Demonstrators hold their fists in the air during at the Lincoln Memorial during a protest against police brutality and racism on June 6, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Win McNamee
People across the U.S. and other parts of the world are gathering in major demonstrations on Saturday against racism and police violence, marking the 12th consecutive night of protests since the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota last month.
In Washington D.C., thousands of people are expected to stage what could be the city’s biggest demonstration yet, and the police department there said it will close many streets until midnight.
Massive demonstrations have also broken out across the world from Europe to Australia, with tens of thousands of protesters calling for an end to racism and police brutality in their own countries.
More than 43,300 National Guard members are on duty on Saturday in 34 states and D.C to respond to protests, many of which have been peaceful. In some cases, peaceful protests have been followed with looting and violence at night.
A memorial service is being held in Raeford, North Carolina today for Floyd, a black man whom a white Minneapolis police officer pinned under his knee for more than eight minutes.
The incident was caught on video and the fired officer, Derek Chauvin, faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges. Three other officers were also fired and charged with aiding and abetting murder.
In response to widespread anger and protesting, some cities have responded to police brutality by suspending officers who have been caught on camera being violent towards protesters, as well as banning police tactics like chokeholds and the use of tear gas and rubber bullets.
Two Buffalo Police officers who have received national criticism after a video was captured showing them shoving a 75-year-old man to the ground and leaving him bleeding in front of Buffalo City Hall on Thursday night. They were charged with assault in the second degree on Saturday.
In Philadelphia, District Attorney Larry Krasner arrested and charged a city police department staff inspector with aggravated assault after the inspector struck a protesting college student in the head with a baton on Monday. The student had serious injuries including a head wound that required staples.
Two NYPD officers were also suspended after they were caught on video attacking demonstrators. One officer shoved a woman to the ground in Brooklyn and another officer pulled a protester’s facemask down and pepper sprayed him.
Other videos show multiple instances of abuse by New York officers, including one video that showed a police car plowing through a crowd of demonstrators and another of officers using batons against peaceful protesters in order to move them.
Minneapolis city leaders agreed on Friday to ban the use of chokeholds by police. In Seattle, police Chief Carmen Best ordered officers to stop using tear gas on protesters over the next 30 days.
And in Colorado, a federal judge in Denver passed a temporary restraining order on that Friday that bans police from using tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters.
Here are photos of demonstrations around the world:
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Protestors gather along 16th Street NW near the White House during George Floyd protests on June 6, 2020 in Washington, D.C.
Samuel Corum
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 06: Demonstrators gather in front of the Lincoln Memorial during a protest against police brutality and racism on June 6, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Win McNamee
Demonstrators gather at the Lincoln Memorial during a protest against police brutality and racism on June 6, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Win McNamee
PARIS, FRANCE
People gather on Champ de Mars in front of Eiffel Tower, in Paris on June 6, 2020, as part of ‘Black Lives Matter’ worldwide protests against racism and police brutality in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed while apprehended by police in Minneapolis, US.
GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT
NICE, FRANCE
People hold placards during a protest in the French riviera city of Nice, on June 6, 2020, as part of ‘Black Lives Matter’ worldwide protests against racism and police brutality in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed while apprehended by police in Minneapolis, US.
VALERY HACHE
TURIN, ITALY
People wear protective mask during the protest for the death of George Floyd on June 06, 2020 in Turin, Italy. The protest has been organized against racism after the death of George Floyd.
Stefano Guidi
General view of protest for the death of George Floyd on June 06, 2020 in Turin, Italy. The protest has been organized against racism after the death of George Floyd.
Stefano Guidi
FRANKFURT, GERMANY
30,000 people gather together in tribute to George Floyd during a protest against racism and police brutality on June 6, 2020 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Thomas Lohnes
BERLIN, GERMANY
Alexanderplatz seen fully crowded with people holding banners and placards as they stand in silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds in tribute to George Floyd during a protest against racism and police brutality on June 6, 2020 in Berlin, Germany.
Michele Tantussi
COLOGNE, GERMANY
People stand with raised fists during a silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds in tribute to George Floyd during a protest against racism and police brutality on June 06, 2020 in Cologne, Germany.
Andreas Rentz
MANCHESTER, UK
The crowd of protesters are seen at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Piccadilly Gardens on June 06, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Shirlaine Forrest
LONDON, UK
Protesters hold placards during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Parliament Square in central London on June 6, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.
Hollie Adams
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Protesters participate in a protest in Sydney to show solidarity with Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the US, which were sparked by the death of George Floyd and rally to stop Aboriginal deaths in custody after an appeal court’s last-minute decision to authorise the public gathering in Australia on June 6, 2020.
Anadolu Agency
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
People march across the Victoria Bridge on June 06, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. Events across Australia have been organised in solidarity with protests in the United States following the killing of an unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota and to rally against aboriginal deaths in custody in Australia.
Jono Searle
