Protesters gather in major US cities on Saturday over death of George Floyd

People gathered in major cities across the United States to protest the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer, knelt on his neck for an extended period of time. Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder.

In the days after Floyd’s death, protests would continue across the country. Here is a brief snapshot of how some protests looked across the U.S. on Saturday, May 30.

Atlanta

Atlanta saw some of the most extreme unrest. While crews in that city worked to clean up glass and debris from rioting the night before, a large electronic billboard on Saturday morning still carried the message, “If you love Atlanta PLEASE GO HOME,” echoing the mayor’s pleas.

National Guard members blocked anyone from approaching heavily damaged buildings, including the College Football Hall of Fame and nearby restaurants.

As a result of the "violence demonstrated throughout the city", Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has issued a 9 p.m. curfew. 

Baltimore

Hundreds of protesters marched and drove through Baltimore to protest the death of George Floyd, as city leaders pleaded for peaceful demonstrations. 

Protests on Saturday remained peaceful, according to FOX 45 News.

Ahead of protests on Friday, the City Police Commissioner asked for calm:

Boston

According to WFXT, 10 people were arrested and four police officers suffered “non-life threatening injuries” amid the protests in Boston on Saturday.

Charlotte, N.C.

Following a day of tense protests across the nation including Charlotte over the death of a black man by a white police officer in Minnesota, Mayor Vi Lyles announced an emergency order on Saturday, according to FOX 46.

The Chairman of Mecklenburg County and the mayor of Charlotte signed a State of Emergency on Saturday to assist law enforcement in their efforts to respond to the protests, city officials said during a news conference.

Chicago

According to FOX 32 Chicago, hundreds of people came to the city’s downtown on Saturday to protest.

Several protesters could be seen throwing bottles, climbing onto cars and damaging property early Saturday near State and Harrison streets before officers took multiple people into custody.

In response to the escalating violence during Saturday's protests, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot imposed a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

Dallas

Officers were out in full force Saturday as there were two more protests scheduled, according to Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall.

Some of Dallas' largest shopping centers were forced to shutdown due to threats or looting made on social media, according to Dallas police.

Chief Hall and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson spoke at a press conference Saturday afternoon and condemned the people who looted and vandalized businesses in downtown after a protest was held over the death of George Floyd.

Dallas police said one officer was injured Friday night. However, his injuries were not life-threatening.

Denver

Governor Jared Polis tweeted on Saturday that he granted Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s request for support from the National Guard to help keep people safe amid protests in the Mile High City. The mayor also announced that Denver would be on a curfew through Monday.

Protesters had gathered at Colorado’s Capitol chanting, “I can’t breathe.”

Los Angeles

Protesters in Los Angeles gathered in the city's Fairfax District where they were met with a barrier of police. The crowds continued to slowly move into Beverly Hills.

An official request was put in to have the National Guard deployed to Los Angeles, according to FOX 11, emulating many cities across the United States.

FOX 11 reported that police fired rubber bullets and were attempting to control demonstrators. Several Los Angeles Police Department vehicles have also been vandalized.

Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a curfew for the city starting at 8 p.m. Saturday PT through 5 a.m. Sunday PT. 

Milwaukee

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced a 9 p.m. curfew for the City of Milwaukee on Saturday, May 30 -- a decision made after overnight unrest caused damage to buildings across the city, disrupting otherwise peaceful protests held throughout the city on Friday in response to the death of George Floyd.

The curfew will be in effect from 9 p.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Sunday, May 31, FOX 9 News reported. 

Minneapolis

Despite an 8 p.m. curfew implemented by the governor, large crowds have remained on the streets in Minneapolis. At about 8:40 p.m., police deployed flash bangs and tear gas to break up crowds in the area of the police department's Fifth Precinct, FOX 9 reported. 

A massive protest took place near the Minneapolis Police Department's Fifth Precinct starting Saturday afternoon. 

“The situation in Minneapolis is no longer in any way about the murder of George Floyd,” Gov. Walz said. “It is about attacking civil society, instilling fear and disrupting our great cities.”

A second rally took place where Floyd was detained. There, thousands gathered to enjoy food and community while honoring Floyd's memory and calling for justice.

New York

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio urged for calm as protests continued Saturday in the nation’s most populous city.

Video footage showed fireworks were being set off from a large crowd outside of Trump Tower in Manhattan. Near Times Square, a swath of protesters gathered with some chanting “hands up, don’t shoot.” Protests also continued into Brooklyn and Queens.

Philadelphia

During a Saturday night press conference, Commissioner Danielle Outlaw reported thirteen officers were injured during Saturday afternoon's protests. 14 people have been arrested and several have been injured at this point.

In Philadelphia, protestors broke into City Hall Saturday afternoon, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia. As protests continued from Friday evening, public outrage over George Floyd’s death had not subsided.

Police briefly scuffled with the protesters outside the Municipal Services Building, where some were seen throwing bottles and attempting to use a fence to push through the police line.

Officers with riot shields, helmets and batons managed to move the crowd backward. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney pleaded with demonstrators to return home in a tweet Saturday.

Pittsburgh

As Saturday protests remained volatile, city officials announced the will implement a curfew that will be in effect at 8 p.m. 

Mayor Bill Peduto condemed those who turned what started off as a peaceful protest into a "violent act of attention".

Salt Lake City

Gov. Garry Herbert condemned the violence and looting that took place during protests Friday night and into Saturday afternoon.

Tear gas was deployed on protesters Saturday after a Salt Lake City police car was vandalized, according to the Salt Lake City Tribune.

Organizers also say they are demonstrating for 22-year-old Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal, who was shot and killed by Salt Lake City Police one week ago, according to local affiliate FOX 13, who says that the department is expected to release body camera footage within 10 days of the incident.

Seattle

Mayor Jenny Durkan stated she would sign an emergenc order that will impose a curfew starting at 5 p.m. Saturday evening.

Leaders in Seattle urged people to be peaceful, but tensions had already risen between demonstrators and police by the time a 3:00 p.m. rally was scheduled to begin in downtown on Saturday, according to Q13.

Video showed objects being thrown and police using flash bangs and pepper spray.

Mayor Jenny Durkan’s concerns mirrored those of many mayors and governors across the country. 

Washington, D.C.

FOX 5 DC reported that police brutality demonstrations erupted in the nation’s capital Saturday evening. A large crowd had gathered outside of the city’s police headquarters.

Hundreds of people converged on the White House for a second straight day to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and President Donald Trump’s response, according to the Associated Press.

“I stand before you as a friend and ally to every American seeking justice and peace, and I stand before you in firm opposition to anyone exploiting this tragedy to loot, rob, attack and menace," the president said in Florida after watching the launch of a SpaceX rocket. "Healing, not hatred, justice, not chaos are the missions at hand.”