken military equipment to the streets, forcing people to go home. Those who defy are shot with rubber bullets.
In Washington D.C., demonstrators started a fire near the White House, throwing the American flag, road signs, bottles, and bushes into it. The police pushed back the protesters soon after, putting out the fire.
About 5,000 National Guard troops in 15 states and the District of Columbia have been activated to help quell the unrest. Another 2,000 National Guard officers are prepared to step in if needed.
Over 25 major cities have imposed curfews, including Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Nashville, Portland, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and others.
Donald Trump's reaction
U.S. President Donald Trump harshly reacted to the events, placing responsibility for the riots on "radical left-wing anarchists". According to Trump, the U.S. will designate the anti-fascist group ANTIFA a terrorist organization, despite legal concerns that the president has no authority to designate a domestic movement a terrorist organization.
"Congratulations to our National Guard for the great job they did immediately upon arriving in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last night. The ANTIFA led anarchists, among others, were shut down quickly. Should have been done by Mayor on the first night and there would have been no trouble!" Trump tweeted.
What is ANTIFA?
ANTIFA (from antifascism) is a left-wing, antifascist international movement that unites autonomous groups fighting neo-nazism and racism through direct action. The movement is not homogeneous. Some groups may use illegal methods of struggle, including those of violent nature.
George Floyd's death
Demonstrators in Minneapolis and across the country have poured onto the streets after a 46-years-old African-American, unarmed and handcuffed George Floyd, died in police custody. Derek Chauvin, a white policeman with police brutality record, had his knee on Floyd's neck for over 8 minutes. Trying to catch a breath, the man begged the officers to let him stand up. George Floyd died in the police arms. He was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy cigarettes.
Demonstrators in Minneapolis and across the country have poured onto the streets after a 46-years-old African-American, unarmed and handcuffed George Floyd died in police custody. Derek Chauvin, a white policeman with police brutality record, had his knee on Floyd's neck for over 8 minutes. The man died in the police arms.
As it was figured later, Chauvin was the subject of over a dozen police conduct complaints and had previously shot a suspect. According to some reports, he was involved in three fatal incidents including African Americans.
After the tragedy, demonstrators started mass protests across the U.S., speaking out against police brutality and racism. In recent days, major protests have taken place in six states. American citizens, overwhelmed with anger and grief, have also taken to the streets of Colorado, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota (Minneapolis), Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia.
The protest movement has already gone beyond the U.S. borders, with Berlin and Toronto expressing their solidarity with American protestors.