'Mayhem' descended on St Louis on Monday night as four police officers were shot and several officers were run over in other parts of the US.
A disturbing series of videos has revealed shocking violence against police officers as unrest spread to more than 70 American cities over George Floyd's death.
"Some coward fired shots at officers and now we have four in the hospital, but thank God they’re alive," St Louis Police Chief John Hayden told reporters during a press conference about 1.45am Tuesday (local time).
He said two officers were shot in the leg, one was shot in the foot, and one more was shot in the arm.
"I don't think anybody understands why this mayhem is going on across the country," he said.
"I don't know what else to say," Hayden said. "This is horrible."
Meanwhile, an officer in Las Vegas was also shot, and in other parts of the country, footage emerged of several police officers being run over .
In one incident that reportedly happened in the Bronx, in New York city, shocking video shows a car ramming a police officer in an apparent hit and run.
In a separate incident, footage shows an officer being run over as looters make their getaway in Greenwich Village.
In Buffalo, also in the state of New York, two officers were injured when a SUV drove through a group of police officers.
Hundreds of looters have caused "anarchy" in the city of New York and police have struggled to maintain law and order.
Disturbing images also emerged from across the nation including hundreds of men wielding baseball bats and other weapons in the streets of Philadelphia.
The images come as US President Donald Trump walked around Washington's Lafayette Square and posed in front of a boarded up church near the White House after making a brief statement.
The President made the appearance after protesters were cleared from the area with tear gas and horses, moments before he spoke, vowing to restore "law and order".
He has vowed to use the US military to halt protests over the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American who died in Minneapolis police custody after being pinned beneath a white officer’s knee for nearly nine minutes.
Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old Minneapolis police officer who kneeled on Floyd, was arrested on third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter charges.
Three other officers involved in the arrest have not been charged.
Floyd’s death was the latest case of police brutality against black men caught on videotape and has prompted an outcry over racism in US law enforcement.
Many Americans have attended anti-police brutality marches and rallies, which have turned violent after dark each night over the last week.
Updates
Bigger protest planned for Sydney on Saturday
An organiser of tonight's rally in Sydney says he hopes the protest – and another far larger one planned for Saturday – will lead to long-term change.
“We plan to build this into a solid movement, where it’s not just a matter of every time someone passes away we go out and march,” Ray O’Shannassy said.
"There’s other injustices occurring every day. We want to build a long-term movement off of this, looking at deaths in custody, land rights and other issues.”
Protestors kneel and make a fist in Martin Place. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images
Around 3,000 people, mainly Australians but also some from the US and elsewhere, marched in Sydney tonight under police escort.
They chanted “Black lives matter,” “I can’t breathe” and “George Floyd". But they also called for better treatment of Australia's indigenous population, particularly by police.
“I’m here for my people, and for our fallen brothers and sisters around the world,” said Amanda Hill, a 46-year-old indigenous woman who attended the rally with her daughter and two nieces.
“What’s happening in America shines a light on the situation here,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s about the treatment of black men and women from here or from another country – enough is enough.”
– With wires
WSJ reporter 'hit in face multiple times'
An alleged assault on a Wall Street Journal reporter, who says he was hit in the face "multiple times" by police while covering the George Floyd protests in New York, is being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
Tyler Blint- Welsh says he was hit in the face with riot shields and pushed to the ground by the NYPD on Sunday.
"Lost my glasses and my ankle is in searing pain," he tweeted.
"I was backing away as request, with my hands up. My NYPD-issued press badge was clearly visible.
"I’m just sitting here crying. This sucks."
Lost my glasses and my ankle is in searing pain after NYPD hit me in the face multiple times with riot shields and pushed me to the ground. I was backing away as request, with my hands up. My NYPD-issued press badge was clearly visible. I’m just sitting here crying. This sucks.
— Tyler Blint- Welsh (@tylergabriel_) June 1, 2020
The incident is now being investigated, according to CNN.
"Our office has prosecuted dozens of uniformed officers for official misconduct and violence since 2010, and this longstanding tradition of independence and accountability will continue in the days and weeks ahead," District Attorney Cyrus Vance told the network in a statement.
"We are actively monitoring social media and other sources to identify investigative leads into claims of excessive force and we strongly encourage New Yorkers to share them with us."
NY looting may be 'coordinated'
Looting in New York may be being co-ordinated by local gangs.
A high-ranking police source told The New York Post that the looting and destruction appeared to be perpetrated by gangs from across the five boroughs. “It’s coordinated,” the source said. “They are not out-of-towners. We know who they are.”
Another witness said they thought the looting was "systemic".
“It’s systemic, one person breaks the glass with something,” a witness said.
“Someone else comes up on a bike and robs the store, it’s systemic, you can see.”
A looter looks for merchandise in a store ransacked on Monday night in New York. Picture: John Moore/Getty Images/AFP
Masterchef judge Jock Zonfrillo, celebrities including Kourtney Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, and many businesses have joined in #BlackOutTuesday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA7EvwJnvT7
US Ambassador responds to brutal treatment of Australian reporters
The US's Ambassador to Australia has released a statement after footage of the brutal treatment two Australian journalists received at the hands of US police was shown on live TV.
In the statement, Arthur B Culvahouse Jr said freedom of the press was a right Australians and Americans held dear.
"We take mistreatment of journalists seriously, as do all who take democracy seriously," the statement said.
"We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting journalists and guaranteeing equal justice under law for all."
It's understood that Channel 7 has been told it has the Australian Government's support should it wish to pursue a formal complaint with the local police authorities through Australia's embassy in Washington.
The PM has also asked the Australian embassy in DC to investigate the incident and provide further advice on registering Australia's strong concerns with the responsible local authorities in Washington.
— US Embassy Canberra (@USAembassyinOZ) June 2, 2020
EU envoy 'appalled' by Floyd's death
The European Union is “shocked and appalled” by the death of George Floyd, the bloc’s top diplomat says, calling it “an abuse of power” and warning against further excessive use of force.
“Like the people of the United States, we are shocked and appalled by the death of George Floyd … all societies must remain vigilant against the excessive use of force,” Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, told reporters.
Borrell called Floyd’s death a “very, very unhappy” one and said it showed “an abuse of power” by law enforcement.
“We condemn racism of any kind … we trust in the ability of the Americans to come together, to heal as a nation”.
– Reuters
Sydneysiders march against police brutality
Hundreds of people took to the streets of Sydney tonight as protests against police brutality reached Australia.
As protesters made their way into Chinatown, military helicopters were positioned just above rooftops, sending gusts of dust into the air. A part of a tree fell, nearly hitting passerbys. The crowds dispersed down side streets. Some storefronts were shattered. #DCProtest.
Four police officers shot in St Louis after night of 'mayhem'
Police say four officers were hit by gunfire after protests in St Louis became violent on Monday night.
Demonstrators smashed windows, stole items from businesses and set fires in the downtown area.
Rocks and fireworks were thrown at officers, who responded with "munitions".
Fireworks go off in front of police in front of police headquarters in St Louis. Picture: Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP
The police department tweeted early Tuesday that the officers were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. It was unclear who had fired the shots.
“Some coward fired shots at officers and now we have four in the hospital, but thank God they’re alive,” St Louis Police Chief John Hayden told reporters during a press conference about 1.45am (local time).
He said two officers were shot in the leg, one was shot in the foot, and one more was shot in the arm.
"I don't think anybody understands why this mayhem is going on across the country," he said.
"I don't know what else to say," Hayden said. "This is horrible."
During the night a 7-Eleven and another building was also set on fire.
Footage has emerged showing some of the devastation.
Car on fire at Tucker and Convention Plaza. @KMOV line of police nearby at business that was scene of looting. pic.twitter.com/S9rJHR3O8G
Shock footage of police officer being hit by a car
Shocking footage has emerged of a police officer being run over during an apparent hit and run in the Bronx.
The video shows the car driving directly at the officer, who is flung up in the air and against another passing car as the vehicle speeds away.
Fox News reports that the victim was a NYPD sergeant who is in a serious but stable condition.
The New York Daily News has also obtained footage of looters running over a police officer in Greenwhich Village as they made their getaway.
The violence has gotten out of hand in New York City. A police officer was run over in the Bronx by a speeding driver. It's a warzone. This needs to end. pic.twitter.com/V6kar7gG0I
