Protesters in Minneapolis filled the streets and echoed the final words of George Floyd, who repeatedly pleaded for mercy before he was killed by police on Monday evening, as Blavity previously reported.
"I can't breathe, I can't breathe, I can't breathe," thousands of protesters chanted on Tuesday as they marched in unison at the site where the unarmed Black man was killed.
According to CBS Minnesota, the scene turned chaotic as protesters clashed with police at the 3rd Precinct, which is believed to be the workplace of the officers involved in the killing. Images of the protest showed demonstrators running for cover as police deployed chemicals.
Protesters fought back with whatever items they could find, throwing rocks and water bottles.
“It’s real ugly. The police have to understand that this is the climate they have created, this is the climate they created,” one protester told the news station.
(Video taken at 5:45pm but wouldn't upload due to service issues).
Sound of motorcycles revving sends crowd at George Floyd protest running, many confused or scared by what's happening. Motorcyclists actually there in support of protest/march.@WCCO
pic.twitter.com/yXJpKQqMS5— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) May 26, 2020
City Councilman Jeremiah Ellison described the chaotic scene on Twitter.
"This is a disgusting display. I’m here on the southside, helping people as I can with milk, water, and towels," he wrote. "So far, I have been unable to prevent the police from firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Moments ago, I held a towel to a teenage girls head as blood poured from it."
This is a disgusting display
I’m here on the southside, helping people as I can with milk, water, and towels
So far, I have been unable to prevent the police from firing indiscriminately into the crowd
Moments ago, I held a towel to a teenage girls head as blood poured from it https://t.co/tbsbjBq5iQ
— Jeremiah Ellison (@jeremiah4north) May 27, 2020
Floyd was confronted by police on Monday after a grocery store clerk accused him of trying to forge a check. Video from bystanders shows multiple officers handcuffing the 46-year-old and one cop pinning down the unarmed man for several minutes, pressing his knees into Floyd's neck until he could not breathe.
The four officers involved in the killing of George Floyd have been fired, CNN reported.
Here are some of the most striking photos from the Minneapolis protest:
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