Cities impose curfews, National Guard mobilizes as U.S. faces another night of unrest after George Floyd killing
Demonstrations erupted in cities across the U.S. in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in the hands of Minneapolis police.
Derek Chauvin, the police officer filmed kneeling on Floyd's neck, was arrested Friday and charged with murder and manslaughter. The anger in response to Floyd's killing descended into rioting and looting in several cities.
Atlanta, Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Denver, Salt Lake City, Nashville and Minneapolis among others have imposed curfews as they brace for more unrest Saturday night into Sunday morning.
The governors of Minnesota, Georgia, Ohio, Washington and Kentucky have mobilized their state National Guards.
President Donald Trump and the Pentagon have said they stand ready to provide federal forces to Minnesota if requested to quell unrest.
CNBC's live coverage in this blog has ended. For the latest updates on the unrest across the U.S., click here.
Thousands protest in London in solidarity with U.S. demonstrators
8:40 a.m. — Thousands of people gathered in London's Trafalgar Square on Sunday waving placards and chanting in solidarity with protesters in the U.S. angry over the police killing of George Floyd and wider racial discrimination. Crowds were gathered despite social distancing rules in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
U.K. Foreign Minister Dominic Raab called the footage of Floyd's murder "very distressing" and called for deescalation, while the country's opposition leader Keir Starmer tweeted, "George Floyd must not become just another name. His shocking death should be the catalyst for change."
Indianapolis police department investigating multiple shootings in downtown area
5:32 a.m. — The Indianapolis police department is investigating shootings in the city's downtown, it said on Twitter in the early hours of Sunday morning.
"These are NOT officer-involved incidents," the department's tweet said. "IMPD officers have not fired shots tonight."
Injuries and arrests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Miami and other cities
12:45 a.m. — Police in Philadelphia told NBC News that they had arrested 14 people and expected further arrests. Thirteen police officers were injured in Philadelphia, authorities said, including a bicycle officer who was run over by a vehicle.
In Pittsburgh, the Department of Public Safety said that "several dozens" of people were arrested and four police officers were hospitalized. Additionally, police told NBC News, "three local journalists were injured when protesters attacked them, but none were seriously injured."
Miami police reported 38 arrests. Dallas police reported 74 individuals taken into custody.
In Atlanta, a police officer sustained significant injuries and was hospitalized after being struck by someone riding an ATV. That driver was taken into custody.
Los Angeles mayor asks for National Guard as city erupts in violence
11:52 p.m. — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti asked for the National Guard to be deployed as protesters clashed with police, vandalizing stores and other properties.
Garcetti requested National Guard assistance from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and up to a 1,000 troops are expected to arrive by midnight, according to NBCLA.
Garcetti also expanded the curfew order to the entire city of Los Angeles. The adjacent cities of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood are also under curfew. Both Newsom and Sen. Dianne Feinstein have condemned the violence.
"To those who seek to exploit Californians' pain to sow chaos and destruction, you are not welcome," Newsom said, according to the Associated Press. "Our state and nation must build from this moment united and more resolved than ever to address racism and its root causes."
Atlanta police arrest dozens amid renewed protests
11:26 p.m. ET — Atlanta police arrested 51 people after a large number of protesters defied a curfew and caused damage to property, police said.
People threw rocks and other items at officers and there were reports of armed protesters in these groups, police said. At least one patrol vehicle has been damaged and windows were broken at a police precinct, a Dunkin Donuts and other businesses in downtown Atlanta, police said.
NYPD arrests more than 100 people, police drive SUV into crowd
11:17 p.m. ET — The New York City Police Department has arrested more than 100 people after renewed violence at protests, a senior law enforcement official told NBC News.
Fifteen police vehicles were burned in Manhattan and Brooklyn, police said.The number of arrests are expected to grow as buses are filled with people taken into custody.
Police have seen a viral video of a NYPD SUV driving through a barricade and pushing protesters out of the way and onto the ground, according to NBC News. Multiple law enforcement officials told NBC News the vehicle was hit with rocks, bottles and someone threw a lit trash bag on the police vehicle.
The officers decided to push through the crowd instead of confronting the protesters outside the car, police officials said. The officers were concerned they would run someone over if they backed up, officials said. There were no injuries, according to multiple city officials.
Washington state activates National Guard for Seattle
9:42 p.m. ET — Gov. Jay Inslee has activated 200 members of the Washington state National Guard at the request of Seattle to help protect property and manage crowds and traffic downtown.
The National Guard soldiers will be unarmed and work under the city's leadership, Inslee said.
Seattle mayor to sign emergency order imposing curfew
8:06 p.m. ET — Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced that she will be signing an emergency order to impose a curfew in the city starting at 5 p.m. PT after protests turned violent in the city. The curfew will be in effect until 5 a.m. PT.
"I will soon be signing an emergency order and the @CityofSeattle will be imposing a 5 pm curfew soon. Crowds need to disburse from downtown immediately," Durkan said in her tweet. "While many individuals gathered peaceful, some individuals have started fires and are destroying buildings. There are multiple fires downtown and it is an extremely dangerous situation. @Seattelfire does not have access to buildings."
Images on social media showed cars on fire, broken windows and chaotic scenes in downtown Seattle as protesters faced off with police who used bikes and pepper spray to push them off.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti imposes curfew in city's downtown area
7:47 p.m. ET — Protests erupted in Los Angeles for the fourth straight day with people climbing on a Metro bus and setting police cars on fire to protest the killing of George Floyd, NBCLA reported.
"Whether you wear a badge or whether you hold a sign, I'm asking all of Los Angeles to take a deep breath and step back for a moment," Garcetti said. "To allow our firefighters to put out the flames. To allow our peace officers to re-establish some order. And, to let them protect your rights to be out there."
Protests in the city's Fairfax District turned particularly violent with crowds grabbing dumpsters and pushing them toward CBS Television City, as police officers tried to stop them from coming inside the property.
Garcetti announced a mandatory curfew in the city's downtown district from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. PT. In San Francisco, crowds marched to the city hall and shut down a freeway exit on Saturday after a night of violent protests erupted across the Bay Area leading to looting, a shooting and several injuries.
Atlanta mayor imposes overnight curfew
7:33 p.m. ET — Mayor Keisha Bottoms has issued an executive order imposing a 9 p.m. curfew in Atlanta, after violent clashes between crowds and police last night.
The Atlanta Police Department said 70 people were arrested, 20 department vehicles were damaged and 3 officers were injured overnight. The College Football Hall of Fame was ransacked and crowds also broke into CNN's headquarters.
Earlier in the day, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in Fulton County and mobilized 500 National Guard troops at the request of the mayor.
Ohio governor mobilizes National Guard after clashes in Columbus
5:54 p.m. ET — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is mobilizing the state's National Guard to "help protect the citizens of Ohio" after clashes in the capital Columbus.
DeWine said he has also directed the Ohio State Patrol to help enforce criminal laws in Columbus at the request of Mayor Andrew Ginther, who has imposed a citywide curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Saturday night.
Columbus police have closed the city's downtown streets indefinitely. People who work downtown must show an ID.
Trump addresses protests and riots across U.S.
5:35 p.m. ET — President Donald Trump has called the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police a "grave tragedy" that has "filled Americans all over the country with horror, anger and grief."
Trump said he has ordered Attorney General William Barr to expedite a civil rights investigation into Floyd's killing. State and federal authorities are also carrying out an investigation that could result in charges against the other three officers who were present when Floyd was killed, Trump said.
Trump blamed rioting and looting that took place in cities across the U.S. on antifa and "radical left-wing groups." Barr made a similar claim earlier in the day. Neither the president nor the attorney general have presented evidence demonstrating who was behind the violence.
However, a Justice Department spokesperson told NBC News that information is being provided to federal authorities by state and local law enforcement who are familiar with various groups and individuals.
Trump made his remarks at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida after the successful launch of two NASA astronauts into space by SpaceX.
Earlier in the day, Trump said the federal government could intervene with what he called "the unlimited power of the military." The president sparked controversy earlier in the week when he wrote, "When the looting starts, the shooting starts." Twitter posted a public interest notice on Trump's tweet, saying it violated the social network's rules regarding the glorification of violence.
Shooting death of federal officer in Oakland act of domestic terrorism, authorities say
4:32 p.m. ET — U.S. authorities said the shooting death of a federal contract security officer who was standing guard outside of a courthouse in Oakland was an act of domestic terrorism.
A vehicle pulled up in front of the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building at 9:45 p.m. PT Friday and someone opened fire on two contract security officers, killing one and critically wounding the other, according to the Associated Press, which cited U.S. authorities. The identities of the officers have not been released.
The officers were monitoring protests over the killing of George Floyd.
Correction: This entry has been updated to reflect the time the shooting took place.
Minnesota leaders call for people to comply with curfew and stay home
4:23 p.m. ET — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Tina Smith and Attorney General Keith Ellison Minnesota urged Minnesota residents to stay home and comply with the curfew order after protests over George Floyd's killing escalated over the past few days.
"The people who were on the streets last night, burning it down, they are not us. They do not share our values," Walz said. "They destroyed our public libraries, and our public infrastructure, that chaos created stopped us from delivering school meals to hundreds of thousands of hungry children across this state at a time of COVID-19."
Walz has implemented a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Minnesota on Saturday in response to the demonstrations that turned violent. Klobuchar backed the governor's point that many of the protesters who were arrested are from out of state: "People of goodwill ... have to understand that some of these people that are coming over and doing this, are not doing it for the good reasons that bring you to the streets to protest, they're doing it for bad reasons," she said
Columbus police declare emergency in city downtown
3 p.m. ET — Police in Columbus, Ohio declared an emergency in the city's downtown, after chaos and violence broke out between officers and protesters.
"Please stay out of the downtown area for your safety and the safety of others," Columbus Police wrote on Twitter. The protests began Thursday night and continued into Saturday.
Saturday's protest started out largely peaceful, according to NBC4. Some carried signs with names of black people who have been killed by police, while others chanted, "No justice, no peace" and "I can't breathe."
Around noon, police used pepper spray and tear gas on a crowd that included Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, Franklin County commissioner Kevin Boyce and Columbus City Council president Shannon Hardin, according to NBC 4.
"We need change," Hardin said in a video posted on Twitter, "but the only way we will get change is by peaceful demonstrations."
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther asked that residents avoid the area. "Safety of everyone — protesters and police — is paramount," he wrote in a tweet. "We're calling for everyone to remain calm."
Minnesota governor spoke with Pentagon twice in 24 hours
2:37 p.m. ET — Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley have spoken with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz twice over the past 24 hours and expressed the Pentagon's willingness to support state and local authorities as requested, according to a Defense Department statement.
Walz has not requested assistance at this time, but the Defense Department has increased the readiness level of several units in the event such a request is made.
The units in question are normally ready to deploy within 48 hours to support state civil authorities for contingencies like natural disasters, according to the Defense Department. These units are now on 4-hour status.
Attorney General Barr blames riots on outside extremists
2:18 p.m. ET —Attorney General William Barr said that peaceful protests over the killing of George Floyd are being "hijacked" by "anarchic and left extremist groups" that are using antifa-like tactics to promote violence.
Barr did not present evidence of antifa involvement in the demonstrations in Minneapolis. Mayor Jacob Frey said earlier in the day that the people responsible for the violence were not from the city. Frey did not say that leftist groups were responsible for the riots.
"It is a federal crime to cross state lines or to use interstate facilities to incite or participate in violent rioting, and we will enforce those laws," Barr said in a short televised statement on the unrest in Minneapolis and across the U.S.
De Blasio launches independent review of Brooklyn protests
1:16 p.m. ET — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he's initiating an independent review of what occurred at last night's protest in Brooklyn and condemned the "poison of structural racism" in the country.
"We can't go on like this. I am talking to everyone but I am particularly talking to white New Yorkers to say we can't go on like this," de Blasio said.
De Blasio said fired police officer Derek Chauvin, who has been charged with murdering George Floyd, seemed to have "no emotion at all about the fact that he was killing a black man like if there was no value in that man."
The mayor also addressed the violence that broke out at the Brooklyn protest attended by more than 3,000 demonstrators. One person was arrested and charged with attempted murder after throwing a Molotov Cocktail in a police car full of officers.
"Any protester who tries to take the humanity away from a police officer and devalue them just because they are a public servant, is no better than the racists who devalue people of color, particularly black men," he said.
Kentucky mobilizes National Guard to keep peace in Louisville
1:02 p.m. ET — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he is taking the "tough step" of calling up the National Guard to help keep peace in Louisville, where demonstrations have taken place over the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
"The demonstrations in Louisville have all started peacefully, but what we have seen, especially last night, and what our intelligence says is going to happen tonight are outside groups moving in, trying to create violence to harm everybody who is on those streets," Beshear said in a statement.
Taylor, a black woman, was shot and killed by Louisville police in March when they entered her home during a "no-knock" search warrant.
During protests Friday, a Louisville police officer fired pepper balls at a reporter with NBC affiliate WAVE 3. A CNN reporter was briefly detained in Minneapolis earlier this week, and crowds vandalized CNN's headquarters in Atlanta.
St. Paul mayor says community wants other three officers held accountable
12:39 p.m. ET — St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter acknowledged the "legitimate" pain and frustration over George Floyd's death at the hands of police, saying many people in the community want the other three officers held accountable.
"We have in our community right now an enormous number of people of all ages, of all races, of all backgrounds, who are looking to see not one, but four — all four — of the officers involved in [George Floyd's] death be fully accountable," said Carter, the city's first African American mayor.
Carter said "we as a society must do everything we can imagine to keep this from happening again," but that violent demonstrations are not the answer.
"There are many, many ways for us to work together in a constructive manner that empowers our community to speak up with a loud voice," he said.
Carter also thanked people who honored the governor's stay-at-home orders amid the coronavirus pandemic, as those "efforts resulted in saving lives in our community." He urged others to show the same sense of "togetherness and unity."
"We will not accept George Floyd's death, but we will not accept the destruction of our communities, either," he said. "Those two values, those two goals are not in competition," he said. "Actually, they are one in the same."
Cuomo shares protesters' outrage, urges against violence
12:12 p.m. ET — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo addressed the Brooklyn protests that erupted on Friday night over the death of George Floyd, saying that he "shares the outrage at this fundamental injustice" while urging against violent demonstrations.
"We have an injustice in the criminal justice system that is abhorrent," Cuomo said at a press conference on Saturday. "The names change. But the color doesn't," Cuomo said. "And that is the painful reality of this situation. And it's not just 30 years. It is this nation's history of discrimination and racism, dating back hundreds of years."
Cuomo said that the violence that broke out during the protests last night "obscures the righteousness of the message" and allows people to use it as a scapegoat. "It allows people to talk about the violence rather than honestly talk about the situation that led to the violence," he said.
Chicago prepares for multiple demonstrations this weekend
11:58 a.m. ET — Chicago is bracing for multiple marches this weekend and police are working with protesters to keep the demonstrations peaceful, according to a statement from the Chicago mayor's office.
The city said the Chicago Police Department is working with rally organizers to plan safe routes for the march. Chicago also plans to restrict parking and advised drivers to consider alternate routes or public transportation in order to avoid the downtown area where the marches will take place.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot spoke about the death of George Floyd on Friday and said that "being black in America should not be a death sentence."
"It's impossible for me as a black woman who has been the target of blatant racism over the course of my life not to take the killing of George Floyd personally," she said. "Watching that poor man beg for his life and for the ability to breathe and then watching the life leave him there on the streets, I feel angry, I feel sickened and a range of other emotions all at once."
Lightfoot is the first black woman and first openly gay person to serve as Chicago's mayor.
NYPD arrests more than 200 people after Brooklyn protest, one person charged with attempted murder
11:45 a.m. ET — The NYPD said they arrested more than 200 people on Friday night during a protest in Brooklyn attended by over 3,000 demonstrators.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said "countless" officers were hurt, including one who lost a tooth during a fight and another who was hit with a brick. One person was arrested and charged with attempted murder of officers after throwing a Molotov Cocktail into an occupied police car, according to Shea.
Officers recovered a firearm and brass knuckles from protesters. Videos on social media show an NYPD police officer violently pushing a young woman to the ground in Brooklyn. The NYPD said it is investigating what happened.
Minneapolis mayor says people engaging in violence are not from city, warns pandemic still a crisis
11:06 a.m. ET— Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said protesters who are escalating violence in Minneapolis are not city residents but are coming in from out of town.
Frey said the protests over the death of George Floyd and the coronavirus pandemic are "two crises sandwiched on top of one another" and urged people to stay home and stop damaging businesses that are especially critical during the pandemic.
"This is no longer about protesting, this is no longer about verbal expression, this is about violence, and we need to make sure that it stops," he said at a press conference.
Minnesota governor condemns 'organized attempt to destabilize civil society'
10:56 a.m. ET — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he has fully mobilized the National Guard for the first time in the state's history in response to continued social unrest over the death of George Floyd.
Walz said he "spoke extensively" with Secretary of Defense Mark Esper as well as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and received their situation report about social unrest across the U.S.
Walz acknowledged the "legitimate rage and anger that came after what the world witnessed in the murder of George Floyd," but condemned riots that he described as an "organized attempt to destabilize civil society."
"Last night is a mockery of pretending this is about George Floyd's death or inequities or historical traumas to our communities of color," Walz said, "because our communities of color and our indigenous communities were out front fighting hand in hand to save businesses that took generations to build."
Walz said National Guard soldiers had taken fire and some people had made improvised explosive devices.
"The situation in Minneapolis is no longer in any way about the murder of George Floyd," he said. "It is about attacking civil society, instilling fear and disrupting our great cities."
Walz said a peaceful protests will take place later Saturday, and authorities will use all resources at their disposal to make sure those demonstrations can take place safely.
"Today will be an expression of that grief of the loss of George Floyd," Walz said. "There will be legitimate exercising of First Amendment rights. Every single person in this room will put all of these resources we are talking about to protect their right to do that to protect their right to gather as community."
He also spoke about how the state is continuing to grapple with the coronavirus as resources are diverted to responding to the current unrest. "We are still in the middle of a pandemic and passed 1,000 deaths yesterday," he said.
Minnesota National Guard deploying more troops to Twin Cities
8:30 am ET — The Minnesota National Guard has increased its strength by 1,000 soldiers to support civilian authorities in the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, bringing the total 1,700, according to a statement from the guard.
Soldiers have been escorting Minneapolis Fire Department teams and providing security at traffic control points in support of state patrol officers. The guard said it is "prepared to protect life, protect property and restore order."
In an overnight press conference, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he understands the rage over the killing of George Floyd, but condemned rioting as "life threatening" and called for people to go home.
Atlanta area under state of emergency as governor calls national guard
8 a.m. ET — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency for Fulton County after businesses were looted and vandalized in downtown Atlanta, including the College Football Hall of Fame.
Kemp said he declared the state of emergency and activated as many as 500 Georgia National Guard troops at the request of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Bottoms. The troops will deploy to assist local law enforcement to "subdue unlawful activity and restore peace."
The College Football Hall of Fame released a statement in support of George Floyd's family and peaceful protests, but said "we are heartbroken to see the damage to our city and Hall of Fame," according to a statement posted by NBC affiliate WXIA.
CNN's global headquarters, which is based in Atlanta, was targeted by crowds who defaced the news network's logo and broke into the building.
Portland mayor declares state of emergency
7:00 am ET — Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has declared a state of emergency after a demonstration turned violent late Friday night and into Saturday morning.
Wheeler imposed a curfew wich remains in effect until 6 a.m. PT Saturday and resume at 8 p.m. PT.
Demonstrators broke into and set fire inside the Multnomah County Justice Center in the city's downtown, according to local NBC affiliate KGW8. Police used tear gas and flash bangs to disperse people.
Wheeler condemned the rioting and called for peaceful protests.
Hundreds of people arrested in Houston
4:15 am ET — Nearly 200 people in Houston have been arrested for participating in what the police called "unlawful assemblies."
Most of those arrested will be charged with obstructing a roadway, police said. Four police offices suffered minor injuries and 8 department vehicles were damaged.
Pentagon reportedly puts military police on alert for Minneapolis deployment
1:50 am ET — The Defense Department has reportedly ordered several active duty military police units to prepare for deployment to Minneapolis, which has been gripped by protests and rioting in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of police.
Three people with direct knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press that soldiers in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Fort Drum, New York have orders to deploy within four hours if called. Soldiers in Fort Carson, Colorado and Fort Riley, Kansas have been ordered to be ready for deployment within 24 hours, according to the AP's sources.
President Donald Trump, in a phone call from the Oval Office Thursday, asked Defense Secretary Mark Esper to develop military options for quelling the unrest in Minneapolis if the protests continued to spiral out of control, a senior Pentagon official who was on the call told the AP. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien was also on the Thursday call.