PHOTOS: Black Lives Matter Floyd Rally in Providence Draws Thousands

PHOTOS: Black Lives Matter Floyd Rally in Providence Draws Thousands

Thousands turned out in Providence at Burnside Park and then marched to the Rhode Island State House seeking justice.

Black Lives Matter hosted the "George Floyd Rally" on Saturday. 

Across the country, there have been dozens of protests and many of them turned to violence. 

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Urging Action 

Black Lives Matter in Rhode Island has been urging people to contact Minnesota officials to demand the arrest of the officers involved in apprehending Floyd.

Officer Derek Chauvin was charged on Friday, but the three other police officers involved in the incident who were fired have yet to be charged.

SEE PHOTOS BELOW

Providence Passionate, But No Violence

Thousands attended the Providence rally and the crowd was racially mixed -- it appeared that nearly 50% of those attending were white.

At many of the protests across the country, looting, arson, and shootings took place at the events. A 19-year-old man is dead after shots were fired into crowds in Detroit protesting police brutality, police told the Detroit Free Press.

The man killed was shot at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday near Congress and Randolph streets, according to a release from the Detroit Police Department. 

Police believe an unknown suspect in a gray Dodge Durango pulled up and fired into the crowd, then fled. The 19-year-old died at a hospital. 

The Detroit protest was just one of the dozens across the country.

Police Officer Killed

In Oakland, California, police are investigating the shooting of two federal officers -- one who has since died.

“Two Federal Protective Services officers stationed at the Oakland Down Town Federal Building suffered gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, one succumbed to his injury,” the police department said. 

The Federal Protective Service is an agency of the Department of Homeland Security, and provides security and law enforcement services at US government facilities.

Protests Across U.S.

Violence broke out in Atlanta, Dallas, Minneapolis, Portland and in New York City to name a few locations. 

On Saturday morning, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler tweeted, “I have officially declared a State of Emergency. Curfew immediately in effect until 6:00 am today. Resumes Saturday evening at 8:00 pm and lifts 6:00 am Sunday morning.”

In Minneapolis Governor Tim Walz tweeted overnight, “The Minnesota National Guard, State Patrol, and local police are on the ground responding to incidents in Mpls-St. Paul. I urge residents to comply with 8pm curfew and go home immediately. Law enforcement needs to respond to emergencies, restore order, and keep Minnesotans safe.”

Later Walz tweeted, “Minnesotans, please go home. It’s time to restore peace on our streets and in our neighborhoods. The situation has become dangerous for Minnesotans and first responders.”

While law enforcement was trying to clear the protestors, Minnesota's Metro Transit was refusing to assist law enforcement.

"Our buses not being used to transport people being arrested. While we do respond to mutual aid requests to transport law enforcement or equipment, we are not transporting people under arrest. Those buses are being used to transport officers. -HF," Metro tweeted.

In Atlanta, the CNN broadcast center was attacked with windows broken and the CNN sign graffitied. 

This story was first published 5/30/20 3:58 PM