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People run out of a smoke shop with smoking instruments after breaking in as police arrive on Monday, June 1, 2020, in New York. Protests were held throughout the city over the death of George Floyd, a black man in police custody in Minneapolis who died after being restrained by police officers on Memorial Day - Sputnik International

Live Updates: Mayhem in US Enters Seventh Day as Furious Riots Over Floyd's Death Continue

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Demonstrators across the United States have been protesting against police brutality and racism since 25 May, when George Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old African-American man, died at the hands of a white police officer in the city of Minneapolis.

Over a thousand people have been detained in the United States during riots sparked by the death of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man who died last week in Minneapolis police custody, including 400 protesters in Los Angeles, 240 in Chicago, 350 in New York, and over 100 people in Philadelphia, according to authorities.

The riots have already left hundreds of people injured, according to reports.

A seventh consecutive night of riots in US cities is ongoing after nationwide protests over Floyd’s death following his arrest by four police officers in Minneapolis started last week. A video that went viral shows a white policeman, Derek Chauvin, pinning Floyd to the ground with his knee on his neck for nearly eight minutes. Floyd begged for air until becoming unresponsive. The man died at a local hospital shortly after.

US police have regularly used riot control weapons to disperse protesters in various cities. 

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12:03 GMT 02.06.2020
11:06 GMT 02.06.2020
10:45 GMT 02.06.2020

The Minneapolis public school board will decide through a vote on Tuesday whether to terminate the contract for services with the US city's police department following the brutal killing of an African-American man in police custody, which incited rage among the country's population and concerns over child safety in public schools.

The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers also called on the school board to cut financial ties with the local police and terminate the district's contract with the law enforcement body.

According to the drafted resolution published on Tuesday, the "recent actions of officers in the Minneapolis Police Department run directly counter to the values the District seeks in partners; and ... the District has decided the current contract and any continuing contract for services with the Minneapolis Police Department do not align with the priorities of the District's equity and social emotional learning goals".

The document added that Minneapolis Public Schools were committed to eliminating any forms of institutional racism to provide students with a safe and healthy environment.

"SO, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors, Special School District No. 1, terminates the Contract for Services with the Minneapolis Police Department for the services of School Resource Officers, and directs the Superintendent to take action necessary to terminate the contract", the resolution read.

10:44 GMT 02.06.2020

"We, here in Europe, like the people of the United States, we are shocked and appalled by the death of George Floyd. And we think all societies must remain vigilant against the excess of use of force and ensure that all such incidents are addressed swiftly, effectively and in full respect with the rule of law and human rights", High Representative of the European Union Josep Borrell told a press conference.

It is important that the people in charge of imposing order are not abusing their power, the EU high representative said.

"We support the right to peaceful protest. And also we condemn violence and racism of any kind", Borrell said.

The EU is calling for de-escalation and believes that the people in the US can heal as a nation, Borrell said.

09:01 GMT 02.06.2020

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Oregon Governor Kate Brown said that she has refused Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's request to activate the National Guard in response to the anti-racism protests in the US city and allowed them to only provide support despite President Donald Trump's threats to deploy the military to US cities if governors fail to suppress the ongoing riots.

"Mayor Wheeler asked me over the weekend to mobilise the National Guard and put them in direct confrontation with protesters. This wasn't the first time that the mayor asked to mobilise the National Guard, and not the first time I have declined", Brown said at a press conference on Monday evening.

Brown added that she had asked the Oregon State Police to deploy additional officers to support Portland police the previous night. Moreover, 50 National Guard servicemen were ready and could arrive in Portland within a few minutes, but they were not asked for help, the governor said.

Brown said she was sending 100 state police officers to Portland and asking the 50 National Guard troops "to provide a support function only". They will be unarmed, she specified.

She is also calling in 50 Oregon National Guard members to do the same.

08:27 GMT 02.06.2020

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called on the country's embassy in Washington to investigate the violent actions of US police officers toward Australian journalists covering the protests provoked by the death of African American George Floyd in US police custody, the 7News broadcaster reported on Tuesday.

On Monday, 7News US correspondent Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers were attacked by police officers during their coverage of riots near the White House in Washington. Earlier, Australian correspondents from 7News and 9News were attacked and searched by police in Minneapolis during two different incidents in which anti-racism riots had broken out.

The Australian Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance has sent a letter to the US ambassador in the country condemning the aggressive actions of the law enforcement authorities.

07:54 GMT 02.06.2020

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, an officer was shot in the area of the Las Vegas Strip and another was involved in a shooting in the downtown area. The department, however, didn't elaborate on the officers' condition following the incidents.

According to the city-based 8 News Now broadcaster, the shooting incident took place near the Circus Circus hotel and casino.

06:16 GMT 02.06.2020
01:05 GMT 02.06.2020

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Around 200 "anti-racism protesters" have been arrested in the US state of Virginia’s capital city of Richmond for curfew violations, Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality movement leader Phil Wilayto said.

"About 200 people were arrested. They were marching to protest the 8 p.m. curfew that was imposed by the mayor that night," Wilayto said.

None of the protesters were beaten or injured, but all arrested persons had to spend several hours in buses before they were transported to the jail, the activist said.

"The buses did not have bathrooms, so the police put a bucket in the back of each vehicle," Wilayto added.

He said police refused to remove handcuffs while people were waiting for release. "When this goes on for hours - in some cases for up to 19 hours, it is really a form of torture and was very traumatic for these young people," he said.

Wilayto was not arrested but helped to release two of his friends who spent a night in detention. "They were released about 8 a.m. this morning on their own personal recognizance, which means they did not have to pay bail money," he said. "I think the city government basically wanted to keep them in jail for the night so they would not return to the streets to protest again."

Americans, who march over George Floyd's death, are protesting against racial and economic disparity, Wilayto said. "These demonstrations represent a reaction to what has seemed like an endless series of killings of black people by police officers, as well as the deep and ongoing racial and economic inequalities that have long characterized US society," he added.

Speaking of ways to prevent violence, the activist urged authorities to eliminate racial oppression, police brutality and poverty. All these things represent roots of the outrage, he added.

"The brutal, deliberate and racist murder of George Floyd was only the most recent police killing of a Black person," Wilayto said, providing several other examples of deadly violence by police officers towards Afro-Americans.

Economic lockdown, caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is one of the factors why current protests became so broad and violent, Wilayto supposed. "This closure, while important to address the dangers of the virus, has had a severe economic impact on working people - with a disproportionate toll on Black and other people of color," he said.

The civil rights activist said there is no national leadership at this time that can provide direction to this rebellion, clearly articulate demands and propose a plan of action.

'This will probably happen on local levels, but not on a national level," Wilayto said.

23:23 GMT 01.06.2020

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Law enforcement officers in riot gear fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Lafayette Square, which is located in front of the White House.

Television footage on CNN on Monday showed a large number of police officers in riot gear aggressively charge protesters while deploying tear gas to push the demonstration back.

23:01 GMT 01.06.2020

KRASNOYARSK (Sputnik) - There are no Russian citizens among those injured during ongoing protests in the United States that erupted in the wake of the death of African American man George Floyd in police custody, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday.

"As of Sunday, according to the data of our Russian embassy in Washington, which accumulates information from all foreign facilities throughout the United States, according to them, thank God, there are no victims among our citizens," Zakharova said, as aired by the Rossiya 1 broadcaster.

The spokeswoman also addressed an assault by police on RIA Novosti correspondent, Mikhail Turgiyev. The reporter was pepper-sprayed in the face by a Minneapolis police officer despite identifying himself as a journalist, while covering protests against police brutality and racism on Sunday.

Zakharova said that the Foreign Ministry and the Russian embassy in the United States had expressed protest in connection with "clearly, intentionally aggressive, unacceptable actions against the Russian journalist," adding that the US police should not distinguish between foreign and local reporters.

Reporters from other media outlets have also been subject to harassment while attempting to cover the ongoing riots. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz apologized to reporters who had been detained or attacked by the police on Sunday. The Russian Embassy in the US, ​​in turn, sent a note of protest to the US State Department.

21:12 GMT 01.06.2020

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - An additional 1,100 members of the California National Guard were activated on Monday as riots across the state - and throughout the United States - continue following the death of African American man George Floyd in police custody, Governor Gavin Newsom told reporters.

"Today, we added another 1,100, so we have over 4,500 National Guard men and women that are available throughout the state of California," Newsom said during a press briefing on Monday.

Newsom said violence is spurred by anarchists and groups highlighted by the president

The governor said the violence has been spurred by "anarchists" and out of state groups already denounced by US President Donald Trump such as Antifa as being behind the riots across the United States.

Newsom noted that the authorities are taking the appropriate measures to ensure safety and security in California.

19:51 GMT 01.06.2020

On Monday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo established a curfew for New York City, and doubled the number of police officers, from 4,000 to 8,000.

The curfew will start at 11 p.m. on Monday, and last until 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Cuomo's statement came via radio following Sunday night protests that in some areas saw looting and property damage.

Demonstrators across the United States have been protesting against police brutality and racism since 25 May after George Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old African American man, died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

18:45 GMT 01.06.2020

"She recounted the story in detail to me", New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "She was acting peacefully. She believes that everything that did was in the spirit of peaceful, respectful protest".

De Blasio said he was not informed that his daughter, 25, intended to participate in the protests in Manhattan over the weekend and became aware of her arrest via the media.

The mayor also said he admires the fact that his daughter was trying to change peacefully something that she found to be unjust.

"She believes a lot of changes are needed. I am proud of her that she cares so much", de Blasio said.

17:55 GMT 01.06.2020

"There should be a national ban on excessive force by police officers. There should be a national ban on chokeholds. Period. There should be independent investigations of police abuse", New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo told reporters.

Cuomo also said disciplinary records of police officers being probed should be disclosed. Moreover, he called for an anti-poverty agenda, education equity, as well as a real national affordable housing plan.

17:55 GMT 01.06.2020
16:54 GMT 01.06.2020

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Police in Minneapolis have opened fire at a media team from the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle that was attempting to cover the ongoing protests in the northern city after the death of an African-American male in police custody, the broadcaster said on Monday.

According to the broadcaster, Stefan Simons and a film crew were shot at by police on Sunday evening as they tried to report on an incident that saw a man drive a tanker truck into a crowd of thousands of people on a Minneapolis highway. The driver was later arrested and no protesters were harmed.

Police used non-lethal rounds during the incident, the broadcaster said, adding that Simons was also shot at by police on Saturday evening. The reporter has been harassed numerous times and threatened with arrest while in Minneapolis, the broadcaster stated.

16:45 GMT 01.06.2020

NEW YORK (Sputnik) - New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday said he is considering imposing a curfew following three nights of destructive protests across the city.

“To date, we have not believed a curfew was the right strategy, but the [Police] Commissioner and I are gonna talk about it as an option today”, de Blasio told reporters.

The mayor said he would also discuss the potential curfew with New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, adding that there are “advantages and disadvantages” to the measure.

“Previous nights were different than what we saw last night, so we are weighing that right now”, de Blasio pointed out inferring to the destruction made to the city property on Sunday night.

16:32 GMT 01.06.2020

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The Washington Metropolitan Police Department (WMPD) has arrested 88 people during the violent protests against the killing of George Floyd while in police custody, WMPD Chief Peter Newsham said during a press conference on Monday.

"Preliminary, we made 88 arrests and 44 of those individuals were charged for felony riding. There was a significant number arrested for violating of the curfew", Newsham told reporters.

Newsham said most of the individuals arrested are from the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

The police chief explained that the WMPD is investigating whether the violent protests were organized and by whom.

The police chief added that they noticed most protesters adhered to the curfew put in place by the authorities, giving the police an opportunity to focus on addressing the instances of violence and looting.

Newsham warned that any individuals who do not adhere to the new curfew beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday will be taken into custody. Members of the press and others conducting so-called "essential" services will be excluded from the curfew, he added.

Newsham also said that members of the media who have been attacked by police during the protests can file a complaint to the WMPD in order to be investigated.

14:14 GMT 01.06.2020

NEW YORK (Sputnik) - More than 350 people were arrested on various charges during overnight protests in New York City, Police Department spokeswoman Sergeant Mary Frances O’Donnell has stated.

“Over 350 people”, O'Donnell said when asked about the number of arrests made, adding that charges were “all over the place”.

O’Donnell said that the number of police officers and protesters injured in the clashes is currently being assessed, as is the damage caused to the city property.

14:06 GMT 01.06.2020

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A peaceful protest in solidarity with George Floyd, an African-American man who died as a result of violence in Minneapolis police custody, planned to be held in the Australian city of Sydney has been cancelled by the organizers over the fear of clashes, media reported on Monday.

According to the 7News broadcaster, the march was scheduled for Tuesday, with thousands of demonstrators set to attend the nationwide rallies to protest against Floyd's brutal death, as well as the misrepresentation of Indigenous Australians in the country's legal system.

According to the Sydney protest organisers, "although Australia is far from where the murder took place, we have a voice", as quoted by the broadcaster.

"This event was meant to be a time for Aboriginal voices to be heard, but due to uncertainty of safety for all involved, we would like to advise cancellation of the protest. Safety is always a priority, and it breaks the hearts of everyone involved to have to cancel this event", the organizers added.

According to the media outlet, rallies in the Australian cities of Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide are planned to take place on Saturday.

14:05 GMT 01.06.2020

"I am overwhelmed about the response and how much people care. I think the reason why it affected people so much is because everyone was watching had a chance, had to see someone die in front of your eyes. And if you have a heart, you know, if you have a heart that beats and pumps the blood that runs through your veins, then it can't do anything but change you", Angela Harrelson, the aunt of George Floyd, an African-American man who died as a result of violence in police custody, told the RT broadcaster.

According to Harrelson, they had many things to do together with Floyd and plenty of plans.

"I am still trying to cope with the fact that he is no longer here", she added.

13:57 GMT 01.06.2020
13:53 GMT 01.06.2020

Louisville has witnessed escalating protests in recent days over the 13 March killing of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed black woman whom police shot dead in her home when they entered to execute a search warrant targeting her ex-boyfriend.

The protests in Kentucky come amid widespread nationwide unrest over the 25 May killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was strangled by a police officer while handcuffed and in custody.

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