Civil Society

In pictures: George Floyd demonstrations in the US and beyond

SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB    Ballerinas Kennedy George, 14, and Ava Holloway, 14, pose in front of a monument of Confederate general Robert E. Lee after Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ordered its removal after widespread civil unrest following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. June 5, 2020. REUTERS/Julia Rendleman     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC243H9RJZLD

Thousands of people have protested against racial inequality after the death of George Floyd in police custody. Image: REUTERS/Julia Rendleman

Charlotte Edmond
Senior Writer, Forum Agenda
  • Widespread protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody are taking place across America.
  • Thousands of people have gathered in solidarity to demonstrate against racial inequality.
  • Demonstrations are taking place around the world, with gatherings in many major cities in Europe.

The US is experiencing some of the biggest outbreaks of civil unrest it has seen in decades, with huge protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in police custody.

Floyd’s death has sparked underlying tensions about the fundamental racial inequalities in the country, with black Americans facing societal disadvantage and unable to access many of the opportunities available to white people.

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In cities around the world people have joined in solidarity, gathering in their thousands to demonstrate.

People take part in a
Boston, Massachusetts. Image: REUTERS/Brian Snyder

In Boston, Massachusetts, protesters take part in a ‘die-in’, displaying Black Lives Matter placards.

Around the world protesters knelt. This man in New York held up a mask representing Floyd.

People kneel as they attend a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in New York City, New York, U.S., June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2O2H99TF39
New York City. Image: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

In Boston, Massachusetts, these protesters raised their fists for 8 minutes 46 seconds – the length of time a Minneapolis police officer held his knee against Floyd’s neck.

Demonstrators raise their fists as they take a knee for 8 minutes 46 seconds, the length of time George Floyd was held down with a knee on his neck by a Minneapolis Police officer, during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of George Floyd's death, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., June 7, 2020. REUTERS/Brian Snyder - RC2M4H973HBS
Boston, Massachusetts. Image: REUTERS/Brian Snyder

An art installation near the arrest site of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota depicts headstones of people who died while in police custody.

People walk among an art installation of headstones bearing the names of people killed by police near the site of the arrest of George Floyd, who died while in police custody, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. June 6, 2020. REUTERS/Eric Miller     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2U3H9AT9UU
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Image: REUTERS/Eric Miller

In New York, a woman holds up a placard to demonstrate against the number of people killed by police brutality.

A demonstrator holds a placard during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S. June 6, 2020. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2U3H9GDML5
New York City. Image: REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

While most gatherings have been peaceful, tensions between police and protesters have been high. In New York, some protesters hit out, throwing red paint at this police vehicle.

An NYPD police vehicle is defaced with red paint as demonstrators protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in New York City, New York, U.S., June 5, 2020. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2B3H9FA987
New York City. Image: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Protests have spread beyond the US, with many gathering in cities around the world. This woman holds up a placard as part of demonstrations in Barcelona.

A demonstrator holds a placard during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Barcelona, Spain June 7, 2020. REUTERS/Nacho Doce     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2C4H9KKR1I
Barcelona, Spain. Image: REUTERS/Nacho Doce TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2C4H9KKR1I

In the UK, thousands of people gathered in cities including London, Manchester, Nottingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh. This umbrella featuring protest messages was displayed outside the US Embassy in London.

Messages are seen on an umbrella outside the U.S. Embassy during a Black Lives Matter protest in London, following the death of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis, London, Britain, June 7, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls - RC2F4H9KWM4L
London, UK. Image: REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
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