US: Clashes erupt in multiple cities nationwide amid fifth consecutive day of protests May 30 /update 8

Event

Clashes between police and protesters have been reported in multiple cities across the US on Saturday, May 30, as demonstrations over the death in police custody of George Floyd continued for a fifth consecutive night. Demonstrations were held in Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco (California), Denver (Colorado), Miami, Jacksonville (Florida), Atlanta (Georgia), Chicago (Illinois), Des Moines (Iowa), Indianapolis, Fort Wayne (Indiana), Louisville (Kentucky), New Orleans (Louisiana), New York, Rochester (New York), Boston (Massachusetts), Detroit (Michigan), Minneapolis (Minnesota), Las Vegas (Nevada), Charlotte (North Carolina), Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland (Ohio), Portland (Oregon), Philadelphia, Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Dallas, Houston (Texas), Salt Lake City (Utah) Richmond (Virginia), and Washington DC, Seattle (Washington), Milwaukee (Wisconsin) among other locations.

While 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. Curfews are also in effect in Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Cleveland and Columbus, Portland, Rochester, Miami-Dade county, Milwaukee, and Salt Lake City on Saturday, due to major demonstrations. There have been reports of police using tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray, and other crowd dispersal techniques to cope with major crowds nationwide.

Further protests and unrest are likely in urban centers nationwide 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.