Residents and business owners in cities across the US swept up broken glass, took stock of looted goods and surveyed the damage on Monday morning following a sixth straight night of violent protests over racial inequities and excessive police force.
Police and fire departments fought into the night on Sunday to quell the violet chaos as fires burned near the White House and shops were looted from New York City to Southern California.
After six straight days of unrest, a new routine was developing: residents waking up to neighborhoods in shambles, shopkeepers – many who have only just reopened from COVID-19 lockdowns – taking stock of ransacked stores and police and political leaders weighing how to address the boiling anger.
While many of the demonstrations around the country have been peaceful protests by racially diverse crowds, others have descended into violence, despite curfews in big cities across the US.
The National Guard said it had deployed in 23 states and Washington DC over the past week.
Dozens of cities across the United States remain under curfews at a level not seen since riots following the 1968 assassination of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.
The unrest, which erupted as the country was reopening after lengthy lockdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19, began with peaceful protests over the death of a black man, George Floyd, in police custody in Minneapolis last Monday.
Since then, the chaos has continued to unfold across the US as Americans braced for the possibility of more trouble. At least 4,100 people have been arrested across the country for such offenses as stealing, blocking highways and breaking curfew.
NEW YORK CITY: A volunteer from the SoHo neighborhood helps clean up the destruction from the Dolce & Gabbana store in Manhattan after it was looted late Sunday
WASHINGTON DC: Police and fire departments fought into the night on Sunday to quell the violet chaos as fires burned. Pictured above is a burned out vehicle being removed from the streets of Washington DC on Monday morning
CHICAGO: People clean up items outside a Jewel grocery store on Monday in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago after the business was broken into by looters
In Washington DC, more than 50 Secret Service agents were injured in clashes with protesters on Sunday night.
Police fired tear gas and stun grenades outside the White House as fires were set in the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church and Lafayette Park in front of the White House.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said on Monday that some of the protesters that terrorized the city overnight had come prepared with tools and supplies. She said they set fires to try and draw police away.
‘We recognize that people are frustrated and mad but tearing up our beautiful city is not the way to bring attention to what is a righteous cause,’ Bowser told NBC’s Today.
She said the city was ‘prepared for multiple days of demonstration’ and officials were working with intelligence to determine who was coming.
PHILADELPHIA: Firefighters battle a blaze in Philadelphia on Monday in the aftermath of protest and unrest overnight
CALIFORNIA: Volunteers clean up broken glass outside a shopping outlet in Long Beach, California on Monday
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Smoke and debris at a looted hardware store in Philadelphia last night after it was targeted by looters during the George Floyd riots
BOSTON: The looting damages are seen through the window of a shop on Newbury Street in Boston on Monday morning as business owners picked up the pieces after a protest turned violent
NEW YORK CITY: The looters pulled down plywood to get into the stores. They are not thought to have been part of the Floyd protests
BOSTON: A clean up crew descended on Boston’s Newbury Street on Monday to sweep up broken glass from shattered store fronts
WASHINGTON DC: Workers are seen through a shattered window at the AFL-CIO building in Washington on Monday
In New York City, Gov Andrew Cuomo announced a 11pm-5am curfew on Monday and said he will put another 4,000 cops on the streets after a chaotic night in which looters ransacked luxury stores in Soho, set fire to dumpsters and ran riot through the streets of Manhattan.
Protesters also hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at police in Philadelphia late Sunday.
Police officers and National Guard soldiers enforcing a curfew in Louisville, Kentucky, killed a man early Monday when they returned fire after someone in a large group shot at them first, according to police.
In Indianapolis, two people were reported dead in bursts of downtown violence over the weekend, adding to deaths recorded in Detroit and Minneapolis.
Protests have unfolded in at least 145 cities across the country over the past week as people gather in outrage over the horrifying death of George Floyd.
In Salt Lake City, an activist leader condemned the destruction of property but said broken buildings shouldn’t be mourned on the same level as black men like Floyd.
‘Maybe this country will get the memo that we are sick of police murdering unarmed black men,’ said Lex Scott, founder of Black Lives Matter Utah. ‘Maybe the next time a white police officer decides to pull the trigger, he will picture cities burning.’
Thousands marched peacefully in Phoenix; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and other cities, with some calling for an end to the fires, vandalism and theft, saying the destruction weakens calls for justice and reform.
In downtown Atlanta, authorities fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said two officers had been fired and three placed on desk duty after video showed police surrounding a car Saturday and using stun guns on the man and woman inside.
In Los Angeles, a police SUV accelerated into several protesters in a street, knocking two people to the ground. Nearby in Santa Monica, not far from a peaceful demonstration, groups broke into stores, walking out with boxes of shoes and folding chairs, among other items. A fire broke out at a restaurant across the street. Scores of people swarmed into stores in Long Beach. Some hauled armloads of clothing from a Forever 21 store away in garbage bags.
In Minneapolis, the officer who pinned Floyd to the pavement has been charged with murder, but protesters are demanding the three other officers at the scene be prosecuted. All four were fired.
‘We’re not done,’ said Darnella Wade, an organizer for Black Lives Matter in neighboring St. Paul, where thousands gathered peacefully in front of the state Capitol. ‘They sent us the military and we only asked them for arrests.’
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz brought in thousands of National Guard soldiers on Saturday to help quell violence that had damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings in Minneapolis over days of protests.
That appeared to help minimize unrest, but thousands marching on a closed freeway were shaken when a tractor-trailer rolled into their midst. No serious injuries were reported. The driver was arrested on suspicion of assault.
In tweets Sunday, President Donald Trump accused anarchists and the media of fueling violence.
Trump spent Sunday berating his enemies on Twitter and demanding ‘law and order’ in Democratic-run cities but did not appear in public and opted against making a televised address to calm tensions.
It has since emerged that Trump was rushed by Secret Service agents to a White House bunker on Friday night as hundreds of protesters gathered outside.
WASHINGTON DC: Chaos continued to unfold in cities across America late Sunday night including Washington DC, just steps from the White House, where police and Secret Service deployed tear gas as they faced off with protesters during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd
WASHINGTON DC: Police stand guard outside the White House late Sunday as chaotic demonstrations took place in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON DC: Protesters jump on a street sign near a burning barricade near the White House late on Sunday. Fires were set in the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church and Lafayette Park in front of the White House
NEW YORK CITY: Dozens of people were arrested in Soho on Sunday night, including the driver of the car. Cops knelt on his back to subdue him
NEW YORK CITY: Looters in New York pictured leaving a broken into store in Manhattan after ransacking its merchandise Sunday
NEW YORK CITY: A protester runs on top of a line of cars in New York on Sunday evening as protests continued around the country
CHICAGO: Looters pictured leaving a hardware store with lamps and merchandise in their hands after the store was raided in Sunday protests
CHICAGO: Stores were left completely destroyed in the store raised with racks swept clean, unwanted clothes thrown on the ground, and shelves empty of merchandise
BOSTON: Boston police pictured armed with batons and protective gear as a police cruiser burns behind them Sunday night
BOSTON: A man tries to light a cigarette from the flames engulfing a Boston Police cruiser during clashes in Massachusetts on Sunday night
LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officers patrol Sunday in Santa Monica, California after peaceful protests turned into mass lootings
Looters take Soho: Smashed windows at Chanel and Bloomingdales after another wild night of riots that saw more than 250 arrests and a shooting as NYPD commissioner says ‘it got ugly quick’
Soho in New York City was ravaged by looters on Sunday night who smashed the windows of luxury stores like Gucci, Chanel and Bloomingdales to steal goods in a wild night of riots that saw more than 250 arrests, cops being injured and one man being shot.
It remains unclear if those who smashed up the stores were part of protests against George Floyd’s death, or if they belonged to different groups and were merely taking advantage of the chaos unfolding across the country.
Across New York City on Sunday night, more than 250 people were arrested. Six cops were injured, none seriously, and a man in his twenties was shot in the abdomen after an argument with a different group of young men.
The man was shot at 12.30am at the corner of Crosby Street and Spring Street, a stone’s throw from the stores that were ransacked. He is in the hospital in a stable condition.
NYPD cops in riot gear patrolled the streets and helicopters hovered above the neighborhood – known for its trendy restaurants, luxury clothing stores and expensive apartments – throughout the night.
In New York City, the looters reportedly distributed goods to each other after smashing stores before police arrived.
Dozens were arrested on Sunday night and more were still being taken into custody on Monday morning.
Commissioner Dermot Shea said on Today that the entire weekend was ‘incredibly challenging’ for cops.
‘Ninety percent of yesterday went very well. Five or six thousand protesters throughout New York City, less violence as the days before. The majority of the protesters were peaceful making their point.
‘When it got dark it got ugly and it got ugly quick. We had some violence, we had another incident of an individual with a Molotov cocktail in Brooklyn.
Terrifying moment giant tanker speeds into a crowd of thousands of George Floyd protesters marching on a Minneapolis highway before vigilantes pull driver from the rig
A semi-truck barreled into a crowd of thousands of George Floyd protesters marching on a closed interstate near downtown Minneapolis on Sunday night.
Video showed the massive rig speeding down the I-35W bridge at about 6pm local time as protesters taking up all lanes of traffic fled out of its path.
Authorities said the truck did not appear to have struck anyone before it came to a stop in the middle of the road.
Protesters were seen climbing on the rig and pulling the driver, identified as 35-year-old Bogdan Vechirko, out of the cabin and beating him in the road.
Photos showed Vechirko with blood on his face and shirtless torso as protesters handed him over to police officers working to contain the situation.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (MDPS) said the driver was placed under arrest before being taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
He was then booked into Hennepin County jail on a probable assault charge. He was seen with bruises and cuts on his face in his mugshot.
Authorities said the driver’s motives were unclear but his actions appeared to be deliberate.
The smashed window at G-Shock on West Broadway on Monday morning
Happy Socks on West Broadway on Monday morning
NYPD officers on Monday morning outside Chanel in New York City. More than 250 people were arrested in NYC on Sunday night
Another jewelry store on West Broadway that had its windows smashed on Sunday night
Interstate 35 was closed on Sunday as hundreds of peaceful protesters gathered to march south across all 10 lanes of traffic.
It’s unclear how the semi-truck, which appeared to be an oil tanker, managed to gain access to the roadway.
The truck was traveling northbound when it came upon the demonstration and maintained a high speed as protesters screamed and scattered.
A witness said the truck was blaring its horn and showed no sign of stopping as it neared the crowd.
After the truck came to a stop, several protesters approached and pulled the male driver out of the front seat.
MDPS said the driver was injured but did not offer any specifics about the confrontation with protesters.
Minnesota Gov Tim Walz said of the incident: ‘Law enforcement responded immediately. Had to clear the bridge. Incident underscores the volatile situation we have, don’t know motives of the driver at this time. At this point in time to not have tragedy and many deaths is an amazing thing.’
Authorities identified Vechirko as the driver later in the night and released a pair of mugshots taken at the Hennepin County jail, where he is being held on a probable assault charge.
Vechirko lives in Otsego, Minnesota, and works as an independent contractor for Ken Advantage, a trucking company based in North Canton, Ohio, according to WCCO.
Ken Advantage issued a statement saying it will fully cooperate with the investigation into the interstate incident.
‘Our hearts go out to all those who are grieving the events of this past week,’ the company said.
A semi-truck barreled into a line of George Floyd protesters marching on Interstate 35 in Minneapolis on Sunday night
Hundreds of protesters scattered as the truck sped directly at them while they marched across all 10 lanes of traffic
Dozens of protesters approached the semi-truck after it came to a stop in the roadway
Protesters are seen handing a man believed to be the driver over to police before he was placed under arrest
Timeline: George Floyd’s death at the hands to Minneapolis police sparks nationwide protests
George Floyd (pictured) said ‘I can’t breathe’ when Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for eight minutes
Monday, May 25
Cell phone video shows George Floyd, handcuffed and pinned to the ground, with one police officer – Derek Chauvin – kneeling on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Floyd was unresponsive.
Floyd, 46, is heard pleading: ‘I can’t breathe’, as he is arrested by four cops for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. He later died.
Tuesday, May 26
Four Minneapolis officers involved in the incident, including Chauvin and Tou Thao, are fired. Minnesota Mayor Jacob Frey says it is ‘the right call’.
As calls mount for the cops to face murder charges, the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launch an investigation.
That night, the first of several protests over Floyd’s death take place in Minneapolis, with protesters shouting: ‘I can’t breathe!’
These words echo Floyd’s plea to officers but the phrase also became a rallying cry in 2014 after the death of Eric Garner, another black man who was killed in police custody during an arrest for the illegal sale of cigarettes.
Wednesday, May 27
Protests continue into a second night in Minneapolis and spread nationwide to Los Angeles and Memphis, Tennessee.
As anger mounts, the protests become violent with one person in Minneapolis shot dead, stores are looted and buildings are set on fire.
Police in riot gear fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the thousands of protesters demanding justice for Floyd.
Mayor Frey called for the officer’s to be charged and said ‘I want to see justice for George Floyd.’
It is revealed Chauvin been subject to at least 12 conduct reports since 2001.
Thursday, May 28
A third night of protests with demonstrations in Minneapolis, Memphis, Louisville, Phoenix, New York City and Columbus, Ohio.
Protesters burn down the Third Precinct building while 500 National Guards are dispatched to the riots in Minneapolis.
At least 70 New Yorkers are arrested after clashing with the NYPD.
Protesters in Ohio breached the city’s courthouse and shots were fired at the Colorado State Capitol.
Friday, May 29
Trump warned on Twitter that ‘when the looting starts, the shooting starts’
President Trump blasts ‘radial left Mayor’ Frey and warned ‘thugs’ that ‘when the looting starts, the shooting starts’ on Twitter.
The phrase comes from former Miami Police Chief Walter Headley in 1967 when referring to ‘slum hoodlums’ who he believed took advantage of the Civil Rights Movement.
Derek Chauvin, 44, was arrested Friday on charges of third-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, which has sparked violent protests
Twitter flags Trump’s tweet for violating its rules about glorifying violence. It comes mere days after the president was fact-checked, sparking a row with the social media giant.
Black CNN Reporter Omar Jimenez is arrested on live TV while reporting on the riots in Minneapolis
Officer Chauvin is charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter over Floyd’s death.
Mayor Frey declares a nighttime curfew in Minneapolis that begins Friday at 8pm and extends until 6am Saturday
President Trump is reportedly rushed to the White House’s underground bunker and Secret Service and George Floyd protestors clash
Saturday, May 30
At least 25 cities impose emergency curfews as protests and demonstrations continue into the weekend.
11 states and the District of Columbia activate the National Guard as tensions flare.
The National Guard is deployed to Los Angeles amid protests – the first time in nearly 20 years since the 1992 Los Angeles Riots
The National Guard is activated at the White House as Secret Service agents struggle control demonstrators in Washington D.C.
Sunday, May 31
At least five people are killed during protests in Indianapolis, Chicago, Oakland, Detroit and Oakland as around 140 cities hold a sixth night of protests.
Federal Protective Services Officer Patrick Underwood is shot dead outside a federal courthouse during late night demonstrations.
The historic St. John’s church, built in 1816, is set ablaze near the White House in Washington D.C. as more than 50 Secret Service agents are injured.
At least 40 cities impose emergency curfews in light of riots, violence and looting.
President Trump urges states ‘get tough’ by calling the National Guard to oversee protests and demands ‘Law and Order!’
Trump announces on Twitter that he will designate Antifa, a loose but radical far-left group, as a terrorist organization after blaming them for protest violence.
The daughter of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Chiara de Blasio, 25, is arrested during a George Floyd protest in Manhattan.
More than 250 people are arrested in New York City as six NYPD officers are injured and looters target luxury stores in SoHo
George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests have spread internationally, with demonstrations in London and Berlin.
Derek Chauvin is moved to one of the US’s most secure prisons ahead of his first court appearance on June 8.