George Floyd Death: Pain And Rage As Protests Spread To Multiple US Cities

Cities across the United States could see more pain, rage and protests this weekend over the murder of George Floyd, the 46-year-old man who died after being restrained by a Minneapolis officer Monday (May 25).

Protests, which started in Minneapolis, spread quickly to multiple cities Friday and caused the White House to be briefly locked down. In Minneapolis, where about 500 National Guardsmen have been activated after days of looting and arson, protests continued despite a curfew from 8.00 p.m. Police were not enforcing the curfew but television footage showed them using smoke bombs and tear gas in attempts to clear the streets.

Angry protesters have taken to the streets in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Washington D.C., and other states to protest the brutality and treatment of African-Americans in police custody.

"This is a young rage, the same way young people took to the streets in the 1960s, 70s and 80s," Minneapolis resident and University of Minnesota history professor Saje Mathieu said via NBC News. "They're saying, 'We're already cut. We're already hurt. We're already bruised. There's no other way to communicate my pain and rage than to take to the streets.'"

Floyd was arrested by Officer Derek Chauvin, and was handcuffed and pinned to the ground. The cop seemingly ignored his cries that he couldn't breathe as Chauvin's knee was on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd quickly became unresponsive.

The incident was witnessed and recorded by a bystander, whose video went viral. It triggered a wave of protests that boiled over Thursday (May 28) evening in Minneapolis. Authorities had to impose a curfew to control the looting and arson in the city.

Chauvin has now been charged with third-degree murder, but Floyd's family has said that is not enough and he should be facing first-degree murder charges.

Elsewhere, however, people have been converging despite the fear of the coronavirus to decry the violence since Floyd's death.

"Anyone who wants to protest, we're going to protect your right to protest," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said as protesters headed to Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill, the Barclay Center and Lower Manhattan. "But please also respect that the cop in front of you did not create this problem."

In Atlanta, where there has been violence and extensive damage to property, including to the College Football Hall of Fame and police cars, Mayor Lance Bottoms pleaded to the protesters to go home at a late-night press conerence. "If you care about this city, then go home," Bottoms said.

Los Angelenos, led by Black Lives Matter protesters, were at the city hall Friday afternoon before walking toward downtown L.A. to mark the third day of their protests. A fist-fight ensued between some protesters and the police but the crowd was dispersed after one person was detained.

Chicago marchers, on the other hand, hit Millennium Park to hold the protest and while traffic was blocked as hundreds converged, the police said there were no arrests and no violent incidents.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and the city's police chief Paul Pazen also encouraged the people to make their voices heard, despite the injuries suffered by three local officers and the arrest of 13 protesters as the situation heated up.

Downtown Detroit held a "March Against Police Brutality" rally Friday evening as well. Police Chief James Craig said one police car was thrashed while nine people have been arrested for the incident.

In Washington, D.C., protesters headed to the White House bearing America flags, which were later burned. The Secret Service lined up on Pennsylvania Avenue as protesters threw cans and bottles by the barriers. The White House was briefly locked down. Protesters also held a vigil at the Capitol in the evening.

"This is about the oppression of everyone — black people, brown people, poor people alike," a voice chanted on the megaphone at Capitol. “We all have to unite. Rebellion is as American as racism."