Minggu, 31 Mei 2020

George Floyd death: Violence erupts on sixth day of protests - BBC News

Violence has erupted in cities across the US on the sixth night of protests sparked by the death in police custody of African-American George Floyd.

Curfews have been imposed in nearly 40 cities, but people have largely ignored them, leading to tense stand-offs.

Riot police clashed with protesters in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, firing tear gas and pepper bullets to try to disperse the crowds.

Police vehicles were set on fire and shops were looted in several cities.

The National Guard - the US reserve military force for domestic emergencies - said on Sunday that 5,000 of its personnel had been activated in 15 states and Washington, DC, where crowds once again gathered near the White House, this time lighting fires and throwing stones at riot officers.

"State and local law enforcement agencies remain responsible for security," the National Guard added.

What's the latest on the protests?

There were multiple instances of police vehicles being vandalised and set alight on Sunday. Riot officers continued to respond with tear gas and flash grenades.

In Philadelphia, local TV stations showed people smashing police cars and looting at least one store.

US President Donald Trump tweeted: "Law & Order in Philadelphia, NOW! They are looting stores. Call in our great National Guard".

Looting was also reported in Santa Monica, California.

In Minneapolis, where Mr Floyd lost his life, a lorry driver was arrested after reportedly breaching a road barrier before speeding towards a crowd of protesters marching along a major highway.

Footage posted on social media showed dozens of people surrounding the vehicle and pulling the driver out from behind the wheel after it came to a stop.

The driver was later taken to hospital with minor injuries. There were no immediate reports of other casualties.

Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz said the motive of the driver was unclear, adding: "To not have tragedy and many deaths is simply an amazing thing."

In Denver, thousands of people protested peacefully in Colorado State Capitol by lying face down with their hands behind their backs and chanting: "I can't breathe."

Large-scale protests also took place in Atlanta, Boston, Miami and Oklahoma City.

There were also several reported incidents of riot police responding disproportionately to the demonstrators. In Atlanta, Georgia, two officers were sacked on Sunday for using excessive force - including firing a taser - on two young college students.

The Floyd case has reignited US anger over police killings of black Americans. For many, the outrage also reflects years of frustration over socio-economic inequality and segregation, not least in Minneapolis itself.

Hundreds of people have been arrested since the protests began a week ago.

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A white ex-policeman has been charged with murdering Mr Floyd, 46, in Minneapolis.

Derek Chauvin, 44, is due to appear in court later on Monday.

It follows the high-profile cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Eric Garner in New York and others that have driven the Black Lives Matter movement.

For three years, Donald Trump presided over a nation of relative peace and prosperity. The crises he faced were largely of his own making, and he confronted them by rallying his supporters and condemning his opponents.

Now Trump faces a situation ill-suited to a playbook of division. The US economy has been hobbled by a deadly pandemic. George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer has spread racial unrest across the nation. The public is uncertain and afraid - and increasingly angry.

These are circumstances that would test the abilities of even the most skilful leaders. This president, however, risks becoming lost at sea. His public calls for unity and healing have been undermined by a penchant for Twitter name-calling and bellicosity. Message discipline, a valuable attribute at this moment, is not his forte.

There may be no easy way to guide the nation through its current peril. Barack Obama's measured coolness did nothing to stop the fires of Ferguson any more than Richard Nixon's law-and-order edicts quelled Vietnam-era unrest.

The economic and social devastation of the pandemic has created a political landscape of dry brush ignited by the lightning strike of Floyd's death. The president may not be able to contain the wildfire, even if he isn't feeding the flames.

What happened to George Floyd?

On the evening of Monday 25 May, police received a phone call from a neighbourhood grocery store alleging that George Floyd had paid with a counterfeit $20 note.

Officers were attempting to put him in a police vehicle when he dropped to the ground, telling them he was claustrophobic.

According to police, he physically resisted officers and was handcuffed. Video of the incident does not show how the confrontation started.

With Mr Chauvin's knee on his neck, Mr Floyd can be heard saying "please, I can't breathe" and "don't kill me".

According to a preliminary autopsy by the county medical examiner, the police officer had his knee on Mr Floyd's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds - almost three minutes of which was after Mr Floyd became non-responsive.

Nearly two minutes before Mr Chauvin removed his knee the other officers checked Mr Floyd's right wrist for a pulse and were unable to find one. He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead around an hour later.

A lawyer for Mr Floyd's family has accused Mr Chauvin of "premeditated murder".

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2020-06-01 04:11:52Z
52780811678261

George Floyd death: Violence erupts on sixth day of protests - BBC News

Violence has erupted in cities across the US on the sixth night of protests sparked by the death in police custody of African-American George Floyd.

Curfews have been imposed in nearly 40 cities, but people have largely ignored them, leading to tense stand-offs.

Riot police clashed with protesters in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, firing tear gas and pepper bullets to try to disperse the crowds.

Police vehicles were set on fire and shops were looted in several cities.

The National Guard - the US reserve military force for domestic emergencies - said on Sunday that 5,000 of its personnel had been activated in 15 states and Washington, DC, where crowds once again gathered near the White House, this time lighting fires and throwing stones at riot officers.

"State and local law enforcement agencies remain responsible for security," the National Guard added.

What's the latest on the protests?

There were multiple instances of police vehicles being vandalised and set alight on Sunday. Riot officers continued to respond with tear gas and flash grenades.

In Philadelphia, local TV stations showed people smashing police cars and looting at least one store.

US President Donald Trump tweeted: "Law & Order in Philadelphia, NOW! They are looting stores. Call in our great National Guard".

Looting was also reported in Santa Monica, California.

In Minneapolis, where Mr Floyd lost his life, a lorry driver was arrested after reportedly breaching a road barrier before speeding towards a crowd of protesters marching along a major highway.

Footage posted on social media showed dozens of people surrounding the vehicle and pulling the driver out from behind the wheel after it came to a stop.

The driver was later taken to hospital with minor injuries. There were no immediate reports of other casualties.

Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz said the motive of the driver was unclear, adding: "To not have tragedy and many deaths is simply an amazing thing."

In Denver, thousands of people protested peacefully in Colorado State Capitol by lying face down with their hands behind their backs and chanting: "I can't breathe."

Large-scale protests also took place in Atlanta, Boston, Miami and Oklahoma City.

There were also several reported incidents of riot police responding disproportionately to the demonstrators. In Atlanta, Georgia, two officers were sacked on Sunday for using excessive force - including firing a taser - on two young college students.

The Floyd case has reignited US anger over police killings of black Americans. For many, the outrage also reflects years of frustration over socio-economic inequality and segregation, not least in Minneapolis itself.

Hundreds of people have been arrested since the protests began a week ago.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

A white ex-policeman has been charged with murdering Mr Floyd, 46, in Minneapolis.

Derek Chauvin, 44, is due to appear in court later on Monday.

It follows the high-profile cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Eric Garner in New York and others that have driven the Black Lives Matter movement.

For three years, Donald Trump presided over a nation of relative peace and prosperity. The crises he faced were largely of his own making, and he confronted them by rallying his supporters and condemning his opponents.

Now Trump faces a situation ill-suited to a playbook of division. The US economy has been hobbled by a deadly pandemic. George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer has spread racial unrest across the nation. The public is uncertain and afraid - and increasingly angry.

These are circumstances that would test the abilities of even the most skilful leaders. This president, however, risks becoming lost at sea. His public calls for unity and healing have been undermined by a penchant for Twitter name-calling and bellicosity. Message discipline, a valuable attribute at this moment, is not his forte.

There may be no easy way to guide the nation through its current peril. Barack Obama's measured coolness did nothing to stop the fires of Ferguson any more than Richard Nixon's law-and-order edicts quelled Vietnam-era unrest.

The economic and social devastation of the pandemic has created a political landscape of dry brush ignited by the lightning strike of Floyd's death. The president may not be able to contain the wildfire, even if he isn't feeding the flames.

What happened to George Floyd?

On the evening of Monday 25 May, police received a phone call from a neighbourhood grocery store alleging that George Floyd had paid with a counterfeit $20 note.

Officers were attempting to put him in a police vehicle when he dropped to the ground, telling them he was claustrophobic.

According to police, he physically resisted officers and was handcuffed. Video of the incident does not show how the confrontation started.

With Mr Chauvin's knee on his neck, Mr Floyd can be heard saying "please, I can't breathe" and "don't kill me".

According to a preliminary autopsy by the county medical examiner, the police officer had his knee on Mr Floyd's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds - almost three minutes of which was after Mr Floyd became non-responsive.

Nearly two minutes before Mr Chauvin removed his knee the other officers checked Mr Floyd's right wrist for a pulse and were unable to find one. He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead around an hour later.

A lawyer for Mr Floyd's family has accused Mr Chauvin of "premeditated murder".

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2020-06-01 03:53:09Z
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China WAR: Donald Trump plans new anti-China alliance amid tensions - Express.co.uk

US and China tensions have been rising rapidly amid the coronavirus pandemic. The two countries have been at odds over the reporting of the virus, and also over trade disputes.

US President Donald Trump reportedly plans to invite Australia, India, South Korea and Russia to a future Group of Seven meeting.

He said on Saturday that he invited the four to attend the summit and said he felt the group was “very outdated”.

It is not clear whether President Trump wants the G7 to become the G11.

White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah also said Trump wants the summit to discuss China.

READ MORE: China PANICS: Warning Beijing is lashing out and risking war because it fears IRRELEVANCE

Both South Korea and Australia are long-standing US allies.

Australia has backed calls for an independent inquiry into the source of the COVID-19 outbreak.

They also share concerns with the US over China’s new Hong Kong security law.

The US has also been fostering closer ties with India, which has varying disagreements with China, including border tensions in Ladakh.

Ni Feng, director of the Institute of American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Trump was trying to mobilise support from US allies in containing China.

Ni said: “The intention is simple: to isolate China.

“It is just the beginning, and more containment measures will follow.”

John Lee, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a Washington think tank, also said the US “may be looking to advance an agenda which will consider placing responsibility onto China for the latter’s failures in allowing a pandemic to occur”.

Shahar Hameiri, an associate professor at the University of Queensland’s School of Political Science and International Studies, said it was “fair to assume” that Trump’s proposal for an expanded G7 was linked to the increasing US-China rivalry.

However, he said it was not clear that the countries in question would be “particularly thrilled” to follow this path and it was a “big if” whether any substantive changes to the G7 would happen.

The countries involved also have their own business and commercial interests in China, which might make it hard to reach a consensus on isolating and containing China.

For instance, despite the current spat between Beijing and Canberra over calls for a coronavirus inquiry, China remains Australia’s largest trading partner and its biggest export market.

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2020-05-31 23:48:00Z
52780818480151

Mass protests and arrests across US over George Floyd death - BBC News - BBC News

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  1. Mass protests and arrests across US over George Floyd death - BBC News  BBC News
  2. George Floyd death: Thousands protest across central London  BBC News
  3. Thousands of Black Lives Matter activists march on Downing Street and US embassy in London  Daily Mail
  4. The Observer view on the killing of George Floyd  The Guardian
  5. Donald Trump and the spectre of a race-based US election  Financial Times
  6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-05-31 21:17:34Z
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'Light 'em up!' Cops in Minneapolis fire paint rounds at civilians standing on their FRONT PORCH - Daily Mail

‘Light ‘em up!’ Cops in Minneapolis fire paint rounds at civilians standing on their FRONT PORCH as they enforce the new nighttime curfew orders that ban residents from public spaces

  • Cell phone footage showed Minneapolis law enforcement shooting several paint rounds at residents on their front porch 
  • Authorities were reportedly patrolling the area during the George Floyd protests to enforce the city's curfew
  • Mayor Jacob Frey imposed an order that bans Minneapolis residents from being in public spaces from 8pm to 6pm this weekend
  • But those prohibitions don't apply to private residences 
  • Tanya Kerssen, the woman who captured the incident, and at least one other person was on private property when officers shot at them
  • No one appeared to sustain any serious injuries  
  • Minneapolis and several other cities have erupted in protests over the death of George Floyd, 46, last Monday 

Law enforcement officers in Minneapolis were caught on camera firing several paint rounds at civilians standing on their own property in an effort to enforce the city's curfew.  

Cell phone footage shows what appears to be an armored truck rolling down a residential street while nearly two dozen officers and law enforcement march behind.  

The police were reportedly patrolling the Whittier neighborhood during the volatile George Floyd protests on Saturday and attempting to enforce the new curfew.  

Nearly two dozen law enforcement officers were seen patrolling through a Minneapolis neighborhood during the George Floyd protests Saturday

Nearly two dozen law enforcement officers were seen patrolling through a Minneapolis neighborhood during the George Floyd protests Saturday 

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Friday imposed a mandatory nighttime curfew for residents citywide after three nights of protests over the death of George Floyd. 

The curfew prohibits anyone from being in public spaces between 8pm and 6am this weekend.  

In the video, several members of law enforcement can be heard screaming 'go inside now' to direct residents off of the streets. 

Tanya Kerssen, the woman who captured the incident, and at least one other person were watching the scene unfold from the front porch of a home.

Although Kerssen and other witnesses were standing on private property, authorities zeroed in their curfew campaign on them. 

Although the witnesses were at a private residence, officers fired several paint rounds at them on Saturday night

Although the witnesses were at a private residence, officers fired several paint rounds at them on Saturday night

Pictured: One witness running inside a residence after paint rounds were fired
No one at the scene appeared to suffer any severe injuries

Right before officers unleashed paint rounds on the civilians, a cop yelled 'Light 'em up!'

After yelling at the witnesses to go inside several times, one officer instructs the group to 'light 'em up.'

At least two officers appear to begin to fire several rounds of paint projectiles at the group. 

Kressen and the group rush inside while law enforcement is still yelling from outside. 

No one appeared to sustain any serious injuries. 

Of the event, Kressen wrote on Twitter: 'Share widely: National guard and MPD sweeping our residential street. Shooting paint canisters at us on our own front porch. Yelling “light em up”.' 

According to Frey's current order, the curfew does not extend to private residences. 

It states: 'A nighttime curfew is imposed on all public places within the City of Minneapolis, including streets...during curfew hours, all persons must not travel on any public street or in any public place.'

None of the people in the video appeared to be on the street.   

Following Floyd's death, all four officers pictured in cell phone footage of the incident were fired from the Minneapolis Police Department

Following Floyd's death, all four officers pictured in cell phone footage of the incident were fired from the Minneapolis Police Department 

The National Guard said in a statement to Fox 9 that their soldiers were not present during this incident.

'The enforcement officers in this tweet are not members of the Minnesota National Guard,' they said.  

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Minneapolis Police Department, Gov. Tim Walz and the Minneapolis Department of Public Safety for further comment. 

Derek Chauvin (pictured in his mugshot) has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter

Derek Chauvin (pictured in his mugshot) has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter 

The arrival of the National Guard comes as Minneapolis, and several other cities across the country, launch protests against police brutality and systematic racism in law enforcement. 

Last week, cell phone video showed Floyd, handcuffed and pinned to the ground, with one police officer - Derek Chauvin - kneeling on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. 

Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Floyd was unresponsive. 

Floyd, 46, is heard pleading: 'I can't breathe', as he is arrested by four cops for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. He later died at a local hospital. 

Outrage sparked across the country and Minneapolis Mayor Mayor Jacob called for Chauvin to face criminal charges. 

All four officers involved were subsequently fired. On Friday, Chauvin was was officially charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter over Floyd's death. 

Protests have since popped up in several US cities, including Minneapolis, New York City, Atlanta, Phoenix, Columbus, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

On Saturday, demonstrations erupted across the US as police cruisers were torched, buildings burnt and ongoing clashes with police  

At least three people were killed during demonstrations and dozens more were injured. 

In Minneapolis, protesters were seen fleeing after cops hurled tear gas into the crowds while some responded by launching fireworks back at officers.

Pictured: People run during a demonstration against the death in Minneapolis police custody of African-American man George Floyd in Minneapolis

Pictured: People run during a demonstration against the death in Minneapolis police custody of African-American man George Floyd in Minneapolis

Several protests have launched across the United States over the death of George Floyd

Several protests have launched across the United States over the death of George Floyd

The National Guard was activated to defend the White House from attack as the Secret Service agents on the ground struggled to keep control of crowds descending on the seat of the US government. 

The Big Apple was ablaze as NYPD vehicles were torched and ransacked while shocking footage emerged of cops violently detaining protesters.

A man was left critically injured in Dallas when he was attacked and stomped on by a group of people when he allegedly tried to defend a store with a large sword.

In Atlanta a cop suffered 'significant injuries' when they were hit by an ATV, while in Chicago, a man commandeered a police horse and rode off on it.

Los Angeles deployed the National Guard for the first since the 1992 riots when the police officers who beat up black man Rodney King walked free of all charges and California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in LA County. 

Pictured: People stand near a burning building during protests sparked by the death of George Floyd while in police custody

Pictured: People stand near a burning building during protests sparked by the death of George Floyd while in police custody

As some protests turned violent, city officials in Minnesota deployed the National Guard

As some protests turned violent, city officials in Minnesota deployed the National Guard

Pictured:Raymond Curry attends a protest outside the Minneapolis 5th Police Precinct while wearing a protective mask that reads 'I CAN'T BREATHE' on Saturday

Pictured:Raymond Curry attends a protest outside the Minneapolis 5th Police Precinct while wearing a protective mask that reads 'I CAN'T BREATHE' on Saturday 

Minnesota - where Floyd died - has born the brunt of the protests which began there Tuesday before fanning out across the country.

Rioting was still going on in the early hours of Sunday, with the Minneapolis police department reporting a big group of protesters on foot and in vehicles throwing missiles of some sort at cops.

Minnesota Dept of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell announced early Sunday there had been 'dozens' of arrests through the night but no 'substantive' injuries.

The Minnesota National Guard announced at around 10:30p.m it was sending 10,800 troops in to tackle protests Saturday night, as pleas for people to observe curfews fell on deaf ears.

The Minnesota National Guard said on Twitter it already had more than 4,100 citizen-soldiers and airmen already in the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and was ramping it up to a staggering 10,800.

There were just 700 on duty on Friday.

People marching from Minneapolis to St. Paul were also met with tear gas from officers stopping them in their tracks and sending masses fleeing from the potent chemical.      

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2020-05-31 20:07:22Z
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New surveillance video appears to show George Floyd in a violent struggle with police - Daily Mail

New surveillance video shows George Floyd in struggle with cops in back of police car BEFORE being pulled out and 'killed' by officer Derek Chauvin

  • New video appears to show George Floyd, 46, in a violent struggle with police
  • Clip was posted by activist Shaun King who said: 'Police were in the car beating the sh** out of George Floyd'
  • White officer Derek Chauvin was captured on video kneeling on Floyd's neck
  • Floyd, 46, fell unconscious and died, and Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter

Shocking new surveillance video appears to show George Floyd in a violent struggle with Minneapolis police before his death.

Floyd can't be seen in the footage, but one cop can be seen leaning through the back door and visibly struggling with him. 

The clip was posted by activist Shaun King, who wrote: 'BREAKING: Just got this new video. It’s all coming together. Police were in the car beating the sh** out of George Floyd. One stands watch, while the others attacked him.'

Floyd can't be seen in the footage, but one cop can be seen leaning through the back door and visibly struggling with him

Floyd can't be seen in the footage, but one cop can be seen leaning through the back door and visibly struggling with him

One officer can be seen leaning into the car while another looks on

One officer can be seen leaning into the car while another looks on

Later, white officer Derek Chauvin was captured on video by a bystander kneeling on Floyd's neck as he begged for air.

Floyd, 46, fell unconscious and died, and Chauvin, 44, has since been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, which are filed in cases of unintentional death.

Chauvin also was accused of ignoring another officer who expressed concerns about Floyd, a black man, as he lay handcuffed on the ground. 

Floyd´s family attorney Ben Crump says he thinks more serious murder charges should be filed against the officer.

Crump says he believes there's enough evidence to show the officer's actions were premeditated. 

Crump told CBS: 'We don´t understand how that is not first-degree murder.'

George Floyd's (pictured)
George Floyd's (pictured)

Floyd´s family attorney Ben Crump says he thinks more serious murder charges should be filed against Derek Chauvin

White officer Derek Chauvin was captured on video by a bystander kneeling on Floyd's neck as he begged for air

White officer Derek Chauvin was captured on video by a bystander kneeling on Floyd's neck as he begged for air

According to the complaint, Chauvin had his knee on Floyd´s neck for eight minutes, including nearly three minutes after he stopped moving and talking.

An autopsy said the combined effects of being restrained, potential intoxicants in Floyd´s system and his underlying health issues, including heart disease, likely contributed to his death.

Floyd's death has sparked protests nationwide.

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2020-05-31 19:59:37Z
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'Racism is real virus': Protesters ignore COVID risk as 11 held in London rally against racial violence - Sky News

Thousands of people gathered in central London on Sunday as the protests in American cities spread to the UK.

The protesters were supporting Americans angry about violence suffered by black people at the hands of police in the US, a feeling galvanised by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Mr Floyd died after a police officer put his knee on the unarmed black man's neck for more than eight minutes despite him warning that he could not breathe.

In London, protesters chanted: "No justice, no peace!" and waved placards saying "How many more?" referring to the list of black Americans who have died after encounters with police. Others shouted: "Get your knees off our necks".

Demonstrators ignored social distancing rules as they gathered at Trafalgar Square and marched to the US Embassy, where a long line of police surrounded the building.

Eleven arrests were made in total, with five outside the embassy.

In a brief statement, the Metropolitan Police said the offences included possession of an offensive weapon, assault on police, obstructing a public carriageway and breaches of coronavirus legislation.

More from George Floyd

Some of those arrested were between the ages of 17 and 25 years old and have been taken into custody.

Sky reporter Emma Birchley was at the event, titled Kneel for Floyd, and she said that at exactly 1pm, the protesters dropped to their knees, most wearing masks as directed by the organisers.

Among the protesters was Nina Mahonty, an American of South Asian descent, who has lived in London for six years.

Breaking down as she spoke, Nina said: "I am struggling watching my country burn and there is nothing I can do from here so this was the next best thing.

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"I know it's precarious because coronavirus is going on right now but if coronavirus doesn't take the lives of our black brothers and sisters, then the police will."

Also among the demonstrators was Ugonna, a young black Londoner.

"When we come here and congregate we know what we are saying regardless of coronavirus," he said.

"The real virus is racism.

"What has been going on is testament to society right now. Society is messed up."

A woman is led away by police during a Black Lives Matter protest outside the US Embassy in London
Image: A woman was led away by police outside the embassy

Protesters also marched to Grenfell Tower in north west London, the scene of a fire which killed 72 people in 2017. Most of the victims were black or ethnic minorities.

One protester wrote "Black Lives Matter" on the memorial at the base of the tower block, as others watched on in silence before applauding.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said accusations of excessive force by police are taken "extremely seriously".

He said: "The death of George Floyd has rightly ignited fury and anguish not just in the USA but around the world. No country, city, police force or institution can be complacent about racism and the impact this has.

"Any accusations of excessive force used by police in London are taken extremely seriously by the Met Police and myself.

"The Met Police understand that community trust and engagement has to be continually and consistently earned and worked on together."

The National Black Police Association UK said Mr Floyd's death had been "swelling simmering tensions" as it called for racism to be understood as a "public health crisis" shared by the US and UK.

"At a time when we are grappling with the harsh reality that decades of structural and institutional racism has made us fodder not only to the disproportionate use of force in policing but also to COVID-19," the statement said.

"Surely, now is the time for us to scramble to rid the world of the scourge of racism, structural and institutional with the same intensity as shown to COVID-19.

"If we do not, what happened to George Floyd and the others before him, will yet again be shunted tothe annals of race and policing history and what happened to George Floyd and thereaction to it, will be repeated across the world."

People hold placards as they join a spontaneous Black Lives Matter march through central London to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and in support of the demonstrations in North America on May 31, 2020 in London, England
Image: People held placards as they joined a Black Lives Matter march through central London

A police officer has been sacked and charged with third-degree murder following Mr Floyd's death.

Earlier on Sunday, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said video footage of Mr Floyd's death was "very distressing", but he would not comment on president Donald Trump's response to the protests, which include the US president tweeting: "When the looting starts, the shooting starts".

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2020-05-31 18:44:52Z
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George Floyd death: Lawyer calls it 'premeditated murder' - BBC News

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A lawyer for the family of George Floyd, whose death sparked unrest across the US, has accused a police officer of "premeditated murder".

Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder, but lawyer Benjamin Crump told CBS news it was a case of first-degree murder.

"We think that he had intent... almost nine minutes he kept his knee in a man's neck that was begging and pleading for breath," he said.

Several US cities have imposed curfews.

The Floyd case has reignited US anger over police killings of black Americans. It follows the high-profile cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Eric Garner in New York and others that have driven the Black Lives Matter movement.

"The fact that officer Chauvin kept his knee on his neck for almost three minutes after he was unconscious. We don't understand how that was not first degree murder. We don't understand how all these officers haven't been arrested," lawyer Crump said.

Three other officers present at the time have also since been sacked.

For many the outrage over George Floyd's death also reflects years of frustration over socioeconomic inequality and segregation, not least in Minneapolis itself.

In video footage, Mr Chauvin, 44, can be seen kneeling on Mr Floyd's neck for several minutes on Monday. Mr Floyd, 46, repeatedly says that he is unable to breathe.

There have been five nights of arson and looting in Minneapolis and the adjacent city of St Paul. Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz said on Saturday he was deploying the full Minnesota National Guard for the first time since World War Two.

Governor Walz said racism in his state had created the conditions for Mr Floyd's death.

The National Guard - the US reserve military force for domestic emergencies - said on Sunday that 5,000 of its personnel had been activated in 15 states and Washington DC. It added that "state and local law enforcement agencies remain responsible for security".

In the CBS interview, lawyer Benjamin Crump also said "we now have the audio from the police bodycam and we hear where one officer says 'he doesn't have a pulse, maybe we should turn him on his side', but yet officer Chauvin says 'no, we're going to keep him in this position'. That's intent.

"Also, the fact that officer Chauvin kept his knee on his neck for almost three minutes after he was unconscious."

The lawyer also said Mr Chauvin and Mr Floyd already knew each other before Mr Floyd's death in custody.

He said the Floyd family was "notified by the owner of a club that Derek Chauvin was an off-duty police officer where George Floyd was a security guard, and so they had to overlap".

What's the latest on the protests?

Huge demonstrations have taken place in at least 30 cities across the US. They were largely peaceful on Saturday, but violence flared later in the day.

One of the cities worst affected by unrest is Los Angeles. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the city and activated the National Guard.

The entire city is under a 20:00 to 05:30 curfew. Numerous shops have been looted, including on the famous retail avenues, Melrose and Fairfax, while overhead footage showed fires burning. Earlier police fired rubber bullets and hit protesters with batons. Hundreds of arrests have been made.

In New York City, police arrested about 350 people overnight and dozens of police suffered light injuries.

In Salt Lake City, a man aimed a bow and arrow at protesters and was attacked by the crowd, Reuters reported.

President Donald Trump's national security adviser told CNN "I don't think there's systemic racism" in the police.

Robert O'Brien said "there are some racist police, I think they're the minority, I think they're the few bad apples and we need to root them out".

On Saturday evening, President Trump said Mr Floyd's death had "filled Americans with horror, anger and grief".

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He also denounced the actions of "looters and anarchists", accusing them of dishonouring the memory of Mr Floyd. What was needed, he said, was "healing not hatred, justice not chaos". "I will not allow angry mobs to dominate - won't happen," he added.

Thousands took part in an anti-racism protest march in central London on Sunday, defying social distancing rules imposed because of coronavirus. They gathered in Trafalgar Square, then the crowd moved on to the US embassy.

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2020-05-31 17:20:30Z
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Celebrities join riot frontline: Halsey, Emily Ratajkowski and Paris Jackson - Daily Mail

Celebrities join riot frontline: Halsey, Anna Kendrick, Emily Ratajkowski and Paris Jackson leave luxury life in lockdown to take part in George Floyd protests

  • Singers Halsey and Yungblud, model Emily Ratajkowski, Jaz Sinclair, former Disney star Ross Lynch, Paris Jackson and 'hot felon' Jeremy Meeks were seen joining protests in California on Saturday
  • Meanwhile many other celebrities were fighting for justice on social media, including Billie Eilish who launched a tirade against 'All Lives Matter' movement
  • Los Angeles has been a hotspot of rage, with hundreds arrested since Friday night at riots over the death of George Floyd which have erupted nationwide 

Celebrities have joined the frontline of the riots, with Halsey, Emily Ratajkowski and Paris Jackson, leaving their lives of luxury to take part in George Floyd protests.

Singers Halsey and Yungblud were spotted at demonstrations in Los Angeles on Saturday. The pair were wearing masks and held signs saying, 'Black Lives Matter,' as they chanted with others.

Model Emily Ratajkowski was also posting regular Instagram updates from the protests in LA. 'DISMANTLE POWER STRUCTURES OF OPPRESSION #defundthepolice #justiceforgeorgefloyd #blacklivesmatter,' she wrote on her slideshow.

Paris Jackson was also out in California, along with Jaz Sinclair, former Disney star Ross Lynch and 'hot felon' Jeremy Meeks.

Meanwhile many other celebrities were fighting for justice on social media, including Billie Eilish who launched a furious tirade against the 'All Lives Matter' movement. 

Back in black: Yungblud (real name: Dominic Harrison) wore a black jacket over his white T-shirt, along with two-tone black and white jeans and and studded black boots

Back in black: Yungblud (real name: Dominic Harrison) wore a black jacket over his white T-shirt, along with two-tone black and white jeans and and studded black boots

United: Paris Jackson (right) at a Black Lives Matter protest in California on Saturday

United: Paris Jackson (right) at a Black Lives Matter protest in California on Saturday

Emily Ratajkowski was also posting regular Instagram updates from the protests in LA. 'DISMANTLE POWER STRUCTURES OF OPPRESSION #defundthepolice #justiceforgeorgefloyd #blacklivesmatter,' she wrote on her slideshow.

Emily Ratajkowski was also posting regular Instagram updates from the protests in LA. 'DISMANTLE POWER STRUCTURES OF OPPRESSION #defundthepolice #justiceforgeorgefloyd #blacklivesmatter,' she wrote on her slideshow.

Light hearted: Anna Kendrick went out to protest with her fellow actress friend Chrissie Fit. The two had on masks, and she joked in the caption that she looked 'f***ing creepy'

Light hearted: Anna Kendrick went out to protest with her fellow actress friend Chrissie Fit. The two had on masks, and she joked in the caption that she looked 'f***ing creepy'

Riots have spread across dozens of States following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on Monday after a white officer knelt on his neck.

Rapper Machine Gun Kelly was also out with friends taking part in the LA demonstrations. He was pictured holding a sign which said: 'Silence is a betrayal.' 

Actor Kendrick Sampson was also posting regular updates to his Instagram feed from the protests.

Horrifying footage showed the Insecure star being struck by police batons and fired at with rubber bullets as screams were heard in the background. 

He is heard asking officers, 'Why are you hitting me,' as cops in riot gear strike him with their batons and shoot him with rubber bullets as he appears to be protesting peacefully. 

Also joining protests in West Hollywood, Madison Beer wore a Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt and carried a Dior saddle bag along with her 'Black Lives Matter' sign.

One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush, who previously posted about Floyd's death on social media, joined in the protests too.

She wore a white shirt reading: 'Officer, I'm lost, I'm looking for the land of the free with equal right for everyone. It's called America.'

In North Carolina, rapper J. Cole was seen joining in the demonstrations against police brutality in downtown Fayetville.

Insecure star Kendrick Sampson was also posting regular updates to his Instagram feed from the protests. In one video he described how the police were trying to disperse the crowds but they had been boxed in.
Insecure star Kendrick Sampson was also posting regular updates to his Instagram feed from the protests. In one video he described how the police were trying to disperse the crowds but they had been boxed in.

Insecure star Kendrick Sampson was also posting regular updates to his Instagram feed from the protests. In one video he described how the police were trying to disperse the crowds but they had been boxed in.

Rapper Machine Gun Kelly was also out with friends taking part in the LA demonstrations. He was pictured holding a sign which said: 'Silence is a betrayal.'

Rapper Machine Gun Kelly was also out with friends taking part in the LA demonstrations. He was pictured holding a sign which said: 'Silence is a betrayal.'

Masked and anonymous: Although it's a common tactic for some protestors to wear masks to avoid targeting by law enforcement, most of the crowd covered up due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
Playing it safe: Halsey, like many other protestors, had her cell phone handy in order to document any potential wrongdoing

Masked and anonymous: Although it's a common tactic for some protestors to wear masks to avoid targeting by law enforcement, most of the crowd covered up due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

Also in the crowd were Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina's Skye P. Marshall, along with her co-stars Jaz Sinclair and Ross Lynch (center)

Also in the crowd were Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina's Skye P. Marshall, along with her co-stars Jaz Sinclair and Ross Lynch (center) 

Paris Jackson (left and right) holds a sign saying 'Peace, Love, Justice,' at a demonstration in California on Saturday
Paris Jackson (left and right) holds a sign saying 'Peace, Love, Justice,' at a demonstration in California on Saturday

Paris Jackson (left and right) holds a sign saying 'Peace, Love, Justice,' at a demonstration in California on Saturday

Helping out: Elsewhere in Los Angeles, Jeremy Meeks, known as the 'hot felon,' joined the protests. He raised his fist in solidarity

Helping out: Elsewhere in Los Angeles, Jeremy Meeks, known as the 'hot felon,' joined the protests. He raised his fist in solidarity

Los Angeles deployed the National Guard for the first since the 1992 riots when the police officers who beat up black man Rodney King walked free of all charges and California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in LA County.   

The calling in of around 500-700 National Guard troops also came just hours after Mayor Eric Garcetti said he would stop short of calling for their activation. 

'This isn't 1992,' Garcetti had said Saturday afternoon, referring to the move made by officials during the 1992 riots after the Rodney King when all police officers involved in violently beating up the black man were acquitted.     

He had already announced a curfew in downtown LA starting 8pm Saturday through to 5.30am Sunday, in desperate efforts to restore some order as he urged both law enforcement and protesters to 'take a deep breath and step back for a moment'. 

In downtown, protesters sprayed graffiti and torched police cruisers while officers shot rubber bullets into crowds and were seen beating demonstrators with batons.  

This marked the fourth night of protests for LA after it became one of the first cities to start a break-off protest Tuesday over Floyd's killing. 

Curfews were also announced in other California cities including San Francisco, where the mayor called for the National Guard to be put on standby. 

Outspoken: Stepping out for a good cause, the Aussie beauty opted for a black sleeveless singlet top and she covered her face and nose with a red bandana

Outspoken: Stepping out for a good cause, the Aussie beauty opted for a black sleeveless singlet top and she covered her face and nose with a red bandana

Activist: The 24-year-old brunette was seen holding a homemade sign which read: 'If you stand for nothing you fall for anything.'
Out for a good cause: Actress Jaz Sinclair (pictured) covered up her face with a red bandana as she stepped out to support the Black Lives Matter protest in LA on Saturday

Activist: The 24-year-old brunette was seen holding a homemade sign which read: 'If you stand for nothing you fall for anything.'

Growing crowd: One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush previously posted about George Floyd's death, so she joined the protests on Saturday

Growing crowd: One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush previously posted about George Floyd's death, so she joined the protests on Saturday

Taking part: Madison Beer wore a Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt and carried a Dior saddle bag while joining the demonstrations in West Hollywood

Taking part: Madison Beer wore a Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt and carried a Dior saddle bag while joining the demonstrations in West Hollywood

Eilish's Instagram post is the latest in a slew of shares from the Grammy-winning artist, 18, in the wake of Floyd's death.

In the series of text screens, Eilish begin by writing, 'I’ve been trying to take this week to figure out a way to address this delicately. I have an enourmous [sic] platform and I try really hard to be respectful and take time to think through what I say and how I say it… But holy f**king s**t I’m gonna just start talking.

'If I hear one more person say "aLL liVeS maTtEr" one more f**king time I’m gonna lose my f**king mind,' the Bad Guy hitmaker continued. 

'Will you shut the f**k uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup???? No one is saying your life doesn’t matter. No one is saying your life is not hard.

Los Angeles: LA Mayor Eric Garcetti deployed the National Guard to the city and mobilized its entire police department as part of its emergency response

Los Angeles: LA Mayor Eric Garcetti deployed the National Guard to the city and mobilized its entire police department as part of its emergency response

Los Angeles, California: Firefighters put out a fire in a looted store set on fire on Melrose during curfew as thousands of protesters take the street to demonstrate following the death of George Floyd

Los Angeles, California: Firefighters put out a fire in a looted store set on fire on Melrose during curfew as thousands of protesters take the street to demonstrate following the death of George Floyd

'I'm just gonna start talking': The post is the latest in a slew of shares from Billie Eilish in the wake of the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of police officers on Monday

'I'm just gonna start talking': The post is the latest in a slew of shares from Billie Eilish in the wake of the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of police officers on Monday

'If I hear one more person say "aLL liVeS maTtEr" one more f**king time I’m gonna lose my f**king mind,' the Bad Guy hitmaker said in her letter. 'This is not about you'

'If I hear one more person say "aLL liVeS maTtEr" one more f**king time I’m gonna lose my f**king mind,' the Bad Guy hitmaker said in her letter. 'This is not about you' 

Towards the end of the missive: Eilish got to the heart of the matter, explaining why the Black Lives Matter movement is so necessary and the idea of 'All Lives Matter' is antithetical to it

Towards the end of the missive: Eilish got to the heart of the matter, explaining why the Black Lives Matter movement is so necessary and the idea of 'All Lives Matter' is antithetical to it

Moved: Saturday saw another post from Billie in support of #BlackLivesMatter, which she captioned, 'I want things to be different'

Moved: Saturday saw another post from Billie in support of #BlackLivesMatter, which she captioned, 'I want things to be different'

'No one is saying literally anything at all about you…. all you mfs do is find a way to make everything about yourself. This is not about you. Stop making everything about you. You are not in need. You are not in danger,' Billie added pointedly.

She went on in the post to draw some rather childlike analogies ('because IT FEELS LIKE THATS THE ONLY WAY YOU MFS WILL UNDERSTAND,' she said) about a person's arm being cut, or house being on fire, and how no one would expect a bandaid to be put on all arms or for the 'fire department to go to every other house on the block first because all houses matter'. 

'No!', Eilish wrote. 'Because they don’t f**king need it. You are privileged whether you like it or not. Society gives you privilege just for being white. You can be poor, you can be struggling.. and still your skin color is giving you more privilege than you even realize.'

Towards the end of the missive, Eilish got to the heart of the matter, explaining why the Black Lives Matter movement is so necessary and the idea of 'All Lives Matter' is antithetical to it.

'The slogan of #BlackLivesMatter does not mean other lives don’t,' she wrote. 'It’s calling attention to the fact that society clearly thinks black lives don’t f**king matter!!!!! And they f**king do!!!!!'  

She finished her letter with a repetition of the phrase, 'Black Lives Matter,' and ended with the hashtag #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd.

The post comes after another fiery share from the singer, which was in response to Donald Trump's tweets about the protests erupting in Minneapolis and around the country after this latest killing of an unarmed African-American.

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2020-05-31 17:02:39Z
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