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Updated May 31, 2020 - Politics & Policy

In photos: Protesters and police clash nationwide over George Floyd

Orion Rummler
A firework explodes behind a line of police officers next to the Colorado State Capitol

A firework explodes behind a line of police officers next to the Colorado State Capitol during a protest over the death of George Floyd in Denver on May 30. Photo : Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray as the protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd continued nationwide into early Sunday.

The big picture: Police responded over the weekend with force, in cities ranging from Salt Lake City to Atlanta to Des Moines, Houston to Detroit, Milwaukee to Washington, D.C., Denver and Louisville. Large crowds gathered in Minneapolis on Saturday for the fifth day in a row.

  • Multiple cities imposed curfews for Saturday night as police continue to try to break up crowds.
  • Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) was among the leaders to urge protesters to demonstrate peacefully amid reports of looting and the burning of buildings in some places. "Be constructive, not destructive," Lewis said.

What's happening: Demonstrators are demanding justice for the killing of Floyd, a black man who died Monday after at least one police officer pinned him to the ground with a knee to his neck.

Protesters face off with police outside the White House in Washington, DC, early on May 30
Protesters and police face off outside the White House on May 30. Photo: Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images
A journalist is seen bleeding after police started firing tear gas and rubber bullets near the 5th police precinct in Minneapolis
A journalist is injured after police started firing tear gas and rubber bullets near the 5th police precinct during a demonstration in Minneapolis on May 30. Photo: Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
Police vehicles burn after being set on fire by demonstrators in the Fairfax District as they protest the death of George Floydon May 30, 2020 in Los Angeles.
Police vehicles burn after being set on fire by demonstrators in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles on May 30. Photo: Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images
People run from tear gas after protests against the death of George Floyd, a black man who died May 25 in the custody of Minneapolis Police, turned destructive in Seattle
People run from tear gas during protests in Seattle, Washington on May 30. Photo: Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images
A woman is seen crying in New York City as protesters and law enforcement continue to clash following George Floyd's death on May 30, 2020.
A woman is seen crying in New York City as protesters and law enforcement continue to clash following George Floyd's death on May 30, 2020. Photo: David Dee Delgado/Getty Images
Demonstrators, gathered at Lafayette Park across from the White House, attempt to breach a police barricade during a protest over the death of George Floyd,
Demonstrators gathered at Lafayette Park in D.C. across from the White House attempt to breach a police barricade during a protest over the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020. Photo: Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Protesters rally outside the state house in Ohio carrying signs that say "End white supremacy" and "Say their name"
Protesters rally outside the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio for the fourth straight day. Photo: Megan Jelinger/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A view of a building, burnt down in Minneapolis following days of protests and riots.
The building burned down after protesters took to the streets for days following George Floyd's death. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Police advance on demonstrators from a cloud of blue smoke
Police advance on demonstrators in Minneapolis as the protests continue for the fifth day in a row. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Groups of protesters gather in Los Angeles as police cars burn in a fire
Groups of protesters gather in Los Angeles as police cars burn in a fire on May 30, 2020. Photo: Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Illustration of a protester holding a suitcase that says "Don't shoot"
A protester wearing a suit and holding a briefcase that says "Don't Shoot" in Brooklyn, N.Y. Photo: Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images
An injured women is tended to near the White House
An injured woman is tended to near the White House after protesting the death of George Floyd on May 30, 2020. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Demonstrators hold signs and chant with their fists raised in Miami, Fla.
Demonstrators hold signs and chant with their fists raised in Miami, Fla. on May 30, 2020. Photo: Adam DelGiudice/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters march down Main Street in front of the Wisconsin Capitol during a peaceful protest on May 30, 2020 in Madison
Protesters march down Main Street in front of the Wisconsin Capitol during a peaceful protest on May 30, 2020, in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo: Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Go deeper: Protests over George Floyd's death grip Minneapolis

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