Thousands of protesters join peaceful Black Lives Matters rallies across US after days of violence and rioting – The US Sun | The US Sun

THOUSANDS of protesters marched in peace across the United States against police brutality following days of rioting and looting after the death of George Floyd.

The country's most significant demonstrations in a half-century rivaling those during the civil rights and Vietnam War eras resumed for an 11th day nationwide.

Demonstrators gather for a peaceful protest in Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Protesters gather converge the White House to send their message to the PresidentCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Alexis Walker, 16 of Fenton, Mich., stands against racial injustice while wearing a mask to honor George Floyd that reads 'I can't breathe' as she joins a peaceful protestCredit: AP:Associated Press

But while the momentum continues, the mood largely shifted from explosive anger to more peaceful calls for change.

And change has come in Minneapolis, where Floyd died in police custody after a cop kneeled on his head.

For the city has agreed to ban police chokeholds and require officers to intervene any time they see unauthorized force by another officer.

Josiah Roebuck, a university student who used social media to help gather 100 people to demonstrate yesterday in an Atlanta suburb, is confident the momentum will last.

He said: "Once you start, you're going to see this every day.

"I just want minorities to be represented properly."

Once you start, you're going to see this every day
Civil rights activist Josiah Roebuck

Protests across the country had initially been marred by the setting of fires and smashing of windows, but peaceful demonstrations marked the third day of protest.

Meanwhile Floyd's body was being taken to North Carolina, the state where he was born 46 years ago, for a public viewing and private service for family today.

Then in Texas, where Floyd lived most of his life, services culminating in a private burial will take place on Monday and Tuesday.

In Washington, city workers and volunteers painted Black Lives Matter in enormous yellow letters on the street leading to the White House in a sign of local leaders' embrace of the protest movement.

The mural stretched across 16th Street for two blocks, ending just before the church where President Donald Trump staged a photo-op earlier this week after federal officers forcibly cleared a peaceful demonstration to make way for the president and his entourage.

The Washington Monument and the White House are visible behind the words Black Lives Matter sign that has been painted in bright yellow letters on the 16th Street by city workers and activistCredit: AP:Associated Press

More than a thousand people filled the street across from the Utah State Capitol for another night of peaceful protestCredit: AP:Associated Press

Retired Marine Todd Winn, wearing a mask which reads 'I Can't Breathe'Credit: AP:Associated Press

Demonstrators participate in a peaceful march in MinneapolisCredit: Getty Images - Getty

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The section of 16th Street in front of the White House is now officially Black Lives Matter Plaza, Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a tweet shortly after the mural was completed.

Nakia Wallace, an organizer of protests in Detroit, said people were beginning to understand the movement's power.

She said: "The world is watching.

"The main strategy is to get people to collectively come out and make demands until those demands are met."

Meanwhile Donald Trump, responding to a Twitter user who commented on the lack of police presence, said: “Riot gear or military control is not necessary because ANTIFA & other Wacko groups of Anarchists aren’t present to cause trouble.

“Incredible people.

“Thank you Maine!”