George Floyd protests

"Twin Cities protests" redirects here. For the Twin Cities civil unrest in 2016, see Shooting of Philando Castile § Protests and civil unrest. For the April 2020 anti-lockdown protests in St. Paul, see 2020 United States anti-lockdown protests § Minnesota.

George Floyd protests
Part of Police brutality in the United States
A collection of various protest scenes in Minneapolis–Saint Paul From top, left to right: A protester standing on a damaged police vehicle, protesters with raised fists outside the Minneapolis Police's 3rd Precinct, protesters overtaking and burning the precinct, protesters confronting police, armored police with military accompaniment, and demonstrators on a torched street with firefighters working in the background.
Date	May 26, 2020 – present (4 years, 5 months, 1 week and 5 days)
Location	Nationwide United States (protests started in Twin Cities, Minnesota) Other cities worldwide in solidarity
Caused by	The killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Department Police brutality Institutional racism against minorities Economic, racial and social inequality Racial profiling
Methods	Demonstrations, civil disobedience, civil resistance, looting, assault, arson and property damage
Status	Ongoing
Deaths, injuries and arrests
Death(s)	8
Injuries	Unknown
Arrested	1,669+

The George Floyd protests and riots are an ongoing series of protest and demonstrations in the United States that initially started in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area of Minnesota before spreading nationwide. The protests began in Minneapolis on May 26, 2020, after George Floyd died shortly after Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds during an arrest the prior night.

Protests at the MPD's Third Precinct saw some demonstrators skirmishing with law enforcement officers, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets. On May 27, a man was fatally shot by a pawn shop owner who thought the man was looting, and the Third Precinct's windows were smashed. Multiple stores were looted, and other buildings were attacked and set ablaze.

For several days following Floyd's death, hundreds of protesters gathered at the driveway of Chauvin's house, which prompted police response. On May 28, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey declared a state of emergency, and 500 Minnesota National Guard troops were called in by Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz. By the morning more businesses across the Twin Cities were damaged and looted. MPD in the Third Precinct building attempted to hold off the protesters with tear gas, but at around 11:00 p.m., protesters overran the building and set it ablaze after it was evacuated. The protests continued into May 30. Tim Walz, Jacob Frey, and Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter imposed curfews. President Donald Trump assured Walz of military support if needed.

As of May 31, there were simultaneous protests in over 100 other cities in the United States and internationally supporting those seeking justice for Floyd as well as speaking out against excessive police brutality. Major cities with protests included Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Charlotte; Chicago; Columbus; Dallas; Denver; Fort Lauderdale; Indianapolis; Jacksonville; Los Angeles; Miami; New York City; Phoenix; Portland, Oregon; Richmond, Virginia; San Francisco; Seattle; Salt Lake City; and Washington, D.C.. On May 31, at least 12 major cities declared a curfew on Saturday evening, and governors in 12 states (including Minnesota) had called in the National Guard.

Background

History of police brutality in the United States

Further information: Police brutality in the United States

The numerous cases of fatal use of force by law enforcement officers have been a flashpoint for debates about police brutality in the United States. Various movements have protested against the lack of police accountability in incidents involving the use of excessive force. The Watts riots in 1965, resulting in the death of 34, was a response to excessive use of police brutality during the Civil rights movement. In recent times these have included - among many others - the 1967 Newark riots, the 1967 Detroit riot, the 1990 Wynwood riot, the 1992 Los Angeles riots, the 2014 Ferguson unrest, the 2016 shooting of Philando Castile in Minnesota and the death of Eric Garner in New York City, who, similarly to George Floyd, said, "I can't breathe." In early 2020, well publicized examples included the shooting of Breonna Taylor of Kentucky in March and the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia in February, though nobody was charged in Arbery's case until video of his death was released in May.

COVID-19 pandemic

Further information: Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota

Measures taken against the growing COVID-19 pandemic, including closure of non-essential businesses and implementation of a stay-at-home order, had significant economic and social impact on many Americans as millions lost their jobs and were made more economically vulnerable. Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota, was of the opinion that people "have been cooped up for two months, and so now they're in a different space and a different place. They're restless. Some of them have been unemployed, some of them don't have rent money, and they're angry, they're frustrated."

In April anti-lockdown protests were held in several U.S. states, including Minnesota, calling governors to lift some restrictions and start "re-opening the country."

Death of George Floyd

Main article: Death of George Floyd

Memorial at the site of Floyd's death

On May 25, 2020, at 8:08 p.m. CDT, MPD officers responded to a 9-1-1 call regarding a "forgery in progress" on Chicago Avenue South in the Powderhorn neighborhood of Minneapolis. According to police, George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, was in a nearby car and "appeared to be under the influence." A spokesman for the police department said the officers ordered him to exit the vehicle, at which point he "physically resisted." A video taken by a bystander shows Floyd being removed from his vehicle without any resistance.

According to the MPD, officers "were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress. Officers called for an ambulance." However, a Facebook Live livestream recorded by a bystander showed that Derek Chauvin, a 48-year-old white police officer, had pinned Floyd on the ground and was kneeling on his neck. Floyd repeatedly tells Chauvin "Please" and "I can't breathe," while a bystander is heard telling the police officer, "You got him down. Let him breathe." After some time, a bystander points out that Floyd was bleeding from his nose while another bystander tells the police that Floyd is "not even resisting arrest right now," to which the police tell the bystanders that Floyd was "talking, he's fine." A bystander replies saying Floyd "ain't fine." A bystander then protests that the police were preventing Floyd from breathing, urging them to "get him off the ground ... You could have put him in the car by now. He's not resisting arrest or nothing." Floyd then goes silent and motionless. An ambulance arrives and Chauvin does not remove his knee until emergency medical services put Floyd on a stretcher. Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for about seven minutes (including four minutes after Floyd stopped moving) but another video showed an additional two officers had also knelt on Floyd while another officer watched.

Medics were unable to detect a pulse, and Floyd was pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy of Floyd was conducted on May 26, and the next day, the preliminary report by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office was published, stating "no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation." Floyd's underlying health conditions included coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease. The report said that "[t]he combined effects of Mr. Floyd being restrained by the police, his underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death."

Video footage of the incident generated widespread national attention and raised questions about the appropriate use of force by law enforcement.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul protests

Main article: George Floyd protests in Minnesota

Protests began around midday on May 26, the day after Floyd's death. The protests continued into May 27. A state of emergency was declared in Minneapolis on May 28 by Mayor Jacob Frey, and 500 Minnesota National Guard troops were deployed to the Twin Cities area. By morning, more than 30 businesses in Minneapolis had been damaged by rioters. The Saint Paul Police Department reported that 170 businesses were damaged or looted on Thursday, and dozens of fires started. There was no police, fire, or EMS presence in the area where the riots occurred from around 10:00 p.m. CDT on May 28 into the early hours of May 29. Later that morning at 5:11 am CDT, CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, who is of African-American and Colombian descent, and camera crew were arrested by Minnesota State Patrol officers as Jimenez reported live on television.

On May 29, Walz imposed a curfew for the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul that would run from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also issued a similar curfew. Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter on May 29. Despite the announcement of the charges and the new curfew, riots broke out again on Friday night and well into early Saturday morning. Law enforcement presence was reportedly "undetectable," as violence in Minneapolis quickly expanded until just before midnight, when police officers, state troopers, and members of the National Guard began confronting rioters with tear gas and mass force.

As of May 30, 2,500 officers were deployed and 50 people have been arrested in relation to the protests. Major General Jon Jensen of the Minnesota National Guard said that by May 31, over 1,700 National Guard soldiers could be deployed. This would be the largest national deployment in the state's history. Jensen confirmed that 2,500 Guards would be deployed by noon. The 4,100 troops of the Minnesota National Guard is scheduled to increase to 10,800 on May 31.

Protests elsewhere

Main article: List of George Floyd protests

Minneapolis

Albuquerque

Atlanta

Austin

Bakersfield

Bemidji

Bethlehem

Boston

Buffalo

Burlington

Camden

Canton

Charlotte

Chicago

Cincinnati

Cleveland

Columbus

Dallas

Denver

Des Moines

Detroit

Duluth

Englewood

Erie

Eugene

Fargo

Grand Rapids

Hartford

Houston

Jacksonville

Kansas City

Knoxville

Las Vegas

La Mesa

Lancaster

Little Rock

Los Angeles

Louisville

Manassas

Miami

Missoula

Montpelier

Newark, N.J.

Oakland

Ogden

Oklahoma City

Omaha

Orange

Petal

Philadelphia

Phoenix

Pittsburgh

Portland, ME

Portland, OR

Raleigh

Reno

Sacramento

Salt Lake City

San Antonio

San Jose

Santa Fe

Seattle

Santa Rosa

South Bend

Springfield

St. Cloud

St. Louis

St. Paul

St. Petersburg

Tallahassee

Tampa

Temple Terrace

Tulsa

Windermere

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Cities with over 100 protesters as of May 30, 2020

There were simultaneous protests in over 100 cities in the United States and internationally, with demonstrators supporting those seeking justice for Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, and speaking out against police brutality. Cities with major protests included Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, Phoenix, Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The bulk of these protests were peaceful, but many of them turned violent as the violence in the Twin Cities riots increased.

United States

Protest march in Baltimore on May 30

• Baltimore, Maryland: Protesters gathered outside Baltimore's city hall on Saturday night, for the second night. Protesters were mainly peaceful with some reports of arrests and a police car window smashed. A car caravan protest also occurred.
• Columbia, South Carolina: A march occurred on May 30 at the statehouse.

Protestors in Des Moines, Iowa

• Des Moines, Iowa: Hundreds of protesters clashed with police downtown on May 30. Some protesters threw bottles, rocks, bricks, and fire crackers at officers. Some were also seen smashing windows of a Hilltop Tire service and then going inside. The federal courthouse had its doors and windows broken. Tear gas and pepper spray were used.
• Honolulu, Hawaii: More than 100 protesters gathered in front of the State Capitol.
• Las Vegas, Nevada: Hundreds of protesters gathered on the strip leading to 80 arrests, including two journalists, and the injuries of twelve police officers. Some protesters threw water bottles and rocks at the police.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Hundreds gathered on the steps of the State Capitol for a peaceful protest on May 30. Organizer Zaria McClinton stated that "we’re out here for peace, we're out here for justice. We're out here for the voices that can't speak, that can no longer speak." A new mural was also added on West 7th Street.
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Dozens of protesters blocked highways and organized a vehicle procession that traveled several miles on May 30. There were reports of looting and mild arson at a Walgreen's pharmacy, as well as the looting of a Boost Mobile store. Several other businesses were damaged. One police officer was mildly injured by gunfire. Protests over the killing of Joel Acevedo by an off-duty Milwaukee police officer were prompted by the George Floyd protests.
• Missoula, Montana: Hundreds of people peacefully protested outside the Missoula County Courthouse as reported on May 29.
• New Orleans, Louisiana: On Friday, May 29, about 50 people protested at the intersection of North Claiborne and Esplanade Avenues; the demonstration continued for several hours.
• Phoenix, Arizona: Hundreds protested on a May 28 and 29, with the police using pepper spray and tear gas. Protesters allegedly destroyed windows and doors to the Arizona Federal Theater and a City of Phoenix government building, as well as several other municipal and private businesses and parked cars. Some lit fireworks and fired shots into the air.
• Portland, Maine: Hundreds of people protested peacefully downtown on May 29. One group blocked Franklin Street. There was no evidence of violence and no arrests were made.

Protesters in Washington, D.C.'s Lafayette Square facing a line of military police in front of the White House on the night of May 30

• Washington, D.C.: The White House was on lockdown the night of May 29 in response to protests reaching the gates. The protests begun at 7:00 p.m. By 8:30 p.m. the White House lockdown was lifted as protesters began to leave. At 10:00 p.m. the protesters returned however by 3:30 am on May 30 the protesters were more subdued. The protesters came into conflict with the Secret Service. At times, the protesters got close enough to inflict minor injuries on certain officers. At one point the protesters were pepper sprayed. President Donald Trump responded to the protesters with a tweet saying that they would have been attacked by "vicious dogs." On May 30, The Secret Service reported that six people were arrested in Lafayette Park the previous night. However, this contradicts an earlier tweet from President Trump in which he criticized Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser for lack of involvement. Protesters gathered around the White House again on May 30. Police vehicles soon became damaged with one protester graffitiing "words disparaging the President."
• Wilmington, Delaware: Protesters blocked part of I-95 for several hours as reported on May 30. The protests were led by Black Lives Matter and Food Not Bombs. In the evening, several businesses in downtown were looted including a jewelry store and local restaurants. A police vehicle and personal vehicles of local residents were smashed.

Alabama

• Birmingham: An estimated 1,000 people gathered on May 30 for a rally and march.
• Hoover: A march occurred along U.S. Route 31 on May 30; 20 people were arrested.
• Huntsville: Protesters marched through downtown on May 30.
• Montgomery: Hundreds of people protested on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol on May 30.
• Opelika: A crowd protested downtown.

Alaska

• Anchorage: Hundreds of people protested peacefully midtown, and about a hundred people peacefully protested downtown.
• Fairbanks: Over 400 people protested peacefully in a march from Veteran's Memorial Park to Golden Heart Plaza.
• Juneau: About 250 people protested peacefully in a park downtown.

California

Northern California

Protestors in Oakland, California on May 29

An Asian American protesting in solidarity in Oakland

A fire in the middle of an Oakland street on May 29

• Oakland: On May 29, hundreds of protesters gathered near the Oakland Police Department headquarters in downtown Oakland. Some protesters set off fireworks and threw bottles at police. Police fired flash-bang grenades and tear gas at the crowd. Many businesses in the area were ransacked or had their windows smashed. Several dozen protesters blocked traffic on Interstate 880, stopping traffic in both directions for about half an hour. Oakland police department reported arrests but didn't provide any specific details. Two Federal Protective Services officers were shot during the riot, one of whom died. This incident was labelled by Department of Homeland Security Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli as an "act of domestic terrorism." In addition, six police officers and seven civilians were injured in clashes elsewhere in the city.
• Sacramento: Hundreds of people protested peacefully on Franklin Boulevard. A group of protesters jumped onto Highway 99 southbound at the 12th Avenue overpass and traffic. On May 30 protesters blocked part of I-5 and marched downtown.
• San Francisco: A protest was planned at the UN Plaza the afternoon of May 30. The city was placed under curfew from Saturday night to Sunday morning.
• San Jose: On May 29, hundreds of protesters blocked traffic on Highway 101, then marched to City Hall. At Highway 101 some people in the group were seen attacking vehicles. One man was filmed smashing a car's window while a woman pulled on the doors and yelled at the occupants to get out. Protesters also blocked Interstate 880. Some threw bottles and rocks and launched firecrackers at police, injuring some officers. Two protesters were injured in a vehicle-ramming attack; the driver was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Many businesses and properties had their windows smashed and were ransacked. Some rioters also used graffiti to vandalize. One crowd started a fire on Broadway and fed it with debris and construction barricades. One officer was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries, and several others received scrapes or bruises. 38 arrests were made that day.
• Santa Rosa: Hundreds of protesters marched from downtown Santa Rosa to Mendocino Avenue. The protesting continued onto a ramp of the U.S. Route 101, and police deployed tear gas.
• Vallejo: About 100 protesters marched from Wilson Park to the Vallejo Police Department station on May 28.

Southern California

University of California, Santa Barbara on May 30

• Bakersfield: Hundreds of people protested in Downtown Bakersfield on Friday. Rioters vandalized a Fallen Officer memorial and threw rocks and bottles at officers. A group of around 200-300 protesters blocked traffic on Truxtun Avenue. 10 people were arrested. A 31-year-old man, Michael Tran, ran his car into protesters, striking a 15-year-old. Tran was arrested for attempted murder.
• Beverly Hills, California: On May 30, 2020, protesters entered the city. Protesters chanted "Eat the rich." Protesters spray painted store fronts. Protesters broke into stores and looted. The city curfew was being imposed starting at 8 p.m.
• Fontana: One hundred protesters took to the streets of downtown Fontana. Rioters blocked traffic on Sierra Avenue and threw rocks and bottles at cars and buildings. Some threw bottles at police. Nine arrests were made for vandalism of cars, buildings, and the Fontana City Hall.
• La Mesa: Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the La Mesa Police Department on May 29 following another local viral video of the Wednesday arrest of a young black man at the San Diego Trolley station at Grossmont Transit Center, which resulted in a white officer being put on leave. Marchers say they felt compelled in light of what's happening nationally. On May 30 around 2:00 p.m., about 1,000 protesters started at the police station and took to the streets, breaking through a police line and making their way to Interstate 8, where they blocked both sides of traffic. Back at the police station, graffiti was scrawled on the walls and some people threw rocks and bottles. Around 6 p.m., police began using tear gas, pepper balls, flash-bang, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. At about 8 p.m., looting began at a nearby Vons and Play It Again Sports, and fires were started at Vons and in downtown La Mesa at Chase Bank and Union Bank. A car is alleged to have run over pedestrians downtown.
• Los Angeles: Protesters blocked traffic and threw rocks at the windows of businesses and passing vehicles. They also set off fireworks which hit several buildings. Looters broke into several stores and stole items such as televisions and jewelry. Buildings were also spray painted. A Starbucks had its windows smashed and painted with slogans such as "End Racism" and "Brown Power Unite." Other damaged and looted businesses included a CVS and a Whole Foods. Thousands of protesters converged on the 110 Freeway, shutting it down temporarily. Several protesters scuffled with police, which resulted in two officer injuries. Police begun to use batons and rubber bullets against the protesters. Protestors protested on May 30 at Pan Pacific Park located on Beverly Boulevard near the tony shopping center The Grove. Police and protestors stopped traffic and cars exploded on live national news. On May 31 California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency alongside authorizing assistance.
• Orange: On May 30, hundreds marched at the Orange Plaza.
• San Diego: On May 30, a car caravan organized by the "Racial Justice Coalition" drove through the Point Loma neighborhood. They intended to deliver a message to Mayor Kevin Faulconer at his home, but San Diego Police had barricaded the street.

Colorado

"I can't breathe" graffiti on the walls of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver

• Boulder: On Friday evening, May 29, about 50 people participated in a "kneel-in" protest at the Municipal Building for about an hour. On Saturday, May 30, an estimated 500 participated in a protest at Central Park and a march east to 28th Street, briefly occupying the main road in both directions.
• Denver: On Thursday evening, May 28, protesters gathered at the Colorado State Capitol, then marched for several hours, blocking traffic on Interstate 25 and later returned to the Capitol. Multiple gunshots were fired there, and police also fired rubber bullets and shot gas canisters at the crowd. Several properties were damaged. Some protesters also crowded onto 16th Street Mall and toward Interstate 25 via 20th Street and blocked traffic. One video appears to show a vehicle intentionally hitting a protester who had gotten onto the hood of the car. It is not clear what occurred before this—according to the woman who filmed the incident, the man jumped on top of the vehicle before she began filming. Three police officers were injured in clashes with protesters, one of whom had to go to a hospital. None of the injuries were life-threatening. In addition, 13 protesters were arrested. After the Thursday night confrontations, transit operator RTD suspended bus and rail service to and from downtown, citing safety concerns about staff and riders - and not to hinder protesters. The Friday service change was amended a day later for the rest of the weekend, with RTD expecting 10,000 Saturday protesters at the Capitol. Later Saturday, May 30, Mayor Michael Hancock implemented a citywide curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. but many protesters stayed out after curfew, and faced police in riot gear. This third day of Denver protests were the largest yet. On Saturday night, three police officers were seriously injured along with a civilian, when a car rammed into their police vehicle.

Connecticut

• Bridgeport: A section of Route 8 was shut down by protesters.
• Hartford: On May 29, hundreds of people protested in front of the Capitol. On 2020.05.30, more than 1,000 people participated Hartford, marching to the Hartford Police Department and Connecticut State Capitol.
• New London: An anti-racism rally was held.

Florida

Protestor in front of police line in Miami on May 30

• Coral Gables: About 100 people participated in a protest that was coordinated with the local police department. The protest had sparked controversy because people have said it was not led by blacks and that police officers had been invited to participate.
• Gainesville: A man drove through a crowd of protesters and pulled out a gun. The man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.
• Jacksonville: Thousands of people protested downtown, with organizers emphasizing keeping the protest peaceful. A demonstration was held in front of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
• Miami: On May 30, about 400 to 500 people protested downtown; protests began peacefully, and as of 7 pm on Saturday, no arrests had been made. However, one demonstration quickly turned violent as a large group of protesters began looting the Bayside Marketplace later into the night, leading Miami-Dade mayor Carlos A. Giménez to order a local state of emergency and a 10 p.m. curfew.
• Orlando: A large crowd of people protested peacefully.
• St. Petersburg: Hundreds of people protested peacefully as they marched from City Hall to police headquarters.
• Tallahassee: A truck drove through a crowd of people protesting downtown.
• Tampa: Hundreds of people protested peacefully downtown.
• Temple Terrace: Hundreds of people protested while traversing the city, blocking traffic at points. Protesters stated that rubber bullets were used.
• Windermere: More than 200 protesters gathered outside Chauvin's summer home.

Georgia

Members of the Atlanta Police Department and the Georgia Army National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team on May 30

• Atlanta: A peaceful march was planned for May 29 at Centennial Olympic Park and was attended by hundreds. At around 6:00 p.m. ET, protesters then marched to the CNN Center, which was then vandalized by protesters at around 7:00 p.m. Specifically, some protesters vandalized CNN's logo outside its offices, broke the building's glass, and entered the center at around 9:00 p.m. and destroyed its interior. As tensions between protesters and police escalated, police began using tear gas on protesters. Protesters threw water bottles, eggs, and other objects at officers, burned police cars, and defaced businesses. The College Football Hall of Fame's gift shop was looted; Hall of Fame CEO Kimberly Beaudin told ESPN that "no artifacts or displays were damaged." Three officers were injured in the clashes. At midnight on May 30, Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in Fulton County and authorized 500 National Guard members to aid law enforcement in the city. At 2:12 am, a video was uploaded to Twitter, claiming to show children in riot gear deployed outside Lenox Square. The Georgia National Guard later confirmed that they were not children. Local black leaders, including Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and rapper and activist Killer Mike, decried the riots. Governor Brian Kemp has activated a total of 3,000 National Guardsmen to deal with protests in other parts of the state. As of Saturday at 5:30, 71 arrests had been made in Atlanta, and one demonstrator was reported shot. On the night of May 30–31, a police officer was seriously wounded after being hit by an ATV. The ATV rider was taken into custody. Several buildings were damaged or vandalized, including a MARTA bus station and a facility of the American Cancer Society.

Idaho

• Boise: People protested in front of the Idaho State Capitol.
• Idaho Falls: About 70 people protested on the Broadway Bridge.

Illinois

• Bloomington: On May 29, a group of around 10 to 15 protesters gathered during the evening and demonstrated at the median of the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Clearwater Avenue. Protesters stated that the event initially consisted of a small group of people, but others eventually joined the demonstration.

Video depicting protests in downtown Chicago during the afternoon of May 30.

Amateur video of protesters and police at Trump Tower (Chicago) 4pm on May 30, 2020

• Chicago: Protesters gathered on May 29 in Millennium Park and marched through the Loop chanting Floyd's name. Demonstrators shut down several downtown streets and blocked traffic on the Eisenhower Expressway. Near the intersection of State and Harrison streets, several protesters were seen throwing bottles and climbing onto cars. One individual was arrested while carrying a gun. A small group of protesters demonstrated in front of Trump Tower near midnight. The protesters eventually broke up once they reached the Near North Side neighborhood, and protests eventually died down by the early-morning hours. On May 30 the Chicago Police reported multiple arrests, injured police officers and damaged property. About a dozen officers were injured, including one who suffered a broken wrist. Around 108 arrests were confirmed on the night of May 29–30, and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called on protesters to remain peaceful, stating that "it's not easy when we have a president who is inciting violence. Let's be better than him." Around 4:30 am CDT on May 30, a board-up company was covering the windows of the State Street Old Navy location, and the Champs store near the intersection of State and Madison streets had several damaged windows. "Multiple marches" were expected throughout the weekend. Another demonstration was planned for 2:00 pm on Saturday the 30th, and Mayor Lightfoot stated that "we're not going to tolerate" lawlessness. A large downtown parking ban was enacted, with vehicles unable to park anywhere from Chicago Avenue in the north to Congress Parkway in the south, and from Lake Shore Drive in the east to Wells Street in the west, roughly correlating to the downtown area plus the Magnificent Mile and River North neighborhoods.

A crowd, which swelled to around 3,000, initiated a demonstration at Daley Plaza around 2 pm on Saturday the 30th. By 3:30 pm, hundreds were marching north, with some protesters throwing fireworks, bottles, and reportedly a liquid near officers. Some also began tagging buildings, cars, and a bus shelter. Another group of protesters climbed on top of a number 151 CTA bus. Demonstrators gathered on three sides of a police vehicle that was backing up on Dearborn Street, and confrontations broke out between officers and protesters when a police car tried to drive down Monroe Street in the Loop. By 4 pm, the crowd had split into several groups heading in different directions, including Trump Tower, where it became markedly chaotic, with some throwing bottles and fireworks at officers. Authorities pushed protesters out of the way of a police vehicle. Along State Street, marchers heading northbound chanted "Black Lives Matter" and "I Can't Breathe," most of them wearing masks and many holding signs that read "Defund the Police" and "Justice for Floyd." On the Magnificent Mile, a demonstrator wore a mobile stereo around his neck as the song "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy played from it. Simultaneously, church bells rang from the Fourth Presbyterian Church. Protesters marched on Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue, and the crowd began to enter the outer drive through a northbound entrance ramp. By 5 pm, officers had responded to at least one dozen "10-1" calls, a police emergency. Some demonstrators reportedly tried to overturn a police car; others tried to hop onto another CTA bus. The Ohio and Ontario feeder ramps were closed by authorities as well as the ramps leading to Eisenhower Expressway (I-290). Additionally, the CTA temporarily suspended Red Line service between the Clark/Division and Sox-35th stations. Around 7:30 pm, at the intersection of Dearborn and Hubbard streets, a police vehicle was flipped over by demonstrators. A few minutes later, officers flipped it back again and protesters moved closer to the intersection of Kinzie and Dearborn streets.

By the evening, there was at least one report of injuries to police officers, including a sergeant who had broken his arm near Trump Tower. Mayor Lightfoot held a press conference just after 8 pm, stating that the protests had "evolved into criminal conduct''. Lightfoot imposed a curfew on the city, lasting every night from 9 pm to 6 am, until further notice. Lightfoot stated that she had seen protesters use different blunt objects like pipes and hammers to damage property. "I've seen protesters hurl projectiles at our police department...bottles of water, urine and lord knows what else," she said. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown gave a message to looters and rioters, stating that "We will be taking you into custody when you destroy property...That's just facts.'' He added that several buildings were vandalized, had broken windows, and that police utilized pepper spray and "arrests to prevent looting.'' Almost every storefront on Michigan Avenue saw some form of damage on Saturday evening, including the Loop locations of Zara, Nike, CVS, Walgreens, Neiman Marcus, and the Macy's storefront on State Street. Several shootings occurred well into the night: 2 males were shot at 9:30 pm on the 0 west block of Jackson Boulevard, and a 19-year-old man was shot an hour later on the 200 north block of Michigan Avenue. At 11 pm, another two males were shot at, this time on the 100 west block of Hubbard Street. One of them was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other suffered injuries. Shortly after 11:30 pm, the Chicago Fire Department responded to a fire at the Central Camera Company store on the 200 south block of Wabash Avenue. As a result of protests, the CTA temporarily suspended its services in the downtown area, and the northbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive at Roosevelt Street were closed. By the morning of Sunday the 31st, most of the draw bridges spanning the Loop and River North remained up.

• Joliet: On May 29, a Black Lives Matter protest began at 2:00 p.m. at the intersection of Caton Farm Road and Route 59. The event was scheduled to end at 4:30 p.m., and around 100 protesters had gathered by 3:00 p.m.. The demonstration remained peaceful, and one group consisted of local high school students.

Indiana

• Fort Wayne: Crowds gathered outside the Allen County Courthouse in a peaceful demonstration that turned violent after police fired off tear gas in response to protesters blocking traffic by sitting in the road at Clinton and Main Street, refusing to move. Some establishments were vandalized.
• Indianapolis: Protesters and police clashed downtown. Some protesters broke windows of businesses. Several officers were injured. Tear gas and rubber bullets were used to disperse crowds. During the night, three people were killed and two more injured in several shootings.

Kentucky

• Bowling Green: People protested outside the Bowling Green Police Department. During the protest, a 24-year-old man hit a protester with a Silverado pickup truck, and was arrested; police stated that he "had plenty of room... to avoid hitting protesters," and that when they asked if his vehicle had hit the protester, the man replied, "Probably so, there were protesters blocking the fucking road, they deserved to be hit, anyone would." He was arrested, charged with wanton endangerment in the first degree (a felony in Kentucky), and taken to Warren County Regional Jail.
• Louisville: On May 28, protesters demanded justice for the death of Breonna Taylor. Some 500 to 600 demonstrators marched through the city that evening. Later during the protest, seven people were shot by an unknown shooter or shooters, with one victim critically injured. During the night of May 29, more protests took place, attended by hundreds of people. A woman suffered a heart attack as a result of tear gas inhalation, and two journalists were injured by rubber bullets fired by police officers. On May 30, the governor called in the National Guard.

Massachusetts

• Amherst: More than sixty people had peacefully gathered across from the police station on Saturday, May 30.
• Boston: A group of several hundred protesters gathered in Peters Park on Thursday, May 28, in what began as a peaceful demonstration, but escalated into a clash with police after several dozen protesters crowded around the nearby Precinct 4 police station. Several protesters were pepper sprayed. The following day, a second large group of protestors clashed with city police, injuring four officers and resulting in ten arrests.
• Framingham: On Thursday, May 28, a group of about thirty protesters peacefully gathered and crowded along sidewalks in the city.
• New Bedford: 25-50 people peacefully marched around the city on Saturday, May 30, protesting police brutality.
• Springfield: Several hundred people peacefully protested outside of the city police's headquarters on Friday, May 29.

Michigan

• Detroit: Hundreds protested in downtown Detroit. Some protesters were seen throwing items at police officers and taunting them. At least 61 people were arrested. On Friday night a 21-year-old man was shot and killed around 11:30 p.m. He was killed after an unknown assailant fired shots into a vehicle. The man was taken to an hospital where he died. It was initially thought that this man was 19 years old and that the assailant fired from a vehicle; this was later proven otherwise.
• Marquette: A number of protesters gathered outside the city's post office on May 29. On May 30, a protest march started at Northern Michigan University and proceeded towards the city's downtown; a protester briefly stood on the hood of a city police SUV, but no arrests were reported.
• Grand Rapids broke out in large scale property damage on Saturday night, May 30, as peaceful protests were changed by elements that joined and broke store windows, and burned many automobiles.

Mississippi

• Jackson: A group peacefully protested outside the Mississippi state capitol and marched through downtown Jackson.
• Oxford: More than 400 protesters gathered in downtown Oxford in front of City Hall.
• Petal: At least 200 people protested outside Petal City Hall on Friday night after Mayor Hal Marx made a comment about George Floyd's murder not being unreasonable. One elderly woman walked three miles in chains to get to the protest.

Missouri

• Kansas City: Hundreds of protesters marched from the Country Club Plaza to the Westport, where police used pepper spray. Some protesters sat in the middle of the street, leading to several streets near the intersection of J.C. Nichols Parkway and Emmanuel Cleaver II Boulevard being closed for hours. Some protesters blocked a window and picked up a type 3 traffic barricade, leading police to believe they would use it to commit violence.
• St. Louis: On Saturday around 1,500 protesters marched downtown. Protesters shut down part of Interstate 64 and Interstate 70, some setting off fireworks; protesters also blocked traffic downtown. Protesters also blocked traffic in the downtown. One protester died after being dragged by a FedEx truck as it tried to slowly drive through North Broadway and O'Fallon Street. The driver of the truck attempted to drive away after two men displayed guns at him and others began to take items from his truck.

Nebraska

• Lincoln: In the morning, people gathered at the Capitol to protest. Overnight, people gathered at around 27th and O Streets to protest. Eight police officers were injured with one requiring advanced medical treatment, several businesses and police vehicles were damaged. Tear gas and rubber bullets were used, and arrests were made.
• Omaha: Thousands of people protested. The protests were largely peaceful until around 10:30 p.m. A small number of people broke the law, and 18 arrests were made due to failure to disperse. Several businesses were damaged. Some protesters threw objects such as shoes and water bottles at police. At one point protesters surrounded a police vehicle. Two officers were injured during the riots. Tear gas and pepper balls were used. A 22-year-old man was shot to death while protesting in the Old Market neighborhood of Omaha.

Nevada

• Las Vegas: On May 29, 2020, approximately 200 to 300 people rallied in the area of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. Twelve police officers were injured, and 80 arrests were made. The following day, crowds marched to the Regional Justice Center while a separate crowd developed near the Container Park in Downtown Las Vegas. When chaos ensued, police used tear gas to quell the crowd.
• Reno: On May 30, 2020 at least 1,000 people participated in a protest in downtown Reno. Protestors drew graffiti, ignited a small fire, and burned a flag. Police vehicle windows were smashed as well as windows of a commercial building. After breaching City Hall, protestors set a fire inside, looted, and caused other damage. While no arrests have been made, the city government issued an immediate mandatory curfew, Mayor Hillary Schieve declared a state of emergency, and Governor Steve Sisolak activated the Nevada National Guard.

New Jersey

• Englewood: More than 1,000 people rallied in Mackay Park before peacefully marching to the Englewood Police Station.
• Freehold Township: About 35 people displayed signs along a highway in a demonstration called "March on Route 9" on Saturday.
• Newark: A crowd of at least 5,000 marched peacefully down Market Street on Saturday at a rally organized by "People's Organization for Progress."
• Paterson: A rally intended for George Floyd was attended by family members of Jameek Lowery who died after an encounter with the Paterson Police in 2019.
• Trenton: Several groups including Black Lives Matter gathered at the New Jersey Statehouse on Saturday.

New Mexico

• Albuquerque, New Mexico: Hundreds of people protested, and tear gas was deployed, but no one was injured. Part of the city was shut down. Several shots were fired from a vehicle in the area of Wisconsin and Central, while a female sergeant was approached by several people and had her vehicle damaged. Four people were taken into custody. Several rioters were seen on camera approaching vehicles and were attempting to damage the vehicles and drag civilians out of their cars. One vehicle in particular was driving around firing shots. It is unclear how many shots were fired by that specific vehicle, though shot spotter technology determined that there were about 33 total registered reports of shots fired in the area. Police were able to initiate a traffic stop and take four individuals into custody, including one who initially fled on foot. While officers were trying to process the scene, a group of people started to cause problems for the officers. One person allegedly used a baseball bat to hit several police vehicles, breaking the windows.
• Santa Fe: About 250 people protested at the state capitol.

New York

Rally in Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn on May 30

Protesters placed a stencil over the Brooklyn Public Library digital sign which reads "George Floyd was lynched by police."

• Albany: A large rally organized by Citizen Action peacefully protested with a "solidarity walk" that began at Townsend Park on May 30.
• Buffalo: On May 30, major protests were underway in Buffalo at 4:30PM local time, however these protests escalated toward the evening hours. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz issued a countywide state of emergency and curfew effective from 10:30PM until 7:00AM.
• New York City: Nearly 100 protesters assembled in Union Square on May 28; 72 protesters were arrested, five of whom were charged with assaulting police officers, and several police officers were lightly injured. Protesters marched to City Hall and shut down traffic in Lower Manhattan. In Manhattan, one protester punched an officer in the face, while another threw a garbage can at an officer, striking him on the head. Protesters also threw bottles at police officers. The following day, May 29, peaceful protests resumed around Foley Square in Manhattan, but later protesters clashed with police at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and demolished two police vehicles in the Fort Greene neighborhood. Protesters also attempted to breach the 79th precinct in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, but were repelled. Additional confrontations took place at Fort Greene Park. Some protesters threw projectiles at the police. One allegedly punched an officer with brass knuckles. One woman allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail into an occupied police car. She was later charged with attempted murder. A police van was also torched. Twelve police officers total were injured during the clashes, and at least 200 arrested.

On May 30, New York Governer Andrew Cuomo spoke with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and announced an independent review, done by Attorney General Letitia James, of actions taken during the protests that occurred on May 29. In Brooklyn, a video of a crowd of protesters clashing with two NYPD vehicles that appeared to accelerate and push a number of people was released. In relation to the video, Blasio said: "I wish the officers had found a different approach, but let’s begin at the beginning. The protestors in that video did the wrong thing to surround that police car, period." A total of 33 police officers have been injured since the beginning of the protests, and 47 police vehicles were burned.

• Rochester: Following a peaceful protest from 1 pm to 4 pm in downtown Rochester on May 30, chaos erupted to the point of cars, including police cruisers, being set on fire around the Public Safety building and other parts of the city, with police responding with tear gas and pepper spray. Violence and looting also broke out in the suburb of Irondequoit. Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Rochester mayor Lovely Warren have since issued a state of emergency and have set a county-wide curfew for 9 PM. Bello, Warren, and Rochester police chief La'Ron Singletary have now claimed that the violence was incited by "professional protesters" and "anarchists" from outside the city.
• Staten Island: Reverend Al Sharpton, Gwen Carr—the mother of Eric Garner, who was killed in 2014 from being chokeholded by police—and other community activists held a vigil for George Floyd on May 30.

North Carolina

Protest in Raleigh on May 30

Raleigh on May 30

• Charlotte: Hundreds of protesters marched down Beatties Ford Road on May 29. Some protesters threw rocks and bottles at police, smashed the windows of police vehicles and jumped on them, and stole a bike from an officer. Police used pepper spray bullets to break up the riot. Some protesters also smashed store windows and looted in the University Park Shopping Center. On May 30, the protest grew and gathered in Uptown Charlotte, blocking traffic on Interstate 277 and later through the downtown district. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department fired tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowds. The city was also placed under a State of Emergency.
• Durham: A peaceful protest occurred in Durham on May 30.
• Fayetteville: A peaceful protest organized for 3 p.m. on May 30 remained non-violent until that evening, when protesters burned a U.S. flag in front of the historic Market House before vandalizing and lighting fires in it.
• Raleigh: On May 30, a peaceful protest event named "A National Day of Action — Justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and lives cut short by Raleigh and Durham police departments," was organized, with crowds gathering by the Wake County Justice Center before marching up Fayetteville Street. By 6 p.m. the number of protesters had grown to around 1,000 people. Around 6:45, the protests descended into chaos as people began throwing objects at Raleigh police officers, resulting in officers using tear gas and pepper spray on the crowds. Officers continued to deploy tear gas through the evening. Nearly every storefront along Fayetteville street was vandalized. From 11:30 p.m. on May 30 through 2 a.m. May 31, people looted and vandalized downtown businesses, including breaking windows and setting fires, causing police to deploy tear gas in heavier amounts. By 6 a.m., Raleigh police reported protests in the city had ceased. 12 people were arrested and five officers were sent to hospitals, including one with a broken jaw.

Ohio

Main article: George Floyd protests and riots in Columbus, Ohio

Protestors in Columbus on May 28 blocked by police

Protestor in Columbus

• Canton: Several hundred people protested. Tear gas was used to disperse the crowd, and at least two arrests were made.
• Cincinnati: Over 500 protesters gathered to protest; the protest began peacefully, with looting and vandalism occurring overnight on May 29. Protesters blocked traffic on Interstate 75. Police used "multiple rounds" of pepper bombs as well as pepper spray canisters to disperse the crowds of protesters. All police are on 12-hour shifts with time off being cancelled to free up space. On May 30, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley erected a curfew beginning at 10:00 p.m. and ending at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday in the downtown area.
• Cleveland: According to the Cleveland Police Department, the protests starting on Saturday began peaceful however police had to disperse crowds after some protesters began throwing objects.
• Columbus: Protesters broke into the Ohio Statehouse and vandalized several businesses. At around 7:00 p.m. EDT, protesters blocked traffic on Interstate 71 near 15th Street. At around 9:00 p.m. police began to disperse pepper spray into the crowd. Police were also pepper spraying peaceful protesters indiscriminately. Some protesters threw the pepper spray back at police officers. Protesters then began throwing eggs, fireworks, smoke bombs, jugs of water, and shoes. Police were able to get the protesters back to N. High St. and State St. There, some protesters broke the windows of businesses and bus stops. They also smashed the front doors and windows of the state capitol building, with some gaining entrance to the Statehouse. At N. High St. and Town St. some protesters began breaking into businesses and looting from a local convenience store. Additionally, protesters tore trash cans and mailboxes from their mounts. The Ohio Theatre was also damaged. The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts estimated the damage at $15,000. Protests continued on May 29. Protesters entered the middle of Front Street, disrupting traffic. Some protesters threw water bottles, rocks, and bricks and shot fireworks at officers. Additional businesses in the Short North district were looted. Five police officers were injured during the protests. The Columbus Police Department declared an emergency.

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma City: Hundreds of people protested peacefully. Four people were arrested.
• Tulsa: Hundreds of people protested peacefully. One protestor was hit by a vehicle when the protest moved onto Interstate 44, briefly shutting it down.

Oregon

Main article: George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon

Graffiti following a demonstration in Eugene, Oregon

• Eugene, Oregon: Hundreds of people protested downtown. Some protesters disrupted traffic and knocked trash and newsstands into the street in the downtown. Rioters crowded on to Highway I-105 and began setting fire to a nearby road sign. Around 11 p.m., they created a bonfire in the street, consisting of throwing in traffic cones, newspapers, signs from local businesses, and other items.
• Eugene: A crowd of around 300 people gathered on May 29 to protest. That night, fires were set and windows were smashed. No arrests were made.
• Portland, Oregon: Hundreds attended a vigil for George Floyd in North Portland. Later a larger protest consisting of thousands started, which resulted in Portland declaring a state of emergency after it turned into a riot following several shootings and fires. Mobs broke into Pioneer Place Mall, an Apple store, and several other businesses and looted stores. Some rioters vandalized the Justice Center, breaking windows, painting graffiti, and starting a fire. A Capital One bank was set ablaze as well. Two men were seen throwing a scooter and a bicycle at a police cruiser. Several people also climbed onto the cruiser's roof.
• Portland: Peaceful protests on May 29 evolved into a riot, which saw a break-in and fire set in the Multnomah County Justice Center and several stores looted. Mayor Ted Wheeler installed a curfew from 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday and again from 8 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday. Several hundred people participated and 13 arrests were made.

Pennsylvania

• Allentown: A subdued rally occurred on May 30 at Seventh and Hamilton Streets. Mayor Ray O'Connel spoke to the crowd but was heckled for claiming "This is not my America!"
• Bethlehem: Hundreds of demonstrators demanded an end to police brutality at the Bethlehem Rose Garden followed by a march to City Hall on May 30.
• Erie: Several hundred people chanted "No Justice! No Peace!" and carried signs reading "I Can't Breathe" in and around Perry Square on May 30.
• Harrisburg: Protesters surrounded a police car after a peaceful rally that began at the State Capitol, riot police were summoned to shoot pepper spray into the crowd.
• Lancaster: Hundreds of protesters peacefully gathered at a rally named "We've had enough, time to stand" on the morning of May 30.
• Philadelphia: Protesters demanded justice for a "Solidarity with Minneapolis" rally at City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. At the height of the protests, over 3,000 people were demonstrating. The museum protests were peaceful, but in the evening the protests turned violent with police vehicles being set on fire and looting. 13 police officers were injured including one hit by a vehicle while trying to stop a looting. The mayor imposed a citywide 8 p.m. curfew on the night of May 30.
• Pittsburgh: After an initially peaceful downtown protest on May 30 turned into a riot resulting in injuries, looting, and burning of police cars, the city was declared unsafe by city officials. Mayor Bill Peduto denounced the vandals as "anarchists, hell bent on chaos and destruction," who "hijacked a peaceful march for justice and exploited it for their own selfish agenda." A curfew was set from 8:30 p.m. that evening until 6 a.m. the following day. Multiple injuries were also reported.
• Scranton: Dozens of people peacefully protested at Courthouse Square on May 30.
• Wilkes-Barre: Dozens of people held up signs and chanted "Black Lives Matter" at a center city public square on May 30.

South Carolina

Governor Henry McMaster tweeted: "South Carolinians are well within their rights to publicly and peacefully express anger over the inexcusable taking of George Floyd’s life. We should all be angry. There is no excuse for this."

• Charleston: The city issued a curfew after protests resulted in vandalism of public property and statues and some protesters threw rocks at police and citizens. Additionally, several businesses and restaurants had glass windows busted. Two men wearing MAGA hats were assaulted. At one point, police in riot gear used tear gas to stall protesters. Protesters halted traffic on Interstate-26.

• Columbia: On May 30, 2020, Protesters marched from the South Carolina Statehouse to the city of Columbia police station. Several businesses and restaurants in the nearby business district were vandalized. Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin announced a mandatory 6 p.m. curfew for the city. Four police officers were injured, one seriously. Later that night shots were fired at police, and the shooters arrested. The police chief says the officers did not return fire.
• Greenville: Protests in Greenville were mostly peaceful.

Tennessee

Protests in front of the State Capitol in Nashville on May 30, 2020

• Knoxville: Hundreds of protesters demonstrated on Friday evening in front of police headquarters and then marched through downtown Knoxville.
• Memphis: Silent demonstrations of around 40 people protesting the deaths of Floyd, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, and Ahmaud Arbery, led to "verbal confrontations" with Memphis police and two counter-protesters from the Facebook group "Confederate 901." On May 27, protesters shut down Union Avenue near McLean Boulevard.
• Nashville: A protest occurred Saturday afternoon in downtown Nashville; protesters peacefully demonstrated in Legislative Plaza and then marched to a police department. In the evening, the crowd damaged a police car, threw rocks and sprayed graffiti; at least 5 were arrested. Mayor John Cooper declared a state of emergency and called in the national guard after a spate of arsons, including the burning of Nashville's courthouse.

Texas

Protestors and police in Fort Worth, Texas

On May 30, Governor Greg Abbott deployed more than 1,500 police officers to Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

• Austin: Protesters demonstrated in downtown Austin on Friday night; police arrested at least nine people. On May 30 thousands of protesters gathered outside Austin Police Department's headquarters. They then climbed on to I-35, stopping traffic on both sides.
• Dallas: Almost a thousand people protested in front of the Dallas Police Headquarters. The gathering and march organized was by the Next Generation Action Network. On the night of May 29, some demonstrators broke windows, looted businesses, set fires to dumpsters, trash cans, and patrol cars. Several police cruisers were damaged in the Deep Ellum neighborhood and downtown Dallas. One group of protesters then walked onto the freeway and blocked traffic on Interstate 35, shutting down traffic and torching a parked car. A man defending his store from rioters with a machete was badly injured by a mob. Video shows the man being beaten by 10-15 men. Objects used in the attack included a skateboard and several medium sized rocks. Mayor Eric Johnson said that while the protests were largely respectful, the looting and destruction of property could not be allowed.
• Houston: Large numbers protested in George Floyd's hometown. Mayor Sylvester Turner made calls for unity and peace. Over 200 people were arrested, most with obstructing a roadway. According to police reports four officers suffered minor injuries and eight police vehicles were damaged. Houston police stated that they were investigating a video that appeared to show a female protester being trampled by a police officer on a horse.
• San Antonio: Several thousand people protested peacefully downtown outside the San Antonio Public Safety Headquarters.

Utah

• Ogden: Around 1,000 people attended the "Take a Knee" protest in front of the Ogden City Municipal Building after turnout was only expected to reach 70 to 200; police barricaded numerous streets due to this higher-than-anticipated turnout. It was largely peaceful, with protestors opting to utilize verbal chants and speeches rather than violence. After the conclusion of the protest, protestors shook hands with police officers.
• Salt Lake City: On the night of May 29, around 150 to 200 people protested downtown at 900 South and State Street. The protests later turned violent on May 30, as protesters overturned an SLCPD police cruiser and set it ablaze. There have been reports of vandalism and looting. Protestors vandalized parts of the Utah State Capitol Building. Overall, the majority of demonstrations have been peaceful, with thousands being reported marching through the streets. A man was witnessed brandishing a bow and arrow and attempting to shoot at protesters. He was subsequently ambushed and had his weapon taken and his car destroyed. On May 31, an excerpt of a news broadcast showing an elderly man being assaulted by SLCPD officers circulated on Twitter.

Vermont

• Burlington: Hundreds of people began protesting in Battery Park and moved toward the Burlington Police Department.
• Montpelier: Hundreds of people protested at the intersection of State and Main Streets.

Virginia

Demonstration in Charlottesville, Virginia on May 30

• Charlottesville: About 15 people demonstrated with signs on University Avenue on Friday Night. On Saturday, a large crowd flooded the streets near the police station, briefly blocking an intersection during a #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd event.
• Richmond: On May 29, a group of several hundred protesters gathered near Monroe Park in what began as a peaceful march, but escalated into a clash with Virginia Commonwealth University police, City of Richmond police, and Virginia Capitol Police. A VCU police cruiser was set on fire and destroyed. A GRTC Pulse bus was also destroyed by protesters. After destroying the bus rioters went on top of it, spray painted it, and yelled "black lives matter." They also set off fireworks, broke windows at Richmond Police Headquarters, set dumpsters on fire, and damaged other properties. Several journalists were assaulted and a local news station's vehicle was vandalized. A fire was reported at the headquarters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. At least one person was shot in Richmond during the protests late Saturday night.

Washington

Main article: George Floyd protests in Seattle

• Seattle: On May 29, a small protest happened in Downtown Seattle and Capitol Hill, damaging windows of several stores. A larger demonstration was organized the following day at Westlake Park, joined by thousands from a protest at police headquarters, and evolved into a standoff between protesters and police. Leading to acts of looting and arson all around Seattle, among them the Nordstrom flagship store. Protesters also blocked Interstate 5 in both directions. Sometime in the afternoon a child was allegedly maced by a police officer named "J Campbell". A citywide curfew was declared for 5 p.m. by mayor Jenny Durkan and the Washington National Guard was activated by Governor Jay Inslee.

Wisconsin

• Madison: On May 30, there was a peaceful demonstration at the State Capitol with around 1000 attendees. As the evening progressed, it evolved into a minor riot with some storefronts on State Street getting damaged, and a conflict with police that was met with tear gas. A neighborhood curfew was declared by Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.

International

Protesters in Berlin, Germany

• Berlin – Thousands of people have been protesting in Berlin. Many gathered in front of the American Embassy, chanting "black lives matter."
• Copenhagen – Around 2,000 people gathered in front of the American Embassy for a peaceful protest on May 31.
• Derry – A vigil was held at Free Derry Corner on May 29.
• London – A peaceful protest with more than 20 participants occurred on May 28 outside the United States Embassy. On May 31, thousands protested in London at Trafalgar Square before making their way to the US Embassy.
• Manchester – On May 31, hundreds of people marched through Manchester to St. Ann's Square.
• Mashhad – A candlelight vigil was held for Floyd in Mellat Park.
• Milan – People peacefully protested outside the Consulate General of the United States.
• Tokyo – Around 200 people peacefully protested on May 30 against police brutality in light of both the killing of Floyd and the beating by police of an ethnically Kurdish man living in Japan.

Deaths

As of May 31, 2020, eight people have died during the protests and riots:

• On May 27 in Minneapolis, Calvin Horton Jr. died after being fatally shot during a protest.
• On May 29 in Detroit, a man was fatally shot.
• On May 30 in Oakland, a Department of Homeland Security security officer was fatally shot outside a federal courthouse.
• On May 30 in St. Louis, a man died after being wedged between a FedEx truck on Interstate 44.
• On May 30 in Chicago, a man was killed and five other injured during protests.
• On May 30 in Omaha, a man was fatally shot during protests.
• On May 31 in Indianapolis, two people were fatally shot during violent 2:30 a.m protests in downtown.

Controversies

Mass violence

Several acts of mass violence were reported in the protests.

Locations of mass violence during the protests

Location	Incident	Deaths	Injuries	Target	Source
Louisville, Kentucky	Shooting	0	7	Protesters
Oakland, California	Shooting	1	1	Police
Bakersfield, California	Vehicle-ramming attack	0	1	Protesters
Indianapolis, Indiana	Shootings	2	2	Protesters
Denver, Colorado	Vehicle-ramming attack	0	4	Police
San Jose, California	Vehicle-ramming attack	0	2	Protestors
Chicago, Illinois	Shooting	1	5	Protesters

Police brutality

Two New York City Police Department vehicles were recorded ramming into protesters. In another incident, an NYPD officer was filmed pushing a woman to the ground, giving her a concussion, while an officer in Salt Lake City pushed an unarmed elderly man to the ground.

On May 30, a video has been posting online showing police officers in Minnesota shooting paint rounds at residents on their porches after shouting "Light 'em up!"

Violence against journalists

From police

Journalists at several protests were injured and arrested by police while trying to cover the story, being shot by rubber bullets or sprayed by tear gas.

External videos
CNN reporter Omar Jimenez and his filming crew arrested by police during a live television report, CNN

External videos
Officer fires paper bullets at WAVE reporter in Louisville, MSNBC

Omar Jimenez, a black Latino CNN reporter, and his filming crew were arrested while giving a live television report on May 29 in Minneapolis by the Minnesota State Patrol, and then released about an hour later. After the incident took place, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said that he deeply apologizes for what happened and would work to have the crew released, calling the event "unacceptable" and adding that there was "absolutely no reason something like this should happen." CNN called the arrests a "clear violation of their First Amendment rights" in a tweet posted the same day. After the incident the Minnesota State Patrol tweeted that "In the course of clearing the streets and restoring order at Lake Street and Snelling Avenue, four people were arrested by State Patrol troopers, including three members of a CNN crew. The three were released once they were confirmed to be members of the media," however the CNN crew had already informed the troopers that they were members of the media before and during the arrest and carried the relevant paperwork and identification with them. The Minneapolis Police Department falsely stated both whilst performing the arrest and via Twitter that his crew had not adequately responded when asked what they were doing.

Linda Tirado, a freelance photo journalist, was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet or a pellet by the police in Minneapolis, and following surgery has been left permanently blind in that eye.

Also on May 29 in Louisville, Kentucky, an officer fired pepper bullets at a reporter from NBC affiliate WAVE who was reporting live on air for her station. The station manager issued a statement strongly condemning the incident, saying there was "no justification for police to wantonly open fire."

On the evening of May 28, officers fired pepper bullets at several employees of The Denver Post who were reporting on protests in Denver, Colorado. A photographer was struck twice by pepper bullets, sustaining injuries on his arm. The photographer believed it was not accidental, saying, "If it was one shot, I can say it was an accident. I'm very sure it was the same guy twice. I’m very sure he pointed at me." Another journalist said an officer shot at least one pepper bullet at her feet.

On May 30, members of a Reuters crew were fired on with rubber bullets in Minneapolis shortly after a curfew they were reporting on began. One reporter was hit in the arm and neck while another was hit in the face, which deflected off his gas mask. Franch Television journalist Agnès Varamian was hurt by a non-lethal bullets as she announced to the police that she was a journalist in the same city.

Actor John Cusack, who joined protests in Chicago, was filming a video of a burning car, when suddenly a police officer yelled against him and treated with, and then hit his bike.

From protesters

A Fox News crew was attacked by a group of rioters while reporting on the scene.

In Pittsburgh, KDKA photojournalists, Ian Smith and Paul Martino, were attacked by protesters and seriously injured. Penguins CEO David Morehouse managed to save both preventing further injury. Both were later transported to the hospital.

Violence against Asian-Americans

Restaurants and businesses owned by Asian-Americans were reportedly being specifically targeted by protesters and rioters, reflecting tensions between them and the African-American communities. On May 30, 2020, A rioter from Mississippi who traveled to Minneapolis was recorded mocking and making multiple derogatory remarks at an Asian restaurant owner outside their damaged restaurant, as they looted during the aftermath of a riot.

Alleged extremist involvement

There have been accusations of various extremist groups using the cover of the protests to foment general unrest in the United States, but "officials offered little evidence to show who was responsible and contradicted one another on who was to blame."

President Donald Trump blamed "far left extremist groups" for inciting and organizing violent riots. "What we are seeing now on the streets of our cities has nothing to do with justice or with peace," Trump said. "Those making excuses or justification for violence are not helping the downtrodden, but delivering new anguish and new pain." During a press conference, Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert said Antifa were behind the violence during the protests. He added, "It’s just a damn shame that they took advantage of the situation, for something, something happened in another state where somebody died who shouldn’t have died, and they hijacked that message for their own." U.S. Attorney General William Barr blamed "anarchic and far left extremist groups using Antifa-like tactics" for the violence at the protests. "The voices of peaceful protest are being hijacked by violent radical elements," Barr said.

Vice reported that the "boogaloo boys," whose ideological aim is to incite a civil war, have been spotted at the protests. According to Vice, although the boogaloo groups tried to position themselves as allies of the Black Lives Matter movement, they generally avoided addressing police brutality as a racial issue. Some believed that members of boogaloo groups inserted themselves among protesters to instigate violence. However, these reports have not been substantiated.

The so-called "Umbrella Man," who was recorded calmly breaking windows during the beginning of the protests, was accused of being an agent provocateur trying to provoke or give the appearance of rioting; some speculated he was working for the police, but the police chief denied it.

Misinformation

Misinformation was spread across social media, hours prior to the beginning of the first protests. Members of the general public and celebrities have spread images of men wearing MAGA hats or near President Trump during a rally, that were falsely identified as Chauvin. Others have spread images of other protests or incidents claiming that the violence and destruction were attributed to the protestors but were instead from other protests.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speculated that there was "an organized attempt to destabilize civil society," initially stating that as many as 80% of the individuals had possibly come from outside the state, and the mayor of St. Paul, Melvin Carter, said that everyone arrested in St. Paul on May 29 was from out of state. However, this was shown to be incorrect, as records proved that the majority of those arrested were in-state. At a press conference later the same day, Carter explained that he had "shared... arrest data received in [his] morning police briefing which [he] later learned to be inaccurate."

Reactions

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Political

Avatar of Donald J. Trump

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

....These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won't let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!

May 29, 2020

On May 27, 2020, President Donald Trump tweeted "At my request, the FBI and the Department of Justice are already well into an investigation as to the very sad and tragic death in Minnesota of George Floyd...."

On May 29, President Trump responded to the riots by threatening that either "the very weak Radical Left Mayor Jacob Frey get his act together and bring the City under control" or he will send in the National Guard, adding that "Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts." The tweet was interpreted as quoting former Miami Police Chief Walter Headley, who said "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" in December 1967, as Miami saw escalating tensions and racial protests aimed at the 1968 Republican National Convention. Trump's use of the quote was seen by Twitter as an incitement of violence; Twitter placed the tweet behind a public interest notice for breaching its terms of service in regards to incitement of violence. The next day, Trump commented on his original tweet, saying, "Looting leads to shooting, and that's why a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Wednesday night - or look at what just happened in Louisville with 7 people shot. I don't want this to happen, and that's what the expression put out last night means...."

On May 30, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo stated that the riots have exposed the "inequality and discrimination in the criminal justice system" and that "When you have one episode, two episodes maybe you can look at them as individual episodes. But when you have 10 episodes, 15 episodes, you are blind or in denial if you are still treating each one like a unique situation,."

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms called for protesters to express their anger through "non-violent" means. She decried the protests as illegitimate and accused them of harming Atlanta rather than helping.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, while sympathizing with the anger of protesters, asked for citizens to stop the violence and have a "Respectful, peaceful dialogue."

Commercial

On the morning of May 29, Target temporarily closed 24 of its locations in the Twin Cities area, and reopened all but six the same day. Target later announced that they would be closing 73 of their Minnesota stores until further notice and made a commitment to rebuilding the store on Lake Street. On May 31, Target closed 49 stores in California and 12 stores in New York.

Concerns over health

The Minnesota Department of Health raised concerns that the protests may exacerbate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney requested that citizens protest according to social distancing guidelines. Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz expressed worries over an spike in COVID-19 cases. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said, in relation to the protests, that the U.S. "must acknowledge & address the impact of racism on health." He also tweeted:

U.S. Surgeon General

@Surgeon_General

5/ We won’t fix or remove all the obstacles and stressors that are affecting people’s health and well-being – especially ones like racism – over night. That doesn’t mean we mustn't try at all. Change happens over time and there needs to be meaningful progress.

May 30, 2020

International

States

• Canada – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for Canada to "stand together in solidarity" against racial discrimination. He said Canadians are watching the police violence in the United States in "shock and horror."
• China – The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States issued an alert to Chinese citizens in the United States, saying "to closely monitor the local security situation, stay alert to police notices over demonstrations, protests and possible riots and avoid traveling to dangerous areas" and that "Chinese citizens operating stores and shops should remain vigilant and step up security measures."
• Iran – Iranian Foreign Minister condemned what he called "the tragic murder of black people and deadly racial discrimination in the United States." It added that "the voices of the protesters must be heard ... (and) the repression of suffering Americans must be stopped immediately."
• Russia – The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the police violence and arrest of journalists amid the protests, remarking that "this incident is not the first in the string of incidents exposing lawlessness and unjustified violence by ‘guardians of law and order’ in the United States".
• Turkey – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a "racist and fascist" approach led to Floyd's death and said that "[we] will be monitoring the issue."
• United Kingdom – The Foreign Office reacted to the arrest of a journalist and said that "journalists all around the world must be free to do their job and hold authorities to account without fear of retribution." Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab commented that the footage of Floyd's arrest was "very distressing" but said that it is "not his job" to comment on the U.S. President's response to the protests.
• Venezuela – Foreign minister Jorge Arreaza condemned the "prejudiced language" used by Donald Trump in describing the protesters.

Supranational bodies

• United Nations – UN Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet condemned the death at the hands of police, urging American authorities to take "serious action" to stop the killings of unarmed minorities.
• African Union – Head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, described Floyd's death as a "murder," stating that the African Union condemned the "continuing discriminatory practices against black citizens of the USA."
• Amnesty International – The organization released a press release statement calling the police in the United States to end excessive militarized responses to the protests.

See also

• 1965 Watts riots – A black motorist resisting arrest ignited days of widespread violence fueled by decades of institutional racism.
• 1980 Miami riots – Protests after an unarmed black salesman with a fractured skull was beaten to death by police officers in 1979 and the officers involved were acquitted in May 1980.
• 1992 Los Angeles riots – Protests after police officers involved in the beating of Rodney King, a black man, were acquitted by the court in April 1992.
• 2014 Ferguson unrest – The large-scale unrest after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by police.
• 2015 Baltimore protests – Protests following the arrest and subsequent death of Freddie Gray.

Further reading

• Sprunt, Barbara. The History Behind 'When The Looting Starts, The Shooting Starts' NPR. May 29, 2020
• Owen, Tess. Far-Right Extremists Are Hoping to Turn the George Floyd Protests Into a New Civil War. Vice. May 29, 2020
• Hartman, Sid. Unrest in Minneapolis echoes summer of 1967. Star Tribune. May 30, 2020

External links

• Protests, Riots, & Looting Break Out Across the U.S. Over Murder of George Floyd - Part 1 on YouTube
• Protests, Riots, & Looting Break Out Across the U.S. Over Murder of George Floyd - Part 2 on YouTube