Thousands Gather in Minneapolis to Protest Unarmed Man’s Death After Encounter With Police

Protesters gather at the scene where George Floyd was pinned down by a police officer kneeling on his neck before later dying in hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 26, 2020. Eric Miller/Reuters

MINNEAPOLIS—Hours after four Minneapolis police officers were fired on Tuesday, protesters filled the street over the death of an unarmed man seen in a video lying face down in the street, gasping for air and groaning, “I can’t breathe,” while a police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.

The death of the unarmed man—later identified as George Floyd—prompted thousands of protesters around the scene of Monday evening’s deadly incident in a boisterous but peaceful rally. Many in the crowd wore facial coverings to protect against the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.