US streets calmest in days, protests largely peaceful

Washington, June 3

Protests were largely peaceful and the nation’s streets were calmer than they have been in days since the killing of George Floyd set off demonstrations that at times brought violence and destruction along with pleas to stop police brutality and injustice against African Americans.

There were scattered reports of looting in New York City overnight, and as of Wednesday morning there had been over 9,000 arrests nationwide since the unrest began following Floyd’s death May 25 in Minneapolis. But there was a marked quiet compared with the unrest of the past few nights, which included fires and shootings in some cities.

The calmer night came as many cities intensified their curfews, with authorities in New York and Washington ordering people off streets while it was still daylight.

A block away from the White House, thousands of demonstrators massed following a crackdown a day earlier when officers on foot and horseback aggressively drove peaceful protesters away from Lafayette Park, clearing the way for President Donald Trump to do a photo op at nearby St. John’s Church.

Tuesday’s protesters faced law enforcement personnel who stood behind a black chain-link fence that was put up overnight to block access to the park.

“Last night pushed me way over the edge,” said Jessica DeMaio, 40, of Washington, who attended a Floyd protest Tuesday for the first time.

“Being here is better than being at home feeling helpless.” Pastors at the church prayed with demonstrators and handed out water bottles.

The crowd remained in place after the city’s 7 pm curfew passed, defying warnings that the response from law enforcement could be even more forceful. But the crowd was peaceful, even polite. — AP

Have to push for equal justice: Bush

Houston: Former US president George W Bush has called upon Americans to examine the nation’s “tragic failures” and collectively push for equal justice, amid violent protests across the country over the custodial killing of an African-American man. Bush said he and his wife, Laura, were “disturbed by the injustice”. PTI