Monday, May 25
Cell phone video shows George Floyd, handcuffed and pinned to the ground, with one police officer – Derek Chauvin – kneeling on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Floyd was unresponsive.
Floyd, 46, is heard pleading: ‘I can’t breathe’, as he is arrested by four cops for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. He later died.
Tuesday, May 26
Four Minneapolis officers involved in the incident, including Chauvin and Tou Thao, are fired. Minnesota Mayor Jacob Frey says it is ‘the right call’.
As calls mount for the cops to face murder charges, the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launch an investigation.
That night, the first of several protests over Floyd’s death take place in Minneapolis, with protesters shouting: ‘I can’t breathe!’
People hold up their fists after protesting near the spot where George Floyd died while in custody of the Minneapolis Police, on May 26 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Wednesday, May 27
Protests continue into a second night in Minneapolis and spread nationwide to Los Angeles and Memphis, Tennessee.
As anger mounts, the protests become violent with one person in Minneapolis shot dead, stores are looted and buildings are set on fire.
Police in riot gear fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the thousands of protesters demanding justice for Floyd.
Mayor Frey called for the officer’s to be charged and said ‘I want to see justice for George Floyd.’
It is revealed Chauvin been subject to at least 12 conduct reports since 2001.
Thursday, May 28
A third night of protests with demonstrations in Minneapolis, Memphis, Louisville, Phoenix, New York City and Columbus, Ohio.
Protesters burn down the Third Precinct building while 500 National Guards are dispatched to the riots in Minneapolis.
At least 70 New Yorkers are arrested after clashing with the NYPD.
Friday, May 29
Officer Chauvin is charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter over Floyd’s death.
Mayor Frey declares a nighttime curfew in Minneapolis that begins Friday at 8pm and extends until 6am Saturday.
Saturday, May 30
At least 25 cities impose emergency curfews as protests and demonstrations continue into the weekend.
Eleven states and DC activate the National Guard as tensions flare.
The National Guard is deployed to Los Angeles amid protests – the first time in nearly 20 years since the 1992 Los Angeles Riots
The National Guard is activated at the White House as Secret Service agents struggle control demonstrators in Washington D.C.
Police in riot gear walk through a cloud of blue smoke as they advance on protesters near the Minneapolis 5th Precinct, Saturday
Sunday, May 31
At least five people are killed during protests in Indianapolis, Chicago, Oakland, Detroit and Oakland as around 140 cities hold a sixth night of protests.
Federal Protective Services Officer Patrick Underwood is shot dead outside a federal courthouse during late night demonstrations.
The historic St. John’s church, built in 1816, is set ablaze near the White House in Washington D.C. as more than 50 Secret Service agents are injured.
President Trump urged states ‘get tough’ by calling the National Guard to oversee protests and demands ‘Law and Order!’
Trump announces on Twitter that he will designate Antifa, a loose but radical far-left group, as a terrorist organization after blaming them for protest violence.
More than 250 people are arrested in New York City as six NYPD officers are injured and looters target luxury stores in SoHo
George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests have spread internationally, with demonstrations in London and Berlin.
Derek Chauvin is moved to one of the US’s most secure prisons ahead of his first court appearance on June 8.