Police in Washington DC are trying to prevent protesters from getting to the White House again, with sporadic clashes between officers and demonstrators reported.
UPDATE: Protest activity is now completely concentrated on Lafayette Square and the 1600 block of H. 90 minutes until curfew. No sign of the guard on city streets, only next to Park PD @nbcwashington @erika_news pic.twitter.com/twFyoBEvie
— Tom Lynch (@TomLynch_) June 1, 2020
Several people were injured in Washington DC when police pushed back protesters who threw water bottles and firecrackers at law enforcement officers. Police were trying to get protesters away from the White House as several fires were already burning along the fence that separated demonstrators from the police cordon.
Fires were set up in front of the White House just several minutes to curfew: the historic St. John's Episcopal Church, which was built in 1816, was also apparently set on fire.
⚠️⚠️ WATCH: Fire outside The White House growing larger and larger. pic.twitter.com/bpfT1ROPiT
— AS-Source News (@ASB_Breaking) June 1, 2020
Smoke from multiple fires rising up in front of the Washington Monument #Chopper4 looking south from Maryland, White House center screen. #BreakingNews @nbcwashington #protests2020 #GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/WNtPkgYCtD
— Brad Freitas (@Chopper4Brad) June 1, 2020
In downtown DC, protestors also set cars on fire.
DC protests two cars burned pic.twitter.com/eNDlJechVa
— Matthew Rodier (@mattrodierphot1) June 1, 2020
Cars being set on fire in downtown DC. About two blocks from the White House. @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/id9j662MkU
— Fin Gomez (@finnygo) June 1, 2020
Police used stun grenades and inert gas grenades against the protesters who attacked law enforcement officers with firecrackers.
Earlier in the day, demonstrators were heard chanting "let us march" as they were moving in towards the presidential residence.
The street is blocked by police at H and 15th, protestors are chanting “let us march”
— Kolbie Satterfield (@KolbieReports) May 31, 2020
Flash bangs continue to go off. #GeorgeFloydProtests #protests2020 @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/8pc9D5pIaG
Police apparently used tear gas and flash bangs to disperse the protesters.
Scene near Opaline near White House. We hear explosions (tear gas?). At least one protester was stomping on top the police car before law enforcement arrived. @wusa9 #GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/z88VMTOYh2
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) May 31, 2020
Police using flash bangs in downtown DC pic.twitter.com/1Uu7gMNRRy
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 31, 2020
Protesters were also captured throwing bottles at officers.
Another intense engagement. Protesters throw water bottles at police on Washington St. pic.twitter.com/6avfKi9JI5
— Clark Wade (@ClarkWade34) May 31, 2020
As it became dark, someone was heard playing the saxophone.
Thousands in front of The White House protesting peacefully chanting:
— Arjun Sethi (@arjunsethi81) June 1, 2020
“I can do this all night. We can do this all night.”
Hear the saxophone? Protesting can be joyous too. A few young people described it as a “celebration of life.” pic.twitter.com/kXrFo8Cn0j
A curfew was imposed in DC and will come into force starting at 11:00 pm local time (03:00 GMT on Sunday). Mayor Bowser has also activated the DC National Guard to support the Metropolitan Police Department.
Washington has seen anti-police protests over George Floyd's death for the third day in a row. Hundreds of people were seen in the centre of DC on Sunday, most of them concentrated in Lafayette Square. Lafayette Square, a park located adjacent to the presidential residence, has been closed to the public, with representatives of various law-enforcement agencies visible on the premises on Sunday.
