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Protests Worldwide Continue as UN Expresses Solidarity with Racism Victims

Protests Worldwide Continue as UN Expresses Solidarity with Racism Victims
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By Staff, Agencies

The United States has been facing violent protests and riots since last week following the death of an African American man, George Floyd, in police custody.

The UN staff have expressed solidarity with victims of racism amid the ongoing wave of protests caused by the death of African-American man George Floyd, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

A video of George Floyd's arrest showed a white police officer, George Chauvin, asphyxiating and killing him by shoving his knee into Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes after he had been restrained, despite Floyd saying that he could not breathe.

The clip sparked protests which soon turned into riots, as cities across the US descended into chaos characterized by looting, arson attacks and the destruction of property.

In the meantime, Black Lives Matter rallies against racism and police violence kicked off on Saturday in major Australian cities, Australia's media reported.

Thousands of people have gathered in the cities of Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne, The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported. A big demonstration is also to be held in the city of Hobart.

Organizers of the rallies called on the activists to wear face masks, use sanitizers and respect the social distancing rules because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Protests in Sydney have been banned by the Supreme Court of New South Wales due to the coronavirus restrictions.

In the US state of Colorado, a federal judge in the district of Denver has temporarily banned Denver Police Department officers and those from other jurisdictions, who assist them, from using chemical weapons and non-lethal projectiles against peaceful protesters, a district court ruling said.

“Plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order, ECF No. 10, is GRANTED in PART. The Court temporarily enjoins the City and County of Denver, and specifically the Denver Police Department and officers from other jurisdictions who are assisting Denver Police Officers, from employing chemical weapons or projectiles of any kind against persons engaging in peaceful protests or demonstrations,” the court said in a ruling released by the local Yellow Scene magazine late on Friday.

At the same time, the court clarified when police can use the non-lethal weapons against protesters, as the officers need to protect themselves. In particular, according to the ruling, chemical agents or irritants, including pepper spray and tear gas, may only be used after the relevant order is issued “in response to specific acts of violence or destruction of property that the command officer has personally witnessed.”

Meanwhile, the Denver Police Department said that it would seek modifications to the order “that would account for limitations on staffing and body-worn cameras so the directions can be operationalized,” according to the department's Twitter.

Demonstrations in support of the black community and protests opposing police violence against African American people have been underway in various US cities since late May in response to the killing of an African American man, George Floyd, in police custody. In some areas, the protests have turned violent.

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