Protests spreads across US demanding justice for George Floyd

Large numbers of protesters hit the streets at least in 30 American cities over the deadly arrest of George Floyd, an unarmed and handcuffed Black American man who was pinned to the ground by the knee of a Minneapolis police officer for several minutes.

Four officers who were involved in this incident were fired on the 26th of May. The officer who pinned Mr Floyd was identified as Derek Chauvin. He was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter over his role in Mr Floyd's death.

A protester carries the carries a U.S. flag upside, a sign of distress, next to a burning building Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

"He is in custody and has been charged with murder," Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman told a news briefing. "We have evidence, we have the citizen's camera's video, the horrible, horrific, terrible thing we have all seen over and over again, we have the officer's body-worn camera, we have statements from some witnesses."

Graphic video footage was circulating through the internet showing the arresting attempt of George Floyd. Video of the incident does not show how the confrontation started, but a white officer can be seen with his knee on Mr Floyd's neck, pinning him down while Floyd can be heard saying "please, I can't breathe".

Since that moment, people started to hit streets demanding justice for George Floyd. Later the protests transitioned to rioting and looting south of downtown Minneapolis spreading fear all over the area. On 28th, hundreds of protesters gathered around the Minneapolis police department's Third Precinct, climbing the building and lighting the exterior on fire.

Protests have followed the death of a black man after he was apprehended by police in Minneapolis (Yahoo News)

According to the latest reports, people gathered in cities all over the country including New York City, San Jose, Oakland, and Washington DC.

The state of Minnesota was planing on mobilizing National Guard soldiers to maintain peace in the area. Major General Jon Jensen, of the Minnesota National Guard, said he believed there could be more than 1,700 National Guard soldiers in the area by Sunday.

Earlier today, US President Donald Trump posted on twitter addressing the ongoing situation mentioning about the national guard deployment in Minneapolis.

The National Guard has arrived on the scene. They are in Minneapolis and fully prepared. George Floyd will not have died in vain. Respect his memory!!!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020

Social media network Twitter accused Mr Trump of glorifying violence in a post that said: "When the looting starts, the shooting starts."

....It was spoken as a fact, not as a statement. It’s very simple, nobody should have any problem with this other than the haters, and those looking to cause trouble on social media. Honor the memory of George Floyd!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020

Police departments are currently working on maintaining peace in public. Dozens of arrests reports from all over the country and New York City police department said the protests have now subsided in the city. Portland Police department declared a riot is taking place in the city and ordered people to go home. Curfew measures were announced in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Kentucky, New York and California.