ACCRA, Ghana – Saturday, May 30, 2020,/ https://africanpostonline.com/—There have been a series of violent protest in America over the killing of George Floyd, an African-American man in Minnesota. Many African-Americans and some White sympathisers angrily took to the street and besieged the White House to call for an end of the killing of Blacks in America as they seek justice for George Floyd.
Protesters marched to the White House after President Trump twitted that, “THUGS are dishonouring the memory of George Floyd,” and threatened to have soldiers open fire unless local authorities in Minneapolis regain control, adding, “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” The White House has since been locked down.
Many people and some media believed that Trump’s comment on black demonstrators as thugs was racist. His comment was compared to that of White demonstrators. The difference between police response to black demonstrators and White demonstrators have also been drawn using the 2020 United States anti-Lockdown protest as a point of reference.
The peaceful protest which started in Minneapolis where Geroge Floyd was murdered has turned chaotic and bloody with the burning of buildings, cars, shootings and arrests. Minneapolis police station in Minnesota was set on fire amid George Floyd protest.
The demonstrations have now spread to New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Columbus, San Jose, Seattle, Louisville, Florida, Las Vegas, Boston, Virginia, Washington DC and many others. Over 50 protested have been arrested and some police officers injured in New York.
The murder of George Floyd
Four police officers took part in the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer handcuffed Floyd on the ground, lying face down Chauvin knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, with 2 minutes and 53 seconds. Floyd pleaded for his life that, “I can’t breathe”. He was later unresponsive and died in police custody.
Video
Derek Chauvin was fired the next day from the police force. Angry demonstrators took to the street to call for his arrest, which resulted in the looting of shops, police arrest and shooting of some demonstrators. The angry demonstrators then matched to Derek Chauvin’s house, which led to his arrest.
On May 29, Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. The family of Floyd and protesters were outraged at the charges brought against Chauvin and requested for him to be charged with first-degree murder.
Demonstrators are also calling for the arrest of the three other arresting officers who were with Chauvin. Thomas K. Lane, Tou Thao, and J. Alexander Kueng who were seen in the video to have partaken in the killing of Floyd to be arrested and charged for murder.
There was a recent fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, an African America on February 23, 2020, by Gregory McMichael, an ex-police officer and his son Travis McMichael who pursued Arbery after spotting him jogging. They were only arrested after two months.
LA Johnson/NPR
Covid-19 in the USA
A critical measure in preventing the spread of covid-19 is social distancing and wearing of face masks.
Interestingly, this could not be practice as angry protested gathered with some not wearing a face mask. This could increase the spread of covid-19 in America.
Already, America has Confirmed 1.78 million covid-19 cases, 385,000 recoveries and 104,000 deaths.
Renate Dzodzomenyo- African Post Online
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Renate is a lawyer, publicist, and writer. She believes that education and information is the key to developing and shaping Africa. In her free time, she paints beautiful art pieces on canvas. Renate believes that life is a perception, and you live it the way you perceive it.
