As unrest spreads through 75 US cities in the wake of George Floyd’s death, observers have described it as the worst since the 1960s. Police across states in seeking to quell the advance of marchers have fired tear gas into the teeming crowds and declared curfews, but the situation shows no sign of de-escalating.
From Minneapolis, Minnesota where African-American Floyd was kneed to death by officer Derek M. Chauvin, protest marches have taken a global slant. Even the White House was not spared as the protesters congregated on the capital, prompting Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agents to confront them while the Commander in Chief Donald Trump was evacuated to an underground bunker for his safety.
Meanwhile, perhaps for the first time, nationals of other countries have held protest marches converging on the American embassies in their countries.
In the Iranian city of Mashhad, a candlelight vigil was held for Floyd and other African-Americans who have died through police brutality.
In the UK, thousands marched past parliament on Sunday and concentrated in central London, with hundreds taking a knee in Trafalgar Square. Marching along the Thames, they chanted “Black lives matter” carrying signs with slogans such as “Your silence is deafening,” “Racism is a global issue” and “How many more?” At the U.S. Embassy, the protesters demanded justice for Floyd. Demonstrations have also taken place in Manchester and Cardiff.
Stunning aerial views from today’s protest downtown #torontoprotest #JusticeForRegis pic.twitter.com/XvzVggAptm
— Tina Yazdani (@TinaYazdani) May 30, 2020
In New Zealand, there were demonstrations in Oakland at the American Embassy, as well as, Christchurch with signages reading I Can’t Breathe and Black Lives Matter.
In Berlin, protestors gathered on Sunday outside the U.S. Embassy, demonstrating for a second day. Hundreds of German demonstrators marched in solidarity with American protesters Saturday and Sunday, chanting “Stop killing us,” “Black lives matter” and “No justice, no peace.”
A candle vigil for George Floyd in the city of Mashad, #Iran.
— Shirin Jaafari (@Shirinj) May 30, 2020
Credit: AkharinKhabar pic.twitter.com/H4Y3NpIsvp
In Canada, people in Toronto gathered in protest against the death of 29-year-old black woman Regis Korchinski-Paquet and the global police brutalities meted to blacks. Korchinski-Paquet fell from her balcony while police officers were responding to a domestic incident in her home.
Dozens of marches have also been planned for the week in Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne.
Meanwhile, a US court has postponed Chauvin’s first appearance in court. He is being held in one of the nation’s most secure facilities.
✊? Bundesliga players doing the right thing #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/CAUdbIuIkw
— Wo sind sie jetzt? (@exprofis) May 31, 2020
