Two days after the death of an unarmed black man at the hands of a police officer, protesters marched in the streets of at least three major US cities.
In Minneapolis, where George Floyd was killed Monday, the second night of protests were marked by looting and buildings on fire as crowds of protesters clashed with police, who fired back with tear gas, according to observations from CNN’s team on the scene and police.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who warned Wednesday night of an “extremely dangerous situation” at the protest, urged demonstrators to remain peaceful — a plea echoed by Floyd’s family members.
Early Thursday morning, police said a man was fatally shot near the scene of the protests. One person was arrested and police said they’re investigating the nature of the incident.
In Los Angeles, hundreds of people marched to protest Floyd’s death and police brutality. At one point, some demonstrators attacked a California Highway Patrol car.
“Peaceful demonstrations are a hallmark of our country. Violence is unwarranted and takes away from the message. I urge all of us to protest peacefully for the sake of everyone’s public safety,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement.
In Memphis, Tennessee, police responded to a protest in riot gear and at least two people were arrested, CNN affiliate WHBQ reported.
The unrest followed the shock and anger that poured through communities across the country as video of Floyd’s last moments alive began circulating on social media. The 46-year-old man was handcuffed and on the ground as he pleaded that he couldn’t breathe while a police officer held him down with a knee on his neck. Three others were also at the scene.
