MINNEAPOLIS — Tear gas and tension filled the air Saturday night as police escalated their use of force against people protesting the killing of George Floyd.
On the fifth day of protests in Minneapolis, many remained defiant and passionate, ignoring a curfew that went into effect at 8 p.m. Saturday. Law enforcement officers responded with an escalating show of force in an attempt to disperse otherwise peaceful crowds.
A wall of Minnesota State Patrol officers warned the large crowd of protesters after the 8 p.m. state-mandated curfew to disperse or face arrests and began shooting tear gas and advancing into the crowd, using pepper spray and filling the streets with smoke.
“Even though it’s past curfew, we’re still out here because they’re paying attention to us,” said Hoonday Ahmed, 18. “That’s why we’re out there. We’re trying to send a message.”
People were seen running, throwing up and crying as police fanned out, using tear gas and pepper spray to corral demonstrators, which also hit some news reporters in a chaotic scene. Shots rang out in the distance.
Across the country, demonstrators took to the streets, some demanding justice for Floyd and others fueling chaos, burning businesses and facing off against law enforcement officers. Saturday night's protest capped a weekend of more than 100 protests, rallies and vigils.
Vehicles were torched in both New York and Los Angeles, and at the White House, protesters pushed security barricades and could be seen standing on top of Secret Service vehicles. Twelve states and the District of Columbia activated the National Guard to help quell the unrest.
Violence also erupted in Texas, Tennessee, Florida and Colorado.
Mayors issued curfews and pleaded with residents to stay home, but thousands of protesters took to the streets and faced off against police in riot gear. Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Denver and Cleveland were among the cities with curfews.
In a rare move, the Los Angeles Police Department mobilized its entire force Saturday. All officers, special units and detectives were deployed into the field to show as much police presence as possible.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said the California National Guard would deploy overnight to Southern California, where businesses along Melrose Avenue and other popular shopping destinations were looted.
A citywide curfew was imposed Saturday starting at 8 p.m. but tensions continued into the night.
'Wanting to be heard'
Earlier in the day, demonstrations in Minneapolis were largely peaceful, with people chanting “Say his name” and “George Floyd” while others carried signs, some bearing the words, “Am I next?”
Maya Ulrich, a 20-year-old demonstrator, said she was protesting “systemic issues of racism” and looking for “immediate action” against the four police officers involved in Floyd’s death.
Saturday was the fourth day Ulrich and her friends demonstrated, she said.
Floyd, who was black, was killed Monday after being arrested for allegedly attempting to use a counterfeit $20 bill. Video footage showed ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly 9 minutes as Floyd cried for his mother and said he couldn’t breathe.
Three other officers watched as Floyd gasped his final breaths. Chauvin was arrested and charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers were fired.
“I’m just tired of our people getting targeted,” said Ciara McClaine, 29, in Minneapolis on Saturday. “I get scared when any male members of my family go out. I get scared when I see the police. I get nervous, I panic, because I don’t know if I’m going to go home to my kid or my loved ones.”
