Protests continued Saturday as more demonstrations erupted in cities nationwide following the death of Minneapolis man George Floyd.
In some cities, authorities issued curfews in light of the at-times violent protests and destruction taking place.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms established a curfew starting Saturday at 9 p.m. following a night of disruptive and at-time violent protests.
An Atlanta Police Department vehicle burns during a demonstration against police violence, Friday, May 29, 2020 in Atlanta. The protest started peacefully earlier in the day before demonstrators clashed with police. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Protests continued Saturday and police arrested demonstrators that were purposefully blocking traffic.
Security officials surrouned Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s house as crowds of protesters gathered around the massion. A brick was reportedly thrown at one of the police officers.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms denounced the riots and said in a Saturday press conference, “When you run it down the street with a Gucci bag, that’s not about black people dying in America. That’s about killing ourselves when we do things like that.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a curfew Saturday night after 500 people were arrested and five police officers were hurt after protests turned violent.
A protester yells at police during a protest for George Floyd, in downtown Los Angeles, Friday, May 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
The curfew is mandatory in Downtown Los Angeles area from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
At least two patrol vehicles were set on fire.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney implemented a mandatory citywide curfew starting at 8 p.m. and lasting until 6 a.m. as protests turned violent Saturday.
Multiple police vehicles are reported to have been set on fire after protestors and police officers clashed.
A vehicle is on fire behind a protester holding a sign during a rally on Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Philadelphia, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being taken into police custody in Minneapolis. Floyd died after an officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Buildings have been vandalized and mass looting broke out Saturday afternoon.
Fox News Crew Chased, Attacked By Angry Mob While Reporting On Protests Outside White House
The protest started peacefully in front of City Hall as hundreds of people knelt in silence in honor of George Floyd.
“We appreciate their voice and their manner of expression. However, since that time, others have convened in Center City and are committing criminal acts, including vandalism. Those acts will not be tolerated,” the Philadelphia Police Department tweeted.
About 3,000 demonstrators took to the streets in Chicago Saturday, filling the streets and climbing on cars and buses.
Police and protesters clashed in front of Trump Tower after police with helmets and batons pushed demonstrators out of the way so a police car could get through.
Bottles and fireworks were reportedly thrown at police officers in front of Trump Tower.
Video posted to Twitter showed what appeared to be Chicago police officers being swarmed, hit and dragged by protesters.
In Chicago, 108 people have been arrested, but no serious injuries have been reported.
But police responded to over a dozen “police emergencies” as they tried to control the crowds.
Protesters again converged on the White House, as some climbed on top of Secret Service cars and pushed security barricades further down Pennsylvania Avenue.
POLICE CHIEFS ACROSS US CONDEMN OFFICERS INVOLVED IN GEORGE FLOYD DEATH
President Trump had praised the Secret Service’s action Friday night by saying the protestors would “…have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons,” had they crossed the White House fence. But Trump criticized D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for not letting D.C. police get involved, quoting her as saying “not their job.”
Bowser fired back, first calling Trump’s comments “gross” and saying his reference to attack dogs ignited the worst memories in America’s fight against segregation.
“We are grieving hundreds of years of institutional racism,” Bowser said. “People are tired, sad, angry and desperate for change.”
PROTESTS DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD RAMP UP AGAIN NATIONWIDE
Bowser, who was joined by D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham, also said that Trump’s claims regarding the D.C. police were false.
D.C. police were present, along with U.S. Park Police, Friday night and were ready to help Secret Service in Layfette Park, the area where protestors gathered in front of the White House, as they have done in the past.
Close to 300 protestors have reportedly been arrested in New York City between Thursday and Friday night, and demonstrators have continued to protest through Saturday.
New Yorkers mourned the death of Eric Garner who died from an NYPD officer’s chokehold in 2014 by attending a rally the Rev. Al Sharpton hosted.
The crowd chanted “I can’t breathe,” which were the last words Garner reportedly said — but also one of the last statements said by Floyd before he was killed by a Minneapolis police officer.
LIVE UPDATES: PROTESTS CONTINUE ACROSS AMERICA IN WAKE OF GEORGE FLOYD DEATH
Trump has responded to the nationwide protests by blaming liberal leaders and threatening use of the military involvement.
In a tweet Saturday, he said: “Liberal Governors and Mayors must get MUCH tougher or the Federal Government will step in and do what has to be done, and that includes using the unlimited power of our Military.”
