BBC: George Floyd Death - Violence Erupts on 6th Day of Protests

Violence has erupted in cities across the US on the sixth night of protests sparked by the death in police custody of African-American George Floyd, the BBC reports. 

The article reads that curfews have been imposed in nearly 40 cities, however, "people have largely ignored them, leading to tense stand-offs."

Riot police clashed with protesters in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, firing tear gas and pepper bullets to try to disperse the crowds.

Demonstrators set fire to properties near the White House. 

"It has emerged that in Friday night's unrest, President Donald Trump was briefly taken by the secret service into an underground bunker at the White House, for his safety," the BBC reports. 

The unrest across the country follows the death of a middle-aged man in police custody.

A memorial to George Floyd near the spot where he died while in police custody in Minneapolis. Photo: Getty Images 

The BBC tells the tragic story of the man's death: 

"On the evening of 25 May, police received a phone call from a neighborhood grocery store alleging that George Floyd had paid with a counterfeit $20 note. Officers were attempting to put him in a police vehicle when he dropped to the ground, telling them he was claustrophobic. Policemen say he physically resisted officers and was handcuffed. The video of the incident does not show how the confrontation started.

With Mr. Chauvin's knee on his neck, Mr. Floyd can be heard saying "please, I can't breathe" and "don't kill me".

"The results of a preliminary autopsy by the county medical examiner, the police officer had his knee on Mr. Floyd's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, almost three minutes of which was after Mr. Floyd became non-responsive.

A vigil to honor George Floyd was held in Houston, Texas on Sunday. Photo: Reuters 

"Nearly two minutes before Mr. Chauvin removed his knee, the other officers checked Mr. Floyd's right wrist for a pulse and were unable to find one. He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead around an hour later."

Source: BBC 

Analysis by Anthony Zurcher, the North American reporter for BBC News

Main image: EPA