Trump’s White House under lockdown as protests over killing of George Floyd reach Washington
Protests over the killing of an African-American George Floyd in Minneapolis reached Washington on Friday, with the White House put under lockdown.
According to reports, a massive group of demonstrators converged on the White House to protest the killing by a now dismissed policeman, Derek Chauvin.
Tension ran high between marchers and police, prompting the Secret Service to place the building on lockdown.
The protesters briefly shut down traffic on a major thoroughfare before reaching the White House.
A heavy police presence of policemen, barricades and a huge crowd of demonstrators could be seen in videos shared online.
Watch the video shared by Fin Gomez:
#GeorgeFloyd Protest just outside of the White House. pic.twitter.com/SeZiRfiXT5
— Fin Gómez (@finnygo) May 29, 2020
Earlier, President Trump had sent a message of condolence to the family of George Floyd, according to a White House tweet.
"I want to express our Nation's deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathies to the family of George Floyd." pic.twitter.com/eGRIJCiHUa
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) May 29, 2020