George Floyd protests: US curfews extended as Trump vows military force to ‘end riots’

Tear gas, rubber bullets used to disperse protesters outside White House after Trump vows military force to end ‘acts of domestic terror’

Mayor of Washington extends curfew for two nights after autopsies say George Floyd’s death was caused by the way police officers subdued him

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Riot police chase a man as they rush protestors to clear the area across from the White House. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:49am, 1 Jun 2020Updated: 3:43pm, 2 Jun 2020

Washington and other major US cities extended curfews on Monday as US President Donald Trump vowed to end violent protests across the country that have escalated since the death last week of George Floyd, an unarmed black Minnesota man who died after being pinned down at the neck by police.

“We are ending the riots, we are ending the lawlessness,” Trump said in a Rose Garden address on Monday, shortly before a 7pm curfew in Washington went into effect.

“These are not acts of peaceful protest ... these are acts of domestic terror.”

The capital city’s Mayor Muriel Bowser extended curfews for the capital for Monday and Tuesday nights to 11 hours – from 7pm to 6am. New York City announced an 11pm curfew for Monday. Los Angeles county’s begins at 6pm. At least 40 US cities will be under curfew orders.

The release of an independent autopsy commissioned by Floyd’s family, which characterised the death as a homicide caused by "asphyxiation from sustained pressure” had already stirred up anger in Minnesota and elsewhere in the US. An official report by the local medical examiner’s office in Minnesota confirmed that the death was homicide.

A demonstrator taken into custody by police near the White House in Washington. Photo: AP

Speaking to NBC, Bowser said earlier on Monday that protesters had brought “tools and supplies” and used diversionary tactics to evade police.

“They went to different parts of the city, so we think there was a mix of people here but certainly people here who do this type of protest demonstration,” Bowser said.