EU said it’s shocked and appalled by George Floyd’s death
Protests in the US continue against the death of George Floyd in police custody after the American President Donald Trump said that he will bring in the US military to control the situations if the cities or states refused to protect the citizens. Trump clearly asked the states to show heavy-handedness in controlling the protests.
“Mayors and governors must establish an overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled,” Trump said. “If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.”
Several people have died and hundreds arrested during the protests across the United States. While many protests and protestors have remained peaceful, some have looted stores and vandalized businesses as well.
Police have been accused of using excessive force against the protestors, and in some cases, has targeted the members of the press as well. Several countries have expressed their concerns over the handling of the protests.
EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed shock over the death of George Floyd and asked for vigilance against the use of excessive force by law enforcement officials. Floyd died after an officer pinned his neck down with his knee for about nine minutes.
“Like the people of the United States, we are shocked and appalled by the death of George Floyd … all societies must remain vigilant against the excessive use of force,” Borrell told reporters.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also called the protests “more than legitimate” in the wake of the “shocking” killing.
“The peaceful protests that we see in the US… are understandable and more than legitimate. I hope that these peaceful protests won’t slide further into violence, but even more than that I hope that they will make a difference in the United States,” Maas said.
Meanwhile, Australia will investigate a US police attack on two Australian journalists outside the White House. Marise Payne, Australia’s Foreign Minister said they planned on launching an official complaint.
“We have asked the Australian embassy in Washington DC to investigate this incident,” Payne said.