‘I can’t breathe’: Hundreds lie down in protest | CNN

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Protesters lie down in the position George Floyd was in when he died, during a rally in Seattle on Tuesday, June 2.
Protesters lie down in the position George Floyd was in when he died, during a rally in Seattle on Tuesday, June 2.
Lindsey Wasson/Reuters
World

‘I can’t breathe’: Hundreds lie down in protest

By Benazir Wehelie and Amy Woodyatt, CNN
Updated 7:19 AM EDT, Thu June 4, 2020
Link Copied!

Protesters around the world have taken to the streets following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.

After more than a week of protests, the officer who pressed his knee into Floyd's neck now faces a charge of second-degree murder, an upgrade from his previous charge. The other three officers on the scene were not initially charged but are now being charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

During the ongoing protests, some demonstrators have staged lie-ins, many of them taking to the ground for 8 minutes, 46 seconds to symbolize the final moments of Floyd's life.

A protester leads chants with a megaphone as others block traffic while lying face-down on the street in Tacoma, Washington, for 8 minutes and 46 seconds on Monday, June 1. That's how long a police officer had his knee on Floyd's neck.
A protester leads chants with a megaphone as others block traffic while lying face-down on the street in Tacoma, Washington, for 8 minutes and 46 seconds on Monday, June 1. That's how long a police officer had his knee on Floyd's neck.
Ted S. Warren/AP
People lie down during a rally at the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on Sunday, May 31.
People lie down during a rally at the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on Sunday, May 31.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal/Imagn
Protesters lie face-down in front of law enforcement officers in Minneapolis on Sunday.
Protesters lie face-down in front of law enforcement officers in Minneapolis on Sunday.
Leah Millis/Reuters
Protesters demonstrate in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sunday.
Protesters demonstrate in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sunday.
Ebony Cox/USA Today Network/Imagn
Jevon Sutton yells "I can't breathe" during a protest at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Saturday, May 30.
Jevon Sutton yells "I can't breathe" during a protest at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Saturday, May 30.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
Protesters lie down on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Monday.
Protesters lie down on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Monday.
Matt Slocum/AP
Protesters lie down in front of Lafayette Square in Washington on Tuesday.
Protesters lie down in front of Lafayette Square in Washington on Tuesday.
Daniel Slim/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators lie face-down outside the Norman Police Department in Oklahoma on Tuesday.
Demonstrators lie face-down outside the Norman Police Department in Oklahoma on Tuesday.
Sue Ogrocki/AP
Protesters block traffic by lying down in Coralville, Iowa, on Tuesday.
Protesters block traffic by lying down in Coralville, Iowa, on Tuesday.
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA Today Network
Protesters lie on the ground in front of a line of mounted police in Sydney on Tuesday.
Protesters lie on the ground in front of a line of mounted police in Sydney on Tuesday.
James Gourley/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Protesters lie on the ground with their hands behind their back in New York's Times Square on Monday.
Protesters lie on the ground with their hands behind their back in New York's Times Square on Monday.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
A protester lies on the ground in front of police officers in San Jose, California, on Monday.
A protester lies on the ground in front of police officers in San Jose, California, on Monday.
Nhat V. Meyer/Digital First Media/The Mercury News/Getty Images
Protesters lie down on the Burnside Bridge in Portland, Oregon, on Monday.
Protesters lie down on the Burnside Bridge in Portland, Oregon, on Monday.
Alex Milan Tracy/Sipa/AP
Protesters lie down during a demonstration in Atlanta on Monday.
Protesters lie down during a demonstration in Atlanta on Monday.
Ben Gray/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP
Demonstrators take to the middle of the street in front of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Monday.
Demonstrators take to the middle of the street in front of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Monday.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

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