- Title: Overnight violence in New York City sparks investigation
- Date: 31st May 2020
- Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MAY 31, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIORS OF CHASE BANK WITH BROKEN GLASS
- Embargoed: 14th June 2020 18:36
- Keywords: Bill de Blasio George Floyd civil rights damage police brutality protests race relations
- Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- City: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Race Relations / Ethnic Issues,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA007CG9GQPZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: New York City mayor Bill de Blasio defended police on Sunday (May 31) after another night of clashes and outrage left dozens injured and stores looted after violence replaced peaceful daytime demonstrations over the death of a black man seen on video gasping for breath as a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.
In New York City, police arrested about 350 people overnight and 30 officers suffered minor injuries. Authorities gave no information on the number of protesters who were injured.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said police conduct was being investigated, including widely shared videos showing a police sports utility vehicle in Brooklyn lurching forward into a crowd of protesters who were pelting the car with debris.
The arrest on murder charges on Friday of Derek Chauvin, the police officer seen kneeling on Floyd's neck, has failed to satisfy protesters. Three officers who stood by as Floyd died have yet to be charged.
Floyd's name is only the latest to be chanted by protesters over the perceived lack of police accountability for violent encounters that resulted in the death of black men.
The sight of protesters flooding streets fueled a sense of crisis in the United States after weeks of lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen millions thrown out of work and has disproportionately affected minority communities.
The closely packed crowds and many demonstrators not wearing masks sparked fears of a resurgence of COVID-19, which has killed more than 28,000 people in New York City alone and 100,000 across the country.
(Production: Craig Hettich, Arlene Eiras) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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