It all started on 25 May when a 46-year-old black resident of Minneapolis was detained by the police for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 note and physically resisting law enforcement, according to police officers’ accounts. The man, who was later identified as George Floyd, was brutally pinned to the ground during his arrest, with one officer, Derek Chauvin, pressing his knee against the man’s neck for more than eight minutes despite the victim’s repeated calls that he could not breathe. Floyd was pronounced dead an hour later.
The events surrounding Floyd’s arrest are now painfully familiar around the world, as they were caught on camera by passersby and shared online, provoking public outcry.
Following the incident, protests erupted in Minneapolis, and soon spread to other cities across the United States, including Atlanta, New York, and Washington DC.
- Riots continue across the US. Minnesota has experienced the highest level of civil unrest following Floyd’s death. While many protests remained peaceful and called for justice, some demonstrators clashed with police and burned cars. Looters have also been in evidence around the state and a curfew has been imposed.
....These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
