Protesters clash with police in New York City in latest demonstrations

Scott Heins / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Defying curfew orders, tens of thousands of protestors took to the streets across the US for an eighth night to demand justice for George Floyd.

Rallies were held in Washington DC, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Seattle, with the biggest protest held in Floyd's hometown of Houston, Texas.

The protests have mainly been peaceful with reports of riots, vandalism and looting erupting after dark.

As many as 18,000 National Guard troops were assisting local law enforcement in 29 states, while the Pentagon has moved about 1,600 US Army troops into Washington DC.

Floyd died minutes after a police officer in Minneapolis pinned him down with his knees. While former officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, the three other officers are yet to be charged. 

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