Thousands take to streets across US to protest police violence

Thousands of people took to the streets in US cities on Friday to denounce the fatal police shootings of two black men this week, marching the day after a gunman killed five police officers watching over a similar demonstration in Dallas.

Protesters clogged roadways in New York City, Atlanta and Philadelphia on Friday evening, and events also were planned for San Francisco and Phoenix. Local media reports did not indicate any immediate instances of major clashes or injuries.

They railed against police brutality and the deaths of two men fatally shot by police, while also grieving for the five police officers slain while patrolling a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas late Thursday.

In Washington, District of Columbia, people gathered outside the White House and in Philadelphia they came together outside City Hall.

Thousands marched in Atlanta in what appeared to be the largest demonstration, chanting and waving signs demanding justice, video posted to social media showed. Footage from local broadcasters showed the massive crowd facing off with dozens of police vehicles that were stopped on a local interstate highway.