Live Updates: Protests Erupt in US's Atlanta as Black Man Shot Dead by Police During Arrest

Law enforcement in the Atlanta city of the southeastern US state of Georgia have used tear gas to disperse protesters who took to the streets after an African American man, Rayshard Brooks, was shot dead by a police officer during arrest, right in the midst of weeks of nationwide riots against police brutality and racial discrimination, US media reported on Sunday.

Two women, aged 27 and 28, were arrested after a statue of famous British explorer, Captain James Cook, in Sydney's Hyde Park was defaced, the New South Wales Police Force said in a statement on Sunday.

"Two women have been charged after a statue was allegedly defaced in Sydney’s CBD [central business district] early this morning. Police were alerted to graffiti on the statue in Hyde Park just after 4am (Sunday 14 June 2020)," NSW police said.

The women were found with a bag containing spray cans. They were both charged with destruction and damage of property and possession of graffiti with intent to contravene.

About a thousand protesters took down the statue of slave owner John McDonough from Duncan Plaza, marched it to the river and dumped it in the Mississippi this afternoon. Photo provided by a friend in the protest. pic.twitter.com/Q66ETM6opw

— john r stanton (@dcbigjohn) June 13, 2020

As of 21:00hrs more than 100 people have been arrested during today's protest for offences including breach of the peace, violent disorder, assault on officers, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of class A drugs, and drunk and disorder.

— MPS Events (@MetPoliceEvents) June 13, 2020

Protests in the United States against police brutality appear to have got a new impetus as another African American man, Rayshard Brooks, was killed by law enforcement officers during arrest in the Atlanta city of the southeastern Georgia state.

According to a press release by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the incident took place on Friday evening when police responded to a complaint about a man sleeping in a vehicle parked in the drive thru of a local Wendy's restaurant and obstructing other customers. Officers found 27-year-old Brooks indeed asleep and intoxicated.

"During a physical struggle with officers, Brooks obtained one of the officer's Tasers and began to flee from the scene.  Officers pursued Brooks on foot and during the chase, Brooks turned and pointed the Taser at the officer. The officer fired his weapon, striking Brooks," the press release read.

Five people have been detained and six policemen sustained minor injuries on Saturday during rallies of right-wing activists opposing Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and football fans in central London, the Metropolitan Police said.

La situation ce tend à #Marseille, la police vient de gazer le cortège, bloqué dans la rue de Rome. #ViolencesPolicieres #BlackLivesMatter #manifestation pic.twitter.com/6wGo8DZrQc

— Burn xam (@BurnXam) June 13, 2020

Racist thuggery has no place on our streets. Anyone attacking the police will be met with full force of the law. These marches & protests have been subverted by violence and breach current guidelines. Racism has no part in the UK and we must work together to make that a reality.

— Boris Johnson #StayAlert (@BorisJohnson) June 13, 2020

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The French police have detained 26 people who participated in an uncoordinated protest against racism and police brutality in Paris on Saturday, the Police Prefecture said.

The rally started earlier in the day on the Place de la Republique with protesters being expected to march toward the Palais Garnier but policemen cordoned off the area. According to French BFMTV broadcaster, some 15,000 people took part in the rally.

"As of 19:00 p.m. [17:00 GMT], law enforcement forces have made 26 detentions," the Paris Police Prefecture wrote on Twitter without specifying reasons for the detentions.

A wave of protests against racial inequality has swept through the United States and a number of other countries, including France, in the wake of African American man George Floyd’s death in police custody the US city of Minneapolis on May 25. French cities such as Marseille and Lyon, which also have large populations of African descent, are expecting similar marches over the weekend.

PARIS, June 13 (Sputnik) - Protesters have begun marching from central Paris’ Place de la Republique in Saturday’s large-scale march against racism and police brutality inspired by the US Black Lives Matter movement, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene.

Paris authorities have ordered stores and restaurants along the march’s route to close fearing eruptions of violence.

The gathering flaunts a communique released by the government reminding of the restriction of gatherings of more than 10 people.

The movement against racism that has swept the world following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police has evoked memories of Adama Traore in France. The Frenchman of African origin died in police custody in 2016 and his cause of death is yet to be determined.

French cities such as Marseille and Lyon, which also have large populations of African descent, are expecting similar marches over the weekend.

On Monday, police began moving certain things out of the East Precinct in moving vans and for the most part completely reduced the police presence in the Capitol Hill area altogether, Shauna Sowersby, Seattle-based Freelance reporter and photographer said.

“I have still seen a couple of police moving inside the building, but for the most part it is not operating at the moment. They didn’t move everything out either, there are clearly still office spaces that weren’t moved out,” Shauna Sowersby said.

“Police have stated they don’t intend to let the building be taken over, but have not stated when they expect to be back in the building. So in actuality CHAZ isn’t a true autonomous zone,” she added.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed legislation that promotes greater accountability for police officers and bans chokeholds after thousands of demonstrators demanded changes in the policing systems during the George Floyd Protests across the state.

"Iowa is ready and eager to act! Proud to sign HF [House File] 2647, legislation to promote greater accountability in policing," Reynolds tweeted on Friday.

The bill was passed by the Iowa House and Senate, and was supported by the lawmakers from both parties. The legislation bans chokeholds, allows the state attorney general to investigate deaths caused by police officers and prohibits law enforcement officers who have been fired for serious misconduct, namely repetitive use of excessive force, from being re-hired.

The governor pledged to do more to confront police brutality and said that "it is just the beginning" during a press conference.