Fiery protests erupt on George Floyd anniversary as justice center set ablaze and cop car runs down cyclist
FIERY protests erupted nationwide as demonstrators torched a justice center in Portland and an NYPD cop car appeared to knock over a cyclist.
Demonstrations took place across the country yesterday as Americans marked the one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd.
Floyd, 46, died on May 25 last year after ex-cop Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for almost nine and a half minutes.
Chauvin was convicted of the black father's murder while three other officers also involved in the arrest await trial in August.
Around 200 protesters chanted “Burn It Down” as fires were lit outside the Multnomah County Justice Center in Portland, Oregon.
And, demonstrators smashed the windows of a Starbucks shop and a steak house restaurant, The Oregonian reports.
Some protesters reportedly wore helmets and gas masks.
Five people were arrested and booked into jail on various charges including criminal mischief, arson, and riot, DailyMail.com reports.
In New York City, footage shared on Twitter appears to show the moment an NYPD vehicle knocked over a cyclist near Brooklyn Bridge.
The cyclist reportedly suffered minor injuries.
The demonstrations occurred on the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd.
Conservative firebrand Candace Owens told Tucker Carlson on Fox News last night: "I cringe when people call it Black Lives Matter protests because it's Black Lives Matter riots. The cities burned for six weeks straight following the death of George Floyd."
Yesterday, Joe Biden welcomed Bridgett Floyd, his daughter Gianna Floyd, and Gianna's mother, Roxie Washington, to the White House.
After the meeting, Biden spoke about the "battle for the soul of America".
The president said: "The Floyd family has shown extraordinary courage, especially his young daughter Gianna who I met again today.
"The day before her father’s funeral a year ago, Jill and I met the family and she told me, ‘Daddy changed the world.'"
Biden called for lawmakers to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which is currently stalled in Congress.
Floyd’s brother Philonise said Biden is a “genuine guy” and speaks from the heart.
He said: “We're just thankful for what's going on and we just want the George Floyd Policing Act to be passed."
Gunshots were heard in Minneapolis yesterday ahead of a memorial for Floyd.
Crowds had begun to gather at the Minneapolis intersection where Floyd was killed.
The moment George Floyd protesters fled in terror was captured on camera as they ducked for cover and screamed for others to get down.
Minneapolis Police confirmed they responded to a report of a shooting just after 10am CT and workers were seen boarding up the window of a broken barbershop in the aftermath.
Police said one person later arrived at hospital with a gunshot wound.
The alleged victim has been described as in a “critical but non-life-threatening” condition.
Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.
The 45-year-old former cop was found guilty of all counts and now faces a maximum sentence of 75 years in jail.
As each of the charges against Chauvin was separate, jurors had to reach a separate verdict for each count.
They had to conclude Chauvin's actions were a “substantial causal factor” in Floyd’s death and that his use of force was unreasonable.
The Sun has approached the New York Police Department for comment.
Source: Read Full Article