George Floyd protests – live: Trump calls Minneapolis protesters ‘thugs’ as police station burns amid anger over man’s killing

George Floyd Minneapolis protests: Live updates as Trump calls demonstrators ‘thugs’ | The Independent

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Friday 29 May 2020 08:25

Arson and looting breaks out on third night of demonstrations over death of black man filmed gasping for air as police knelt on neck

Local news reporter films war-like scenes at George Floyd protest in Minneapolis

Peaceful rallies have erupted in a third night of arson, looting and vandalism in Minneapolis as protesters voice fury over the killing of George Floyd, a black man who was filmed gasping for air as a police officer knelt on his neck.

The latest spasm of unrest in Minnesota’s largest city went largely unchecked, despite governor Tim Walz ordering the National Guard to help restore order following the first two days of disturbances sparked by the 46-year-old’s death on Monday night.

Donald Trump risked fanning the flames of the anger by branding protesters “thugs” and threatening to send in the army, tweeting: “When the looting starts, the shooting starts”.

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2020-05-29T07:25:17.406Z

Minneapolis police station torched amid protest over killing of George Floyd

A Minneapolis police station has been set on fire amid mounting protests over the killing by police of an unarmed black man.

On the third straight day of protests over the killing of George Floyd, who died after his neck was stepped on by a white police officer, crowds stormed the station of the city’s 3rd precinct.

Fire alarms could be heard as blazes were set.

Police appeared to have left the left the area before the protesters surged into the station located near the city’s Seward neighbourhood, reports Andrew Buncombe in this round-up of events overnight:

2020-05-29T07:09:37.970Z

We’re providing live updates on unrest in Minneapolis, where a third day of rallies over the police killing of George Lloyd have broken out into arson and looting.

Demonstrators have torched a police station that officers were forced to abandon as well as shops in Minnesota’s largest city as anger flares across the US over the death of Floyd, who was filmed handcuffed and pleading for air as a white police officer knelt on his neck.

Donald Trump has responded by calling the protesters “thugs” and threatening to send in the military to shot them.