Nine days after the death of George Floyd, protesters are still out on the streets of major cities across America, even with curfews now in place.
The 46-year-old was killed when a white police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes while he lay handcuffed and pinned to the ground gasping for breath on May 25.
As per latest reports, Floyd, the African-American had tested positive for the coronavirus in April, according to the medical examiner's report.
Meanwhile, a Minnesota court has upgraded the charges against former Minneapolis police offcer Derek Chauvin who pressed his knee into George Floyd's neck to second-degree murder and three other officers present during the incident have been charged with aiding and abetting murder.
Soon after, Floyd's family issued a statement, saying, "This is a bittersweet moment. We are deeply gratified that @AGEllison took decisive action, arresting & charging ALL the officers involved in George Floyd's death & upgrading the charge against Derek Chauvin to felony second-degree murder."
Former United States President Barack Obama too held a livestream event in which he urged young people to "stay hopeful" and take action. “Just remember, this country was founded on protest," he said.
Raising his voice against the US president, former secretary of defense James Mattis slammed Trump as "the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people," in a forceful rebuke of his former boss. "We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership," he said.
A protester is detained by New York Police Department officers during a protest against the death of George Floyd, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Demonstrations on Wednesday have stayed largely calm, with fewer arrests and violent confrontations than the previous week. There were clashes in New York between protesters and police, but authorities say the city was still quieter than before, with no reported instances of looting.Photograph: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
A demonstrator holds a sign during a Black Lives Matter protest, amid nationwide unrest following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Photograph: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
Law enforcement officers hold a man during a protest against the death of George Floyd in New York. Photograph: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
Demonstrators are detained by police officers during the protest . Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
People raise their fists during a protest against the death of George Floyd in Brooklyn. Photograph: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
Protesters cross Morrison Bridge while rallying against the death of George Floyd, in Portland. The Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union called on police and public officials to stop using “indiscriminate weapons against protesters,” such as tear gas and stun grenades. The group also called on police to adopt practices that do not heighten the risk of contracting the new coronavirus, which has had a disproportionate impact on people of colour. Photograph: Terray Sylvester/Reuters
A light projection reading "Stop killer cops" is seen on a building during a protest against the death iof George Floyd, near the White House in Washington. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
US Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks at the scene of the death, in Minneapolis police custody, of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
A demonstrator holds a placard depicting George Floyd during a protest in response to the death of George Floyd, in Los Angeles, California. Photograph: Patrick T. Fallon/Reuters
People visit a memorial at the site where George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died while in police custody on May 25, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nine minutes while detaining him. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images
A protester holds a 'Black Lives Matter' sign in front of National Guard troops posted outside the District Attorney's office during a peaceful demonstration over George Floyd’s death on in Los Angeles, California. California Governor Gavin Newsom deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles County following unrest which occurred amid some demonstrations. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images
Demonstrators sing "Lean On Me" near the White House during a peaceful protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd in Washington, DC. This follows other moments of unity amid the violence, including police taking a knee in an act of solidarity with protesters at Black Lives Matter marches, in memory of Floyd and at demonstrations for black woman Breonna Taylor, shot dead by police in her home in March. Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images
-- With inputs from ANI
