Minneapolis wakes to riots over black man's death after police arrest

The death of George Floyd, a black man pinned to the ground during an arrest by white officers, has rekindled accusations of police brutality towards the African-American community

A man faces a row of police holding a burnt upside-down US flag as protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles. AFP

A couple poses with a sign as protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles. AFP

A demonstrator kneels in front of a row of police officers as protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles on May 27, 2020. AFP

The Third Police Precinct has become the site of an ongoing protest after the police killing of George Floyd. Getty Images via AFP

A man has milk poured over he face after he was affected by a chemical irritant used by Minneapolis police during protests. Minnesota Public Radio via AP

Four Minneapolis police officers have been fired after a video taken by a bystander was posted on social media showing Floyd's neck being pinned to the ground by an officer as he repeatedly said, "I can't breathe". Getty Images via AFP

A white police officer was caught on a bystander's video pressing his knee into the neck of African-American man George Floyd, who later died at a hospital, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reuters

Protesters gather near the Minneapolis Police third precinct to watch a construction site burn. REUTERS

A protester adds wood to a fire barricade on 26th Ave S near the Minneapolis Police third precinct after a white police officer was caught on a bystander's video pressing his knee into the neck of African-American man George Floyd. Reuteres

A number of businesses and homes were damaged as the area has become the site of an ongoing protest after the police killing of George Floyd. Getty Images via AFP

Fire fighters work to put out a blaze at a factory near the Third Police Precinct on May 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images via AFP

Police and firefighters arrive to the looted Cubs store on 26th Ave S. Reuters

Firefighters work to contain a blaze at a construction site in Minneapolis. Reuters

The city of Minneapolis woke up on Thursday to smoke and widespread damage in its southern districts after a night of rioting over the death of George Floyd, a black man pinned down by a white police officer.

The area around the Third Precinct police headquarters became the focus of anger, with shops and building sites set ablaze, looting and clashes with police.

The mass outpouring of anger marks the third day of protests as people demand justice for the death of Floyd, 46.

The man’s family have called for the Minneapolis officers, now dismissed from the force, to be charged with murder.

One fatal shooting was reported near the protests area but the details remain unclear.

The protests continued as the Justice Department announced the investigation into Floyd’s death was a “top priority.”

He died on Monday after being detained by officers and pinned to the ground.

In a video shot by a witness, one officer presses his knee into Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes, even as he pleaded, “I can’t breathe.”

The incident renewed accusations of police racism and sparked protests in Minneapolis and Los Angeles this week.

Under pressure, the Minneapolis Police Department fired the four officers involved in Floyd’s arrest, but that was not enough for the family.

“I would like for those officers to be charged with murder because that’s exactly what they did,” the victim's sister, Bridget Floyd, told NBC.

The cause of death has not been revealed and the Minneapolis police have so far not released bodycam footage of the arrest.

The incident has rekindled anger, especially in the African-American community, of racism and police brutality against black men.