The death of George Floyd, a black man who died on Memorial Day after he was pinned down by a white Minnesota police officer, has sparked outrage and protests in Minneapolis and across the United States.
City leaders have pleaded with communities to voice their outrage in a lawful manner, but the widespread escalation of protests continued Friday night and Saturday night.
Police have made 1,669 arrests across 22 U.S. cities since Thursday, according to numbers released by The Associated Press.
In the wake of Floyd’s death, murder and manslaughter charges have been filed against Derek Chauvin, the officer who prosecutors say held his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. Chauvin and the other three officers at the scene have been fired. The Department of Justice is investigating.
This story will be updated throughout the day. Please check back for updates. All times Eastern.
11:50 a.m.: NYC police cars plow through crowd, mayor calls for investigation
In New York City, mostly peaceful daytime marches on Saturday turned violent overnight, with people throwing projectiles and torching police cars.
At least 345 people were arrested, according to police sources.
At least 33 officers were injured, including some seriously, police sources said, and dozens police cars were damaged or destroyed.
But police are also facing criticism after NYPD SUVs drove through a Brooklyn crowd where people were holding a metal barricade.
There was no loss of life and no major injuries.
Mayor Bill de Blasio is calling for an investigation which will be led by the city’s corporation counsel and Department of Investigation commissioner.
“There were many things done right by the NYPD,” he said, but “there were also mistakes that must be investigated.”
Overall, he said the NYPD demonstrated “tremendous restraint.”
11:25 a.m.: Curfew extended after dozens arrested overnight in Minneapolis
Dozens of people — possibly about 100 — were arrested overnight in Minneapolis, the epicenter of the protests.
AR-15s were among the guns confiscated from protesters, officials said. Cars without any license plates or lights drove through communities, and when they were pulled over, drivers fled on foot, officials said.
One officer was shot at but was not hit, officials said. The two people in the car from which the shot was fired were arrested and an AR-15 was recovered in that case, officials said.
Authorities shutdown major freeways in the city and closed off key routes between Minneapolis and St. Paul to prevent groups from moving between the two cities. A police line blocked the Ford Parkway Bridge.
About 40 minutes after Saturday’s 8 p.m. curfew began, riot police seemed to appear from every direction, dozens coming off of city buses and deploying flashbangs and tear gas.
But unlike the violent protests in Minneapolis earlier in the week, Saturday night did not see fires set, looting or destruction of property, police said.
The curfew and freeway closings will be extended into Sunday night, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said.
At a Sunday morning press conference, Walz said he’s proud of Minnesota’s accomplishments, and that the state ranks second to Hawaii for happiness — but only for Minnesota’s white residents.
“You cannot continue to say you’re a great place to live if your neighbor, because of the color of their skin, doesn’t have that same opportunity,” Walz said.
Floyd’s family has asked Walz to let Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison prosecute the case, the governor said. No decision has been made, he added.
Walz said rapper Jay-Z called him to discuss the protests and brought up his concern about hoping the prosecution will move forward fairly.
“It wasn’t Jay-Z, international, you know, celebrity… it was a dad, and quite honestly, a black man whose visceral pain” was clear, the governor said.
“He was passionate, he was gracious,” Walz said. “He knows that the world is watching how Minnesota handles this” and that that’ll have “an impact across the country.”
10:50 a.m.: Chicago announces new protest precautionary measures
After “multiple public safety incidents and property damage” during protests overnight, Chicago officials on Sunday announced new precautionary measures for the city.
Access to Chicago’s Central Business District and Loop will only be available for people who live in the area, work in the area and who are there to engage in essential activities, the city said.
Train and bus service will also be suspended for the Loop area “for public safety reasons.”
“Following today’s announcement, the City is working closely with the organizers of rallies and protests scheduled to take place within the area this afternoon to provide an alternative, optional route for marches to peacefully and safely return in Chicago,” city officials said.
A citywide curfew is effective from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily until further notice.
10:12 a.m.: Richmond police investigating shooting incident during protests
Police in Richmond, Virginia, are investigating a shooting that took place around 1 a.m. during the overnight protests.
A man suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound when the car he was riding in came in contact with a group of protesters.
Detectives have determined the gunshots came from behind the car. There is no suspect description at this time and the investigation is ongoing.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said he’s authorized a curfew in Richmond and has placed the Virginia National Guard on alert.
“They stand ready to assist in protecting our residents, businesses, especially small and black-owned businesses, and the capital city,” Northam said in a statement Sunday,
“I acknowledge each of the voices crying out for justice and healing across the United States and in our Commonwealth. I affirm the deep concerns from the black community,” he said. “As Governor of Virginia, I call on all Virginians to join together and build a renewed commitment to working for justice and fair treatment.”
9:45 a.m.: 16 states have activated or plan to activate National Guard
As of Sunday morning, at least 16 states have activated or plan to activate the National Guard.
Approximately 5,000 guard soldiers and airmen have been activated with another 2,000 prepared to activate if needed, according to the National Guard.
According to an ABC News count, 14 states have activated the National Guard, including California, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, Georgia, Colorado, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Texas, Utah, Washington state, Tennessee, Nevada and North Dakota.
Washington, D.C., has also activated the National Guard due to protests.
5:57 a.m.: At least 1 killed in shooting during Indianapolis protests
Police Chief Randal Taylor of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department held a press conference late last night confirming that at least one person has been shot and killed and three more people had been shot throughout the day as protests engulfed the city.
“Earlier this evening our officers worked to protect our residents’ right to peaceful protests. Most of those protesters cooperated and did a fine job. For that, we’re thankful. However, there was a small group of people that escalated to violent acts, including throwing projectiles at officers and breaking windows of government buildings,” Taylor said. “Since then, we have seen continued and escalating incidents of violence. This includes shots fired and loss of life. This is not acceptable in this community. This behavior will not be tolerated by IMPD.”
“We’re asking that residents who do not live in the downtown area go home. Enough is enough. Indianapolis, we are better than this. Downtown is not safe at this time. Residents who do not live in the downtown area, we’re asking to please vacate the area,” Taylor added.
The IMPD did not give any further details on the circumstances around the death of the individual involved in the shooting and said that they had “lost count” of the number of reported shots being fired across the city.
4:32 a.m.: 28 arrested in Nashville; horses used to back crowd away from precinct
A total of 28 people have been arrested by the Metro Nashville Police Department after the 10 p.m. curfew took effect.
Earlier in the day, protesters marched down Broadway and 1st Avenue North arriving at 1 Public Square to continue protesting outside of the Metropolitan Nashville Courthouse.
Protesters could be seen shouting “no peace” and “don’t shoot’ as they gathered on the steps of Public Square Park.
Protesters reportedly broke out windows of Metro courthouse and spray-painted obscenities against law enforcement on the walls and sidewalk.
A group of people also managed to break into the Metro courthouse and set fire to the outside and inside of the building before authorities were able to disperse the crowd using fireworks and a smoke bomb. Protesters could also be seen outside the front of the courthouse burning an American flag.
3:39 a.m.: Target temporarily closes 175 stores in 13 states due to protests
Target released a new statement late Saturday night announcing that they will be temporarily closing 175 stores due to ongoing protests.
They have closed 71 stores in Minnesota; 49 stores in California; four stores in Colorado; two stores in Georgia; seven stores in Illinois; one store in Michigan; five stores in Missouri; 12 stores in New York; one store in Nebraska; eight stores in Oregon; four stores in Pennsylvania; nine stores in Texas; and two stores in Wisconsin.
Team members impacted by store closures will be paid for up to 14 days of scheduled hours during store closures, including COVID-19 premium pay.
2:02 a.m.: Atlanta police arrest 70 people, majority of protesters have now dispersed
Atlanta Police have issued a statement saying that they are no longer working any major incidents and the vast majority of protesters have dispersed.
A total of 70 people have been arrested Saturday night into Sunday morning.
“As of 1:30 a.m., APD officers were not working any major incidents and it appeared that the vast majority of protesters had dispersed. Officers arrested 70 individuals Saturday night, into Sunday morning,” the APD said in the statement.
1:42 a.m.: Denver authorities arrest 18 as protests ease from previous 2 nights
Denver officials say a curfew helped keep Saturday night’s protests around the state capitol much more peaceful than the previous two nights when businesses, city and state buildings took significant damage.
“We’re serious about this. This was not a game to be played. Lives were at stake. Very serious property damage was at stake. We weren’t going to stand for it again in this city,” Denver Mayor Michael Hancock told ABC News’ Denver affiliate KMGH. “We meant this curfew. We will continue to enforce it accordingly.”
The Denver Police Chief told KMGH that the department arrested 18 people Saturday night, including one man allegedly carrying this handgun illegally.
Throughout the day and evening, several skirmishes broke out between police and protesters, who built makeshift roadblocks and set them on fire as police in riot gear advanced, firing teargas to clear the streets. One woman was reportedly shot at point blank range in the back by an officer firing a pepper ball round and several cars were also burned.
Things are mostly quiet now, with a few remaining protesters and police on the streets. Denver’s curfew is in effect until 5 a.m. local time and again on Sunday night.
1:34 a.m.: Houston mayor says George Floyd’s body will return to Houston
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has said the body of Houston native George Floyd will return to the city.
Turner spoke to the community late Saturday afternoon and encourage residents to protest peacefully, after looting was reported on the first night.
“This is our house. This is the same city that George Floyd grew up,” Turner said. “And his body will be returning to this city. To his city.”
Fort Bend Memorial Planning Center in Rosharon, Texas, posted a flyer on Facebook with a picture of Floyd, stating funeral arrangements are forthcoming.
Floyd’s family and attorneys have yet to confirm funeral arrangements for the 46-year-old.
“The focus needs to be on supporting and uplifting his family. And that’s what I want to keep bringing this conversation to. George Floyd. It’s not about these other individuals, who won’t be a moment. It’s about George Floyd, and justice for George Floyd,” said Turner.
1:12 a.m.: Protests mount in Ferguson, Missouri
Ferguson, Missouri, tonight has taken a violent turn as protesters have vandalized the police department.
Notably, Ferguson was the center of civil of unrest in 2014 after the fatal police shooting of Mike Brown by police officer Darrel Wilson.
Per the St. Louis County Police Department, all non-essential personnel have been evacuated at the Ferguson Police Department.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson declared a state of emergency late Saturday and activated the Missouri National Guard to stand ready to assist.
A total of two officers were injured and transported to the hospital while two others were treated on the scene for minor injures.
Crowds have now dispersed and officers will continue patrol for the night.
12:53 a.m.: Miami-Dade Police arrest 38 people, suspends all transit services on Sunday
The Miami-Dade Police Department have announced that 38 people have been arrested so far after Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez signed a local state of emergency declaration, ordering a curfew that took place at 10 p.m. last night until 6 a.m. on Sunday after some protesters began to burn police cars at the Miami Police Station.
The Department of Transportation and Public Works also has suspended all Miami-Dade Transit services on Sunday, May 31, including Metrorail, Metromover and Metrobus. This decision was made in an abundance of caution, and to ensure the safety of all passengers and employees, according to a statement released by Miami-Dade County.
12:46 a.m.: Biden releases statement on protests, urges understanding but cautions against ‘needless destruction’
Former vice president Joe Biden released a paper statement just after midnight eastern on the ongoing unrest and protests currently gripping several major American cities, urging an understanding of the trauma many people of color in America are facing in the wake of George Floyd’s death, but also speaking out against the “needless destruction,” that is playing out as a result of the protests.
“These last few days have laid bare that we are a nation furious at injustice. Every person of conscience can understand the rawness of the trauma people of color experience in this country, from the daily indignities to the extreme violence, like the horrific killing of George Floyd,” Biden wrote.
“Protesting such brutality is right and necessary. It’s an utterly American response. But burning down communities and needless destruction is not. Violence that endangers lives is not. Violence that guts and shutters businesses that serve the community is not,” he added.
The presumptive Democratic nominee also added that the protests going on tonight should not overshadow the cause they are trying to advance.
“The act of protesting should never be allowed to overshadow the reason we protest. It should not drive people away from the just cause that protest is meant to advance,” Biden wrote.
Biden also acknowledged the widespread pain across the country, not only from the pain of Floyd’s death, but from coronavirus as well, relating to the feeling of grief, but implored the country to use the current anger to “compel our nation across this turbulent threshold into the next phase of progress, inclusion, and opportunity for our great democracy.”
“I know that there are people all across this country who are suffering tonight. Suffering the loss of a loved one to intolerable circumstances, like the Floyd family, or to the virus that is still gripping our nation. Suffering economic hardships, whether due to COVID-19 or entrenched inequalities in our system. And I know that a grief that dark and deep may at times feel too heavy to bear,” Biden said.
“I know.”
“And I also know that the only way to bear it is to turn all that anguish to purpose. So tonight, I ask all of America to join me — not in denying our pain or covering it over– but using it to compel our nation across this turbulent threshold into the next phase of progress, inclusion, and opportunity for our great democracy.”
“We are a nation in pain, but we must not allow this pain to destroy us. We are a nation enraged, but we cannot allow our rage to consume us. We are a nation exhausted, but we will not allow our exhaustion to defeat us,” the statement said.
Biden also pledged, if elected, to help lead a conversation on the issues that have caused the current unrest, and referenced again his recent conversation with George Floyd’s family and a promise he made to ensure his death will not just be a “hashtag.”
“As President, I will help lead this conversation — and more importantly, I will listen. I will keep the commitment I made to George’s brother, Philonise, that George will not just be a hashtag. We must and will get to a place where everyone, regardless of race, believes that ‘to protect and serve’ means to protect and serve them,” Biden wrote.
“Please stay safe. Please take care of each other,” he added, ending his statement.
12:39 a.m.: Los Angeles issues mandatory curfew for the entire city
The Los Angeles Police Department has issued a mandatory curfew from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for the entire city. No one is allowed on the streets and people found in violation of this order are subject to arrest.
The LAPD initially issued the curfew for the downtown area of the city but have now expanded it to include the entire city.
ABC News’ Aaron Katersky, Christine Theodorou, Ahmad Hemingway, Josh Hoyos, Alexandra Faul, Marcus Moore, Clayton Sandell, Bonnie McLean, Sarah Shales, Luis Martinez and John Verhovek contributed to this report.
