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Texas Joins Black Lives Matter Protests in Wake of Police Killing of George Floyd - Photo, Video

© REUTERS / CALLAGHAN O'HAREProtesters rally against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Houston, Texas, U.S. June 2, 2020.
Protesters rally against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Houston, Texas, U.S. June 2, 2020.  - Sputnik International
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EL PASO (Sputnik) - More than 200 protesters gathered in the west Texas town of El Paso Tuesday night to condemn racism and police brutality in light of George Floyd's death.

The event was organised by a Latino activist group known as the Brown Berets Del Chuco, which aims to seek justice for minority groups.

"We want to say rest in peace to George Floyd and his family, our condolences", a member of the group told protesters.

Protesters held signs or wore clothing with the words, "I Can't Breathe" or "Black Lives Matter" in honour of Floyd. Several times throughout the demonstration protesters took a knee in honour of Floyd and tried to encourage law enforcement officers to join them but were unsuccessful.

© SputnikMore than 200 protesters gathered in the west Texas town of El Paso Tuesday night to condemn racism and police brutality in light of George Floyd's death
Texas Joins Black Lives Matter Protests in Wake of Police Killing of George Floyd - Photo, Video - Sputnik International
More than 200 protesters gathered in the west Texas town of El Paso Tuesday night to condemn racism and police brutality in light of George Floyd's death
© SputnikMore than 200 protesters gathered in the west Texas town of El Paso Tuesday night to condemn racism and police brutality in light of George Floyd's death
Texas Joins Black Lives Matter Protests in Wake of Police Killing of George Floyd - Photo, Video - Sputnik International
More than 200 protesters gathered in the west Texas town of El Paso Tuesday night to condemn racism and police brutality in light of George Floyd's death

More than a hundred National Guardsmen, US Customs and Border Protection agents, and state and local law enforcement officers in riot gear were present to contain the demonstration.

© SputnikMore than 200 protesters gathered in the west Texas town of El Paso Tuesday night to condemn racism and police brutality in light of George Floyd's death
Texas Joins Black Lives Matter Protests in Wake of Police Killing of George Floyd - Photo, Video - Sputnik International
More than 200 protesters gathered in the west Texas town of El Paso Tuesday night to condemn racism and police brutality in light of George Floyd's death

A Department of Homeland Security helicopter hovered over the demonstration throughout the night.

Although the demonstration ended peacefully and there was no clash between authorities and protesters, it did get emotional and tensions rose toward the end of the night. Several protesters talked about their personal experience with police brutality while others praised local law enforcement agencies.

© SputnikMore than 200 protesters gathered in the west Texas town of El Paso Tuesday night to condemn racism and police brutality in light of George Floyd's death
Texas Joins Black Lives Matter Protests in Wake of Police Killing of George Floyd - Photo, Video - Sputnik International
More than 200 protesters gathered in the west Texas town of El Paso Tuesday night to condemn racism and police brutality in light of George Floyd's death

Demonstrations also occurred in the Texas cities of San Antonio and Houston, where Floyd's family led a march of more than 60,000 people.

Floyd’s body will be transported to Houston early next week for his funeral and burial.

On 25 May, Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody after being arrested. A video of the arrest posted online shows a white police officer pressing his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes while he was laying on his stomach handcuffed and saying he couldn't breathe. Floyd's death sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and racism, but many turned into riots, which led to looting and arson.

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