Anger over George Floyd's death spreads across the United States

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others". With these words, Nelson Mandela, a symbol of freedom, underlined the need to continue fighting racism. The death of African-American George Floyd has once again highlighted the need to continue with this struggle. On May 25, Minnesota police arrested Floyd on charges of allegedly buying cigarettes with a fake $20 bill. Several minutes after the first patrol car arrived on the scene, Floyd was exhaling his last breaths. Since then, millions of people have taken to the streets across the country to protest his death--protests that have even reached the White House. 

The Secret Service, which is responsible for the security of U.S. President Donald Trump, ordered the president to take refuge in an underground bunker at the White House after at least 140 U.S. cities held demonstrations after Floyd's death. On Sunday, police fired tear gas around the White House to dissuade protesters who had caused chaos by overturning cars or smashing the windows of some major buildings. The traditional White House postcard was transformed for a few hours after several columns of smoke rose around this famous building. Chaos gripped Washington to such an extent that the White House turned off its exterior lights for a few hours. Meanwhile, peaceful demonstrations in memory of George Floyd and other victims of police brutality became the ultimate representation of violence, in an attempt to challenge the curfew imposed by the authorities.   

The New York Times has recorded the main events of the sixth day of protests. In Birmingham, Alabama, protesters tore down a Confederate memorial, while in Boston, a police vehicle was set on fire near the State House. In Philadelphia, police authorities used pepper gas to try to deter protesters.

Protests have also taken over New York City, where thousands marched across the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges, causing the Manhattan Bridge to be closed to traffic for a short time. Chaos has come to Chicago where large supermarket chains like Walmart and Target were looted.  The city of Louisville (Kentucky) put the positive note on this day, after a tense confrontation ended with a woman hugging a policeman from the riot squad for a minute.

"Tonight the city police expanded the perimeter, blocking streets up to a mile from the White House, while riot police officers clashed with protesters in the northern section of Lafayette Square," said TNYT Washington reporter Peter Baker.  The TNYT envoy to Oakland, California noted that in downtown Oakland, hundreds of protesters marched peacefully, chanting anti-racist slogans and carrying signs.

Throughout this Sunday, two Atlanta police officers were fired for using force during a protest. The two officers were fired after a series of videos showed them using guns against two college students. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms explained during a press conference that three other officers involved in the arrests had been reassigned to office duties while the department reviewed their actions. "We understand that our officers work long hours under an enormous amount of stress, but we also argue that the use of excessive force is never acceptable," she said. 

Manhattan became the focus of these protests late Sunday. Protesters threw bottles and other objects at police officers armed with batons who pushed crowds on Broadway and in the streets near this landmark location. As the flames spread, the authorities ordered the protesters to disperse.

In Soho, dozens of people broke windows and stole merchandise from luxury stores. The violence intensified around 11 p.m., when hundreds of protesters began a confrontation with police near the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, according to the New York Times. 

In Minneapolis a truck hit a crowded demonstration. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has announced that no one was injured by this vehicle, although some people have said otherwise. Police believe the driver was "provoking" the peaceful demonstrators. State Governor Tim Walz said that "not to have a tragedy with a lot of deaths is an incredible thing". 

In this scenario, President Donald Trump has gone on Twitter to point out the Democrats and accuse them of not being tough enough on protesters who use violence as a banner. "Crossing state lines to incite violence is a federal crime! Liberal governors and mayors must be tougher or the government will step in and do what it has to do, and that includes using the unlimited power of our military," he said on Twitter.  Several hours later he used this social network to announce that his administration will designate the Anti-Fa movement as a terrorist organization. 

In this spiral of instability, more and more people fear that these protests could cause a new wave of coronavirus cases. More than 100,000 Americans have already died from this disease. Authorities in several states have asserted the right of protesters to express themselves, although they have asked people to wear masks and respect social distancing. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned that the protests could become one of the so-called "super spread events", while Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has expressed concern that in a few weeks there will be a further increase in cases, according to information gathered by the New York Times. 

President Donald Trump has relied on the National Guard to restore order to the country. Leaders of this agency in Minnesota, Georgia and Colorado made it clear that, while the troops had probably had a dissuasive effect, those in charge of containing the violence were the police officers. "Our purpose is to allow our local law enforcement professionals to do their jobs," said General Jon Jensen, the head of the Minnesota National Guard, in statements published in the NYT.

Anger over George Floyd's death has spread to London or Berlin. This Sunday, hundreds of protesters left for Trafalgar Square and headed for the U.S. Embassy in the country. Germany and Denmark have joined these protests against police racism, holding up signs with slogans like "no justice, no peace. 

As the demonstrations continue to spread across the American nation, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster. "As the protests have turned violent in several areas, it is crucial that we maintain order, defend public safety and protect ourselves against property damage or loss," he said before stressing that "every citizen of Texas and America has the right to protest. However, violence against others and destruction of property is unacceptable and counterproductive. This situation has led the mayor of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Carlos Gimenez, to postpone the reopening of the beaches. "The beaches will remain closed until the curfew is lifted," he said. 

The death of this African-American citizen continues to cause consternation across the planet. More and more celebrities have shown their outrage at the death of this man at the hands of a policeman. "We've all seen his murder in broad daylight," lamented artist Beyoncé on the social networking site Instagram. "If all lives matter, why are Black people being killed just because they are Black? Why are immigrants being persecuted? Why are white people being given opportunities that other races are not? Why is it okay for white people to be told to stay home and protest with semi-automatic weapons," criticized singer Billie Eilish. 

NBA legend Michael Jordan has also lamented Floyd's death. "I am deeply saddened, truly grieved and simply angry. I see and feel the pain, indignation and frustration that everyone feels. I stand with all those who are speaking out against the entrenched racism and violence against people of color in our country. Enough is enough," he stressed before adding that "we must listen to each other, show compassion, empathy and never turn our backs on this senseless brutality. We need to continue our peaceful expressions against injustice and demand accountability". 

The protests began a week ago and after a video was aired showing a man having difficulty breathing, while a white policeman pressed his knee against his neck. In this video Floyd was seen shouting "I can't breathe".  The officer accused of being responsible for this man's death was arrested last Friday. 

Chaos and violence have become a constant in the United States over the past week and in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis caused by the coronavirus. As a result, authorities in some of the states have decreed curfews in their cities and the National Guard has been deployed in some 15 states. The dean of social sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, has warned the BBC that these riots are "the most serious in the country since 1968," after Martin Luther King was murdered in Memphis, Tennessee.