'I can't breathe' protests heat up as curfews imposed in several US cities

Curfew has been imposed in several major cities in the US as violent protests erupted over the death of an unarmed African-American man in police custody.

Riot police had to use tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse unruly crowds as they blocked traffic, set fires and attacked officers.

Ignoring lockdown measures, protestors were seen chanting George Floyd's dying words - 'I can't breathe' - as they marched the streets.

In a footage that went viral online, 46-year-old Floyd was seen pleading for help as former policeman Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for several minutes, before turning motionless.