Thousands Around the World Protest the Death of George Floyd
The death of a black man, George Floyd, in police custody, sparked a wave of protests in the US and around the world this week.
Floyd died in Minneapolis on 25 May after a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck for more than eight minutes. His death is another name added to a list of black men and women who have died because of police brutality.
The day after Floyd’s death, protestors took to the streets in Minneapolis, with demonstrations soon spreading across the country and the world. The weekend also saw protests in Auckland, Barcelona, Brisbane, Calgary, Copenhagen, Dublin, Lagos, Paris, Montreal, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, Toronto, Athens, Tel Aviv, and more.
In Berlin, protestors gathered in front of the US Embassy under the slogan “Justice for George Floyd.” Thousands also demonstrated in Trafalgar Square in London, despite the ban on mass gatherings due to COVID-19.
Protestors call for the end of police brutality and anti-black racism, as well as justice for Floyd. Although mostly peaceful, some protests have turned into riots. As of June 2, thirteen people had died in incidents related to the protests.
The US has been accused of using excessive force in an attempt to control the protests. A New York Times article claims that “batons, tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets” were used against protesters, bystanders and journalists, with no warning or provocation.
On Monday evening, Donald Trump threatened to send in the military against protesters before posing for a photo outside a church whilst holding a bible. This scene played out as horse-mounted guardsmen used teargas and rubber bullets to keep away peaceful protestors.
“The fascist speech Donald Trump just delivered verged on a declaration of war against American citizens,” Democratic Senator for Oregon Ron Wyden tweeted shortly afterwards. The Guardian newspaper ran a story likening Trump’s actions to those of an authoritarian dictator.
World leaders have criticized the US response to the protests and Donald Trump’s reactions. The Canadian PM paused for more than 20 seconds when asked about Trump’s threat to use the military to end protests.
The protests could not come at a worse time for the US, as the country struggles to control the coronavirus pandemic. The US is approaching two million cases and has suffered more than 100,000 deaths. The biopsy report on George Lloyd showed that he too tested positive for the virus.
Many states have imposed curfews in an attempt to deter demonstrations, to no avail, while twenty states have seen an increase in coronavirus cases in the past days.
By Amy Jones