US: Clashes erupt in multiple cities amid fourth consecutive day of protests May 29 /update 5

Event

Clashes between police and protesters erupted in multiple cities across the US on Friday, May 29, as demonstrations over the death in police custody of George Floyd continued for a fourth consecutive night. Demonstrations were held in Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco (California), Denver (Colorado), Atlanta (Georgia), Chicago (Illinois), Des Moines (Iowa), Indianapolis, Fort Wayne (Indiana), Louisville (Kentucky), New Orleans (Louisiana), New York (New York), Boston (Massachusetts), Detroit (Michigan), Minneapolis (Minnesota), Las Vegas (Nevada), Charlotte (North Carolina), Columbus, Cincinnati (Ohio), Portland (Oregon), Dallas, Houston (Texas), Richmond (Virginia), and Washington DC, among other smaller locations.

Whilst many demonstrations remained peaceful, unrest broke out in a number of cities, with reports of vandalism, looting, and clashes between police and protesters. In Minnesota, where protests began and have been the most volatile, officials imposed a 20:00 to 06:00 (local time) curfew in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul for Friday and Saturday night following renewed unrest, which saw numerous vehicles set alight and shops looted around the Third and Fifth Precincts. A state of emergency was also declared in Georgia's Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, after a number of buildings were vandalized and police vehicles burned in the city.

In Washington DC, protesters gathered in Lafayette Square, prompting a brief lockdown of the White House as police and Secret Service agents confronted the crowd. Meanwhile, in New York, dozens of people were arrested as police used batons and pepper spray to disperse a large protest near the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Unrest was also reported in Dallas, where police launched tear gas after being attacked with stones in the Downtown area, and Houston, with almost 200 people arrested. In California, large and occasionally violent protests were held in Downtown Los Angeles and Oakland, where police used tear gas to disperse crowds after a number of shops were vandalized and looted.

Further protests and unrest are likely in the area in the near term.

Context

George Floyd died while being arrested by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. The four arresting police officers were subsequently fired, and one has since been charged with murder. Black Lives Matter (BLM) supporters gathered on May 26 to denounce the death and actions of the police officers. Clashes ensued between protesters and riot police; with demonstrators throwing bricks and projectiles at police and police property, and police responding with tear gas and rubber bullets as they attempted to disperse the crowds. Protests have since spread to a number of cities across the US.

Advice

Individuals in the US are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.