Powerful photos of US protests, riots after George Floyd’s death

The US protests have served up hundreds of extreme images in recent days - but this picture shows exactly what they’re really about.

From extreme violence to moments of calm, here are some of the most powerful images from protests across the United States following the death of black man George Floyd.

RELATED: Follow our live coverage of the US riots

Pinned under the knee of white officer Derek Chauvin, the 46-year-old died in Minneapolis on May 25.

Police have been taking a knee in an act of solidarity with protesters against the country’s racial fractures including at Black Lives Matter marches, in memory of Floyd and at demonstrations for black woman Breonna Taylor, shot dead by police in her home in March.

Black Lives Matter protesters lay on the ground with their hands behind their back in Times Square. A curfew from 11pm to 5am has been imposed in New York City. Picture: Timothy A Clary/AFP

Pennsylvania National Guard holding shields face peaceful protesters. Picture: Matt Slocum/AP

People show their support for a Black Lives Matter march as it passes in Tampa, Florida. Picture: Martha Ascencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via AP

Protesters surround a police officer in Louisville, Kentucky on May 28 during a protest for Breonna Taylor, a black woman fatally shot by police in her home in March. Picture: Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal via AP

Protesters in St Louis, Missouri left notes behind. Picture: Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images/AFP

There have been moments of unity such as protester Kevin Welbeck of Cre8 The Change shaking hands with a Highway Patrol officer on June 1 in Los Angeles, California. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

A police officer embraces a protester who helped disperse a crowd of people in Atlanta. Picture: John Bazemore/AP

Protests have also been held in Kansas City, Missouri. Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP

Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen embraces a woman during a march against the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. Picture: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images/AFP

Chief of NYPD Terence Monahan took a knee with protesters and then embraced them. Picture: Craig Ruttle/AP

He said they cannot be fighting in the city they love and share. Picture: Craig Ruttle/AP

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the take a knee movement in 2016, since seen at protests across the US including here in San Jose, California. Picture: Dai Sugano/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images

Philadelphia police and National Guard take a knee at the suggestion of Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Melvin Singleton outside the police headquarters. Picture: Matt Slocum/AP

The death of George Floyd on May 25 ignited a wave of outrage over US law enforcement's repeated use of lethal force against unarmed African-Americans. Picture: Roberto Schmidt/AFP

Protesters are emotional at the response from police outside Spokane County Courthouse in Washington. Picture: Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review via AP

Hampton Lieutenant Alex Ren and Seabrook Deputy Chief Kevin Gelineau take a knee as they join protesters against police brutality on Hampton Beach. Picture: Charles Krupa/AP

Police have taken a knee at protests from coast to coast. Picture: Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

George Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd (centre), at a vigil in Minneapolis. Picture: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP

Terrence Floyd was emotional as he addressed the protesters, telling them his brother would not want them to be destroying things in his name. Picture: Kerem Yucel/AFP