Protests Continue Despite Curfews Across The Country

Updated at 2 a.m. ET Wednesday

Protesters — raw, sad and angry over the killing of George Floyd and the disproportionately high number of black people who face injustice, violence and death — filled the streets again on Tuesday.

Mostly peaceful throughout the day, the demonstrators faced police officers, National Guard troops and other forces.

President Trump called New York protesters "lowlifes and losers," in a tweetposted Tuesday. Demonstrators throughout the country showed up, even in smaller towns such as Brattleboro, Vt., and Kingman, Ariz.

Here are our updates on what is happening around the country:

New York City

Protesters gathered at places including the Barclays Center, Times Square and at the NYPD headquarters Tuesday, and daytime demonstrations were relatively peaceful.

Tuesday was the first day for the citywide 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, which will stay in effect until at least Sunday, the mayor announced.

Trump calledon the city to bring in the National Guard in a tweet.

Mayor Bill de Blasio responded, "Thank God we have not had a loss of life in these last 5 days, but you bring outside armed forces into an equation they are not trained for...that is a dangerous scenario."

Police cars and a helicopter converged on one group of marchers blocking an intersection on the Upper East Side around 9 p.m. Protesters chanted "peaceful protest" and held their arms up as officers dispersed the crowd.

Marchers told NPR they joined the rally in part because of Floyd's death, but also because they're convinced officers around the country are targeting black men.

Many businesses were boarded up to prevent a repeat of Monday night's looting. One business owner who stood outside his shop told NPR he was grateful for the heavy police presence.

In Times Square, medical workers, who New York residents have cheered on throughout the coronavirus pandemic, came out to support demonstrations.

According to a New York Times report, in Manhattan, where a majority of late-night ransacking has taken place in previous days, one group of protesters on their knees surrounded some police officers and chanted, " Take a knee," but the officers didn't do it.

Sizable crowds persisted in places such as the Barclays Center once the curfew passed, where a large group of demonstrators from that area left after curfew and crossed over the Manhattan Bridge.

Once those demonstrators who crossed the bridge attempted to exit and enter Manhattan, a standoff between hundreds of protesters and throngs of police officers took place. Officers blocked demonstrators from leaving, and protesters chanted "Let us through!"

Los Angeles

Angry residents called for Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore to resign following days of unrest over Floyd's death and multiple complaints of brutality by law enforcement.

About 500 participants called to join a police commission meeting, causing connection delays. But after nearly an hour, with technical issues resolved, hundreds more residents were added.

Many expressed outrage with Moore and said the department has met demonstrations with an excessive use of force with rubber bullets, tear gas, flash bangs and batons against peaceful and rioting demonstrators alike.

Since Monday, Moore has drawn ire following remarks that protesters are "capitalizing" on the latest bouts of chaos, although he apologized on the Tuesday morning call, saying he "misspoke."

"We will investigate each complaint, and I promise to hold accountable anyone who violates our policy or commits other misconduct," Moore said, according to the LA Times.

Moore noted there have been 13 officer-involved shootings since the start of the year.

He added that more than 2,700 people have been arrested amid the protests — most for "failure to disperse" for curfew. Additionally, he said 27 LAPD personnel have been injured, including one hospitalized for a fractured skull and another for a broken knee. It is unclear how many protesters have been injured.

Later in the day, more protesters gathered across the sprawling city, including in Hollywood, where armed National Guard members were stationed.

About an hour before the countywide curfew went into effect, a massive column of demonstrators marched to Mayor Eric Garcetti's home in Hancock Park, a wealthy neighborhood lined with palm trees and mansions.

"I hear you that this isn't just about the criminal justice system. This is also about society and where we put our resources," Garcetti said in a news conference.

"I choose to listen and move forward, and bring this city together to build peace on our streets and in our neighborhoods," Garcetti said.

"George Floyd died in our America so that we may make sense of our future to make sure that we never see that again."

Hours past the curfew, demonstrators continued to flout orders to evacuate the streets.

Washington, D.C.

Large crowds showed up again a day after federal forces used tear gas and rubber bullets on peaceful demonstrators at Lafayette Square, across from the White House.

Protesters on Tuesday in Washington, where there was also a primary election, were peaceful. The Washington Post and DCist reported that thousands demonstrated, surpassing Monday's crowd size. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., also joined demonstrators on Tuesday.

National Guard troops, the U.S. Park Police and Department of Homeland Security officers stood inside a 7-foot metal fence that was put up overnight and surrounded the perimeter of Lafayette Square, as protesters clung to the outside.

At sunset, hundreds lay on the ground face-down at the Capitol, emulating the position in which Minneapolis police held George Floyd before his death.

As midnight neared, reporters said large crowds were still protesting peacefully, hours past the city's 7 p.m. curfew.

This is a developing story. Some things reported by the media will later turn out to be wrong. We will focus on reports from officials and other authorities, credible news outlets and reporters who are at the scene. We will update as the situation develops.

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