 Demonstrators against racism in Auckland, New Zealand, on June 1, 2020 (photo: VNA) |
A video taken by a bystander and viewed by millions around the world, shows a police officer kneeling on George Floyd’s neck for approximately 9 minutes during his arrest for alledgedly using counterfeit money on May 25th. Floyd died soon after and the four arresting officers were fired. But protests against the ugly incident have flared up and spread out of control.
Protests spread across the US
A curfew has been imposed in more than 40 cities across the US where mass protests have turned violent. 5,000 National Guard troops in 15 states and Washington DC have been activated to help quell the unrest. 2000 soldiers have been placed on high alert. This is the first time since 1968 that curfews have been widely imposed in the US.
Former President Barack Obama wrote an editorial Monday denouncing the violence, saying the protests must be translated into policies that will prevent more deaths like Floyd’s.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres urged Americans protesting racial inequities and excessive police force to do so peacefully and called on US leaders and authorities to listen to them and show restraint.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadians are shocked by the protests in the US. The media say they are seeing violence unprecedented in modern US history. Some say the worst is still ahead.
Protests rage in many countries
About 2,000 people demonstrated Monday outside the US Consulate in Auckland, New Zealand, shouting “No justice, no peace” and calling for more regard for the lives of black people. 500 people took to the street in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Hundreds of people gathered at Trafalgar Square in London, then marched to the Houses of Parliament, and stopped outside the US Embassy. Outside the US Embassy in Berlin, hundreds of people assembled to demand justice for George Floyd.
Thousands of Montrealers gathered on Sunday in front of the Montreal police station to denounce racism. A demonstration of some 4,000 people took place in Toronto against racism and discrimination against tribal people. Many demonstrators were arrested.
Anti-discrimination posts have gone viral in Europe, Latin America, and Asia showing wide support for the protests in the US. Analysts exect the protests to continue in the coming days.