Tear gas shells were fired, rubber bullets shot at protesters demonstrating on the sixth day of agitation, on Monday, against the brutal death of African-American man George Floyd in the custody of few ‘white’ policemen. United States President Donald Trump vowed to present a massive show of force by bringing in the military to end the violent protests that have been raging outside the White House.
Agitations erupted last week, after the brutal killing of the black citizen. Protesters demonstrated peacefully and formed human chains across cities in the US to express their solidarity with the victim. However, things went out of hand outside the White House in Washington DC after Trump’s highly-criticised tweet.
Describing the violence in Washington DC as a “total disgrace” earlier in the day, President Trump said he has dispatched “thousands and thousands” of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults, and the wanton destruction of property.
Military helicopter flying over Washington, DC, as protesters violate curfew
At past 11 p.m. in Washington, DC, protesters are still out in large numbers in the national capital.
At least one military helicopter is flying overhead and hovering in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
The helicopter can be seen making slow low-level passes, using its propellers to kick up strong wind and debris. The tactic, known as a show of force, is commonly used by the US military in combat zones overseas to drive targets away from a specific area.
Protesters are responding by raising their fists aloft in defiance.
The city curfew went into effect at 7 p.m. local time.
