George Floyd protests spread nationwide

By Melissa Macaya, Mike Hayes, Fernando Alfonso III, Daniella Diaz, Jessie Yeung, Steve George, Ivana Kottasová and Nick Thompson, CNN

Updated 8:56 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020
166 Posts
Sort byDropdown arrow
11:44 p.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Rapper Killer Mike tearfully tells Atlanta protesters: "I am tired of seeing black men die"

WGCL
WGCL

In an emotional speech, rapper Killer Mike addressed George Floyd protesters directly at Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms' news conference tonight.

"I am the son of an Atlanta police officer," said the rapper, whose real name is Michael Render.  "And I got a lot of love and respect for police officers, down to the original eight police officers in Atlanta." 

Crying on camera, he continued: "I watched a white police officer assassinate a black man. And I know that tore your heart out." 

"I woke up wanting to see the world burn down yesterday because I am tired of seeing black men die," he said. "We don't want to see Targets burning. We want to see the system that sets up for systemic racism burned to the ground."
He added, "I am duty-bound to be here to simply say that it is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with an enemy. It is your duty to fortify your own house in times of organization." 

He concluded by thanking Mayor Lance Bottoms, saying he appreciated her telling the protesters to go home. 

Watch:

11:17 p.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Louisville police: "Things are still escalating"

From CNN's Rebekah Riess

Police monitor protests on May 29 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Police monitor protests on May 29 in Louisville, Kentucky. Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Special Adviser Jessie Halladay with Louisville Metro Police Department said protests in the city are still escalating.

Halladay said while things started out peacefully this evening, the police department is anticipating property damage similar to what was seen during the protests in Louisville Thursday evening.

According to Halladay, there is a significantly larger number of people out protesting tonight, and the department believes a large portion of those out protesting are not from Louisville. 

The police department has made two arrests, and several small fires have been set, including an attempt to set a fire at the Hall of Justice. Halladay said there was more graffiti and flag-burning happening Friday.

She said protesters are armed with sticks, bottles, bats, shields and guns, and have come well stocked with water and supplies.

No significant injuries have been reported, Halladay said.

10:58 p.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Houston mayor urges protesters to go home as city blocks off downtown

From CNN's Dave Alsup in Atlanta

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner urged citizens to go home in a tweet Friday night after protests flared in downtown over George Floyd's death.  

"For the safety of everyone, I am asking you to go home," Turner tweeted.

Houston shut down access to the downtown area amid the protests, according to a statement from the city. A city alert urged citizens to avoid the downtown area. 

"All highway and street access into and out of downtown is currently closed," the alert read. "Those outside of downtown are being asked to avoid traveling near the area through the night."

11:04 p.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Protesters continue in Minneapolis despite curfew

CNN
CNN

Police are positioned but not enforcing a citywide curfew as protesters continue to demonstrate in Minneapolis, CNN's Sara Sidner reported.

About the curfew: Minneapolis and St. Paul are under a curfew instituted after days of protests marked by looting and arson.

Hear more:

10:51 p.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Dallas protesters clash with police

From CNN’s Ed Lavandera

Dallas police attempted to keep a protest peaceful in downtown on Friday night.

Police Chief Renee Hall joined officers in Dallas during the protest and spoke to one protester.

“We’re giving you the streets, but you can’t touch our officers,” Hall told a protester.

Tear gas was deployed after protesters confronted officers who arrived in force to try to keep the march moving.

10:53 p.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Protesters take over portion of Las Vegas strip

From CNN's Amanda Watts

KTNV
KTNV

Protesters have taken over portions of the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada on Friday night.

Aerials from CNN affiliate KTNV show a crowd of people peacefully walking down the middle of the street. There was no vehicle traffic.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says it is creating a media staging area. CNN has reached out for more detail.

10:47 p.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Bail for former officer Derek Chauvin set at $500,000, document shows

From CNN Legal Analyst Joey Jackson

Ramsey County Sheriff's Office
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office

Bail for ex-Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin has been set at $500,000, according to the criminal complaint filed in the 4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota.

According to the document, there have been no conditions set for his release.

The document doesn't indicate that Chauvin is out on bail, but it does say that if he does bond out, bail is set for $500,000.

The order of detention box is not checked because Chauvin was not ordered detained or remanded.

Obtained by CNN's Kara Devlin.
Obtained by CNN's Kara Devlin.

8:56 p.m. ET, May 30, 2020

Police officer fires pepper bullets directly at news crew in Louisville

From CNN's Rebekah Riess

A crew for CNN affiliate WAVE was reporting live from Louisville, Kentucky, this evening when they were directly fired upon with what the reporter described as pepper bullets.

“I guess we were behind their line, I guess a little too close for comfort,” WAVE reporter Kaitlin Rust can be heard saying afterward.

Protests have erupted in multiple cities across the US over the death of George Floyd.

Floyd's death this week sparked protests across the country after video emerged that shows the 46-year-old black man handcuffed and on the ground saying, "I can't breathe," as a police officer holds him down with a knee on his neck. 

10:33 p.m. ET, May 29, 2020

Protests are thinning out in Atlanta

CNN
CNN

CNN's Nick Valencia said protesters are starting to clear the streets near the CNN Center.

The protests turned violent earlier Friday after demonstrators lit a car on fire and broke windows at the CNN Center.