George Floyd killing: Violent protests rock Minneapolis, other US cities

Protests over the death of the unarmed black man in custody amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has escalated into mayhem as reports emerged of buildings and vehicles being set ablaze and local businesses being looted.

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The front of a police precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota was set ablaze by an angry mob on Thursday night as protests raged following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody earlier this week. More than 500 National Guard soldiers have been deployed to help restore order after the state witnessed two consecutive days of violent protests, BBC reported.

Rallies broke out across the US following the death of 46-year-old Floyd, who, in a video filmed by a bystander, was seen struggling to breathe as a Minneapolis police officer pinned him to the ground with his knee for several minutes until he stopped moving. While the four police officials involved in Floyd’s death were fired soon after the incident, hundreds of protesters took to the streets demanding their arrest.