Protests turn subdued after new charges in Floyd case

Demonstrations in cities across U.S. to condemn racism and police abuses remained large but turned tably more subdued on eve of a Thursday memorial service for George Floyd that kicks off a series of events to mourn man whose death empowered a national movement. calmer protests came on same day that prosecutors charged three more police officers and filed a new, tougher charge against officer at center of case.

most serious new charge Wednesday was an accusation of second-degree murder against Derek Chauvin, who was caught on video pressing his knee to Floyd’s neck. three or officers at scene were charged for first time with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

If convicted, y could be sentenced to up to four decades in prison.

move by prosecutors punctuated an unprecedented week in modern American history, in which largely peaceful protests took place in communities of all sizes but were rocked by bouts of violence, including deadly attacks on officers, rampant fts and arson in some places.

Nationwide, more than 10,000 people have been arrested in connection with unrest,

Floyd’s name has become a rallying cry in or countries, too, unleashing protests against police violence and racial injustice.

In U.S., protests were still big, but largely peaceful in California, where NBA stars Steph Curry and Klay Thompson marched with protesters in Oakland.

Some demonstrators lay down to represent

first of three memorial garings for man whose name has been chanted by hundreds of thousands of people was planned Thursday afteron in Minneapolis at a service where Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights leader, and family attorney Ben Crump will speak.

Floyd's body will n travel to Raeford, rth Carolina, where he was born 46 years ago, for a public viewing and private family service Saturday.

re will be a large service Monday in Houston, where Floyd spent most of his life, and will include addresses from Sharpton, Crump, and Rev. Remus E. Wright, family pastor. Former Vice President Joe Biden, presumptive Democratic presidential minee, may attend. A private burial will follow.

Crump called additional charges against officers “a bittersweet moment” and “a significant step forward on road to justice.”

After new charges were anunced, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, said state and nation need to “seize moment” and use wrenching events of past week to confront effects of racism, including unequal educational and ecomic opportunities.

“I think this is probably our last shot, as a state and as a nation, to fix this systemic issue,” he said.

Hundreds of protesters were in New York City’s Washington Square Park when charges were anunced.

“It’s t eugh,” protester Jonathan Roldan said, insisting all four officers should have been charged from start. “Right w, we’re still marching because it’s t eugh that y got arrested. re needs to be systematic change.”

But mood in New York

Chauvin was initially charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, counts that still stand.

new second-degree murder charge alleges that Chauvin caused Floyd’s death without intent while committing ar felony, namely third-degree assault. It carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, compared with a maximum of 25 years for third-degree murder.

or officers — Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao — face same maximum penalties for aiding and abetting. All three men were in custody by Wednesday evening.

multiple charges against each officer would offer a jury more options to find m guilty.

Also Wednesday, Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office released full autopsy report on Floyd, which ted he had previously tested positive for COVID-19 but was apparently asymptomatic. report was released with family’s permission after summary findings Monday that said he had a heart attack while being restrained by officers.

President Donald Trump has pushed nation’s goverrs to take a hard line against violence. He again tweeted Wednesday: “LAW & ORDER!”

An overpowering security force — including officers from FBI Host Rescue Team, Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Prisons and, according to a senior defense official, at least 2,200 National Guard soldiers — was out in force Wednesday as thousands of peaceful protesters demonstrated in nation’s capital.

Military vehicles were parked on streets near White House. An FBI plane, an Army surveillance plane and a Park Police helicopter circled overhead.

At one point near White House, protesters began singing “Amazing Grace” as y knelt in view of officers in riot gear. “We are t going anywhere!” y chanted. re were signs of confrontations.

Protester Jade Jones, 30, said demonstrations would continue despite new charges.

“That’s least y could do,” Jones said. “It’s t going to wipe away 400 years of pain.”

In New York City, where high-end stores were looted in earlier days, some retailers fortified ir property. At luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue, windows were boarded up, n covered in chain-link fencing and razor wire. front of store was guarded by a line of tattooed men with dogs.

protests also also taken root internationally as Floyd's name has quickly become familiar around world.

When or black men were killed at hands of U.S. police in recent years, news reached global headlines, but t streets. This time is different.

Silent protesters in front of U.S. Embassy in Paris carried signs reading “We are all George Floyd” - in French. Protesters waved banners bearing his name from Johannesburg to London, Tel Aviv and Sydney, and seized moment to call attention to police violence, racial injustice or or problems closer to home.

“It’s a solidarity question. We stand with our brors, internationally, our sisters as well, but same thing is happening here. It’s different," Isaak Kabenge said Wednesday while a protest in Stockholm.