Protesters pour into DC for city's largest demonstration against police brutality since George Floyd's death
WASHINGTON -- Protesters streamed into the nation's capital Saturday for what was expected to be the city's largest demonstration yet against police brutality since the killing of George Floyd.
Military vehicles and officers in fatigues closed off much of downtown Washington, D.C. to traffic ahead of the planned march, which authorities estimated would attract up to 200,000 people outraged by Floyd's death 12 days ago at the hands of police in Minneapolis.
Washington has seen daily protests for the past week -- largely peaceful, with people marching back and forth from the White House to the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. The White House has been fortified with new fencing and extra security precautions.
President Donald Trump had no public events on his daily schedule. But about 100 protesters gathered at his golf resort in Doral, Florida, just outside Miami. The protest was organized by Latinos for Black Lives Matter.
Large protests also took place across the U.S. and in major cities overseas, including London, Paris, Berlin and Sydney, Australia.
Washington has featured daily protests for the past week and they have largely been peaceful, with people marching back and forth from the White House to the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.
Those numbers are expected to swell. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told reporters Friday that local officials were projecting between 100,000 and 200,000 protesters.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham wouldn't commit to a number but predicted it would be smaller than the 1 million people who attended the Women's March in 2017. It comes as authorities have sought to reduce tensions by having National Guard troops not carry weapons.
There were zero arrests during demonstrations on Thursday and Friday and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser canceled the curfew that had been in place since Monday. She said she will decide on Saturday morning if it will be reinstated.
A number of D.C. churches and theaters have said they will open their lobbies so people can cool off.
Military vehicles and officers in fatigues are closing off much of downtown to traffic ahead of the demonstration.
The blocks inside the perimeter surrounding the White House were calm on Saturday morning, with joggers and cyclists taking advantage of the open streets before the daytime temperature rises. Some people were preparing supplies for protesters, including water bottles and granola bars.
The White House has been fortified with new fencing and extra security precautions amid a week of largely peaceful protests that at times grew violent.
President Donald Trump is at the White House, with no public events on the schedule.
