US troops are expected to assist with security measures in Washington, DC, amid demonstrations related to the May 25 killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Video posted on social media by reporter Philip Crowther captured the National Guard between the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and the White House.
The National Guard has arrived. This is between the Executive Office Building and the White House. pic.twitter.com/2HXXRLABYB
— Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) June 1, 2020
Sputnik correspondent Sean Blackmon captured footage of the military vehicles arriving in the US capital.
Military vehicles with troops and and an unmarked bus roll out a couple hours before curfew #DCProtests pic.twitter.com/mB84GbXi2Y
— Sean Blackmon (@SeanBlackmon9) June 1, 2020
According to CNN, a military police battalion comprised of between 200 to 250 active-duty troops is scheduled to arrive by Monday night. However, they will not have the authority to arrest or detain protesters.
Demonstrators near the White House were confronted by military police in riot gear. The authorities are expected to begin enforcing the curfew by 7 p.m. local time.
Military Police taking place outside The White House for the last hour before curfew. #dcprotests pic.twitter.com/q1lFhkFENm
— Let Me Change Your Life (@seventhbornson) June 1, 2020
Earlier Monday afternoon, Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced an extension to the city's curfew, which will now take place Monday night and Tuesday night.
— Michelle (@lengthofrope) June 1, 2020
A continuation of these nationwide race-related demonstrations comes alongside the release of Floyd's updated autopsy report by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner in Minnesota.
Earlier Monday, Floyd family attorney Ben Crump held a press conference and unveiled details related to an independent autopsy conducted by renowned medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden. The family-ordered report and Crump's statements pushed back against a preliminary autopsy report that suggested there were "no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation."
Despite US President Donald Trump's vocal opposition to looting and riots, 45 has not announced any plans to invoke the Insurrection Act - the federal law that grants the US president the ability to deploy active-duty US troops to areas of unrest around the country.
