Columbus: Protesters show up in large numbers over George Floyd's death

crowd of around 400 people entered into a standoff with Columbus police on May 28 night, blocking intersection of key streets in Ohio capital for hours, demonstration began as a peaceful protest, but news outlets reported protesters began throwing objects like water bottles at officers, who responded by using tear gas on crowd. A scuffle between a protester and an officer broke out around 9:45 p.m.,

Some protesters attempted to breach Ohio Statehouse later Thursday, TV station reported, sharing photographs of what appeared to be smashed windows at statehouse. Calls and emails to Columbus police and Ohio State Highway Patrol, which covers Capitol security, from Associated Press weren't returned overnight.

“I understand why some residents are angry and taking to streets. I have said many times that racism exists across country, state and right here in Columbus. We are committed to dressing racism wherever we see it,” Mayor Andrew Ginr

Earlier Thursday, video showed crowd marching down Bro Street and blocking High Street, two downtown arteries near statehouse. As y marched, protesters engd in a call-and-response chant: “Say his name," followed by “George Floyd.” Demonstrators also chanted, “Black lives matter” and “I can't brea.”

Dispatch reported that protesters dispersed by pepper spray broke windows along South High Street and broke into DGX store, a subsidiary of Dollar General, on street. Photographs from Dispatch showed a smashed storefront at Einstein Bros. Bls shop across street from statehouse.

Floyd was handcuffed and pleing for air as a white police officer kneeled on his neck Monday. His death has touched off protests across country this week, including in Minneapolis itself.

(Im credit: Representative Im)