CPD squad cars damaged, protesters struck with batons in Chicago

Police car and American flag lit on fire in protests in Chicago

The mayor of Chicago imposed a 9pm to 6am curfew after protests over the death of George Floyd became violent.

CHICAGO - Several police cars were damaged, including at least one set on fire, as protests continued Saturday over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes.

Chicago police officers hit, then protected by crowd

This video from Saturday's protests in Chicago shows a Chicago police officer being hit, and then other protesters gathering around in a protective gesture.

Officers struck multiple demonstrators with batons amid the protest near the Trump Tower on the city’s Near North Side, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Video sent out by another local reporter also showed police in tactical gear walking on a downtown street.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a 9 p.m curfew that runs until 6 a.m. Sunday. Lightfoot said that a peaceful protest has “devolved into criminal conduct” and police will be aggressive with arrests for anyone caught damaging property.

Multiple people were arrested after protesters clashed with Chicago police May 30, 2020, in the Loop. | Carly Behm/Sun-Times

“We can have zero tolerance for people who came prepared for a fight and tried to initiate and provoke our police department,” the mayor said.

The crowd of thousands converged on Chicago’s Loop for Saturday’s protest march. The demonstration began at 2 p.m. and protesters began marching north about 90 minutes later, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Protesters try to overturn Chicago police vehicle

In this video from The TRiiBE reporter Matt Harvey, protesters tried to overturn a Chicago police vehicle. Several vehicles were damaged during Saturday's protest.

Saturday’s demonstration came after Chicago officials, following overnight clashes with protesters, asked that additional protests remain peaceful. Demonstrations are expected throughout the weekend over Floyd’s death.

Multiple people were arrested after protesters clashed with Chicago police May 30, 2020, in the Loop. | Carly Behm/Sun-Times

Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said peaceful protests that began Friday afternoon turned more confrontational as the night wore on, resulting in 108 arrests. Protesters blocked traffic along major streets, threw bottles and other objects at police vehicles and shattered the windows of downtown businesses.

About a dozen squad cars were damaged and some officers suffered minor injuries, including a broken wrist.

The violence in Chicago and many other cities was sparked by anger over over Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on Monday, which was captured on cellphone video. It led to the firing Tuesday of the four police officers who were arresting Floyd for suspicion of passing a counterfeit bill and to third-degree murder and manslaughter charges being filed Friday against the officer who used his knee to pin Floyd down for more than eight minutes, even as Floyd pleaded for air and went limp.