Curfew Imposed In US Cities Amid Tense Protests Over George Floyd Killing

After a volatile Friday night, fires burned, and tear gas canisters flew in Minneapolis, where Floyd died on Monday. A curfew went back in effect in Minneapolis on Saturday at 8 p.m. after the city braced for another night of unrest.

Image: AFP

New Delhi: After a wave of tense protests in response to the death of George Floyd, an African American unarmed black man, curfew has been imposed around the United States on Saturday. The violence happened across America from coast to coast and from big cities to small ones. Near Union Square, in the heart of Manhattan, a police vehicle was on fire, sending plumes of black smoke into the air. In Los Angeles, a police post was burned in a shopping mall while nearby shops were looted. In Nashville, Tennessee, a historic courthouse was set on fire, and in Salt Lake City, Utah, vehicles were burned and a man with a bow and arrow was arrested after he aimed it at protesters. In New York, cars were set ablaze as throngs marched down the streets. In Seattle, smoke filled the air as police in riot gear lined the streets. After a volatile Friday night, fires burned, and tear gas canisters flew in Minneapolis, where Floyd died on Monday. A curfew went back in effect in Minneapolis on Saturday at 8 p.m. after the city braced for another night of unrest.

 "By being out tonight & breaking the 8 pm curfew, you are helping the people using crowds as cover to prey on Minneapolis & destroy community," Mayor Jacob Frey wrote on twitter. The city was also under curfew on Friday night.

Frey said the governor has "fully mobilized" the Minnesota National Guard to respond to demonstrations in the city on Saturday. Violating curfew is punishable by up to a $1000 fine and 90 days in jail, the mayor's emergency regulation said.

At least 25 cities have imposed curfews and numerous states activated National Guard forces in anticipation of another night of protests, sparked in part by the death of Floyd.

Derek Chauvin, the police officer filmed kneeling on Floyd’s neck, was arrested Friday and charged with murder and manslaughter.  Protesters are demanding the arrest of three other off. The anger in response to Floyd’s killing descended into rioting and looting in several cities.

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