Police asks protesters to avoid rally in Melbourne over George Floyd's killing

Police are urging thousands of people thought to be planning to attend a protest in Australia's second-largest city over George Floyd's killing to reconsider their plans due to social distancing rules.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius on Wednesday described the rally planned for Saturday as the largest mass gathering in Melbourne since pandemic restrictions were introduced in March.

Public gatherings are limited to 20 people in Victoria state, and people must keep 1.5 meters (5 feet) apart.

Cornelius did not say whether police plan to fine protesters, but told reporters that "police would prefer people obey the law."

Floyd died in Minnesota after a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for several minutes, even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.

The United States has been roiled in nationwide protests against police brutality since Floyd's death last week.

In Australia, police have not enforced social distancing regulations when thousands gathered peacefully in Sydney and Perth in solidarity with the African American community and to protest against the over-representation of indigenous Australians in prisons.

Australia is also confronted with its own racial tensions as indigenous Australians are 2% of the country's population but make up 27% of the country's prison population.

In April, protesters attempted to get around social distancing rules by demonstrating over an unrelated issue in their cars in Melbourne.

But police fined 26 of them 1,652 Australian dollars ($1,145) each, and arrested the organizer for breaching a ban on nonessential travel. That ban has since been lifted.

Australia has recorded 7,221 coronavirus cases with 26 in hospitals on Wednesday.

There have been 102 deaths.

However, the number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.