From coast to coast, US protesters demand action over black deaths
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Massive demonstrations against racism and police brutality filled some of the nation鈥檚 most famous cityscapes on Saturday, with tens of thousands of people marching peacefully in scenes that were more often festive than tense.
Wearing masks and urging fundamental change, protesters gathered in dozens of places from coast to coast while mourners in North Carolina waited for hours to glimpse the golden coffin carrying the body of native son George Floyd, the black man whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police has galvanized the expanding movement.
Collectively, it was perhaps the largest one-day mobilization since Floyd died 12 days ago and came as many cities began lifting curfews that authorities imposed following initial spasms of arson, assaults and smash-and-grab raids on businesses. Authorities have softened restrictions as the number of arrests plummeted.
Demonstrations also reached four other continents, ending in clashes in two European cities. In the US, Seattle police used flash bang devices and pepper spray to disperse protesters hurling rocks, bottles and explosives, just a day after city leaders temporarily banned one kind of tear gas.
The largest US demonstration appeared to be in Washington DC, where protesters flooded streets closed to traffic.
On a hot, humid day, they gathered at the Capitol, on the National Mall and in neighborhoods. Some turned intersections into dance floors.
鈥淭he laws are protecting them,鈥 said Pamela Reynolds, a 37-year-old African American teacher. The changes she wants include a federal ban on police chokeholds and a requirement that officers wear body cameras.
At the White House, which was fortified with new fencing and extra security measures, chants and cheers could be heard in waves.
President Donald Trump, who has urged authorities to crack down on unrest, downplayed the demonstration, tweeting: 鈥淢uch smaller crowd in DC than anticipated.鈥
Elsewhere, the backdrops included some of the nation鈥檚 most famous landmarks. Many wore masks 鈥 a reminder of the danger that the protests could exacerbate the spread of the coronavirus.
In Raeford, North Carolina, a town near Floyd鈥檚 birthplace, people lined up outside a Free Will Baptist church, waiting to enter in small groups. At a private memorial service, mourners sang along with a choir. At the front of the chapel was a large photo of Floyd and a portrait of him adorned with an angel鈥檚 wings and halo.
鈥淚t could have been me. It could have been my brother, my father, any of my friends who are black,鈥 said Erik Carlos of nearby Fayetteville. 鈥淚t made me feel very vulnerable at first.鈥
Floyd鈥檚 body will go to Houston, where he lived before Minneapolis, for another memorial in the coming days.
Minneapolis officials have agreed to ban chokeholds and neck restraints and require that officers stop colleagues who are using improper force. Congressional Democrats are preparing a sweeping package of police reforms, which is expected to include changes to immunity provisions and creating a database of use-of-force incidents.
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