KANSAS CITY (AP) — Civil rights organizations on Wednesday called for the resignation of Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith, hours after a group of mostly black pastors demanded changes to improve relations between police and the city's minority community.

The Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the NAACP’s Kansas City, Missouri branch, and More2 said in a statement that Smith should resign because of his handling of previous excessive force complaints and officer-involved shootings of black men.

Smith said he had no plans to resign. After mingling with a crowd of protesters chanting “Black lives must survive," he announced that the department had “been listening" and had obtained funding for body cameras. The crowd erupted into applause. The DeBruce Foundation donated $1 million, with another $1.5 million coming from other business and philanthropic groups.

“I know everybody is tired of waiting for justice," Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “What we are going to do today is take one first step into the process of rebuilding connections, rebuilding trust and making sure you know that this city works for you. What I want to make sure that you know we know is that black lives matter."

Body cameras were among the demands from the group calling for Smith's resignation. They also criticized the city’s Board of Police Commissioners for allowing the chief to conduct internal investigations of officer-involved shootings and complaints of excessive force rather than calling in independent investigators.

A group of mostly black religious leaders made similar demands earlier Wednesday, but without calling for Smith's resignation.

Emanual Cleaver III, pastor at St. James United Methodist Church, said the pastors believed it was necessary to seek change because: “What happened to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c35e8d89079dcb7cf7021ebdb71b04be">George Floyd&nbsp;</a>was nothing new.” He said pastors "will take action” if the city doesn't respond, though he declined to elaborate.

Among the protesters in the crowd, was 20-year-old Joileeah Worley, who is spending the summer at home in Kansas City after studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles.

“Something needs to change," she said. “And if it's not a change in policy, it needs to be a change in perspective and the only way we can get a change in perspective is if we have someone new in power."

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said her office was reviewing video of Kansas City police officers who pepper-sprayed two protesters and arrested one who was yelling at police during protests Monday night.

Lucas said Tuesday that he reviewed videos that had been sent to him from people concerned about police actions, and asked the FBI and federal prosecutors to review any that might violate procedures or show misconduct.

Kansas City has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/83b1ecab54f039bbd30346a218a4c994">endured&nbsp;</a>five days of protests over Floyd's May 25 death in Minneapolis. Peaceful daytime demonstrations devolved into violence. Police used tear gas on protesters for the first four nights before relative calm returned Tuesday night.

In St. Louis, the police officers’ union this week said it had lost faith in Police Chief John Hayden’s response to violent demonstrators and asked Gov. Mike Parson to send the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the National Guard to help, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Mayor Lyda Krewson said Hayden had her full support. Sgt. Heather Taylor, president of the Ethical Society of Police, which represents mostly black officers, said Hayden is doing a fair job and that the union is targeting him because he’s firing union members “at an alarming rate for misconduct,” and because the chief is black. Jeff Roorda, business manager of the union calling for reinforcements, said the criticism is based on the chief’s performance.

Parson said Wednesday that the state doesn’t need federal troops “at this point" to help quell the demonstrations.

President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/41d80cc063a7199f75fb28cc34713f0c">send federal military troops</a>&nbsp;to U.S. cities to quell the violence that erupted after Floyd, a handcuffed black man died, after a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck until he stopped moving.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page on Wednesday accused Trump of “fanning the flames” of violence and treating the demonstrations as if they “were a reality show.”

Although protests Tuesday night in St. Louis County were calm, Page's comments came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/83b1ecab54f039bbd30346a218a4c994">four St. Louis police officers</a>&nbsp;were shot and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1421b4f84e39488c41c0a285dba8a8cc">retired St. Louis police captain</a>&nbsp;was killed during violence overnight Monday. Police said more than 70 businesses in the city were ransacked, including a pawn shop where retired St. Louis police Capt. David Dorn was fatally shot during a break-in.

The U.S. Attorney in St. Louis on Wednesday charged a man who lived in a complex adjacent to where the four officers were shot with felony weapons charges. The complaint does not directly link Christopher Thomas Gaston, 40, of St. Louis, to the shootings.

The criminal complaint says witnesses reported seeing Gaston with weapons the evening of the shootings and surveillance video showed Gaston carrying a long rifle partially concealed under a blanket. Officers found two firearms and ammunition in his apartment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591275596951.png" alt="Chief Rick Smith and Mayor Lucas during a Monday press briefing -image courtesy KCMO police" />
 <figcaption>Chief Rick Smith and Mayor Lucas during a Monday press briefing -image courtesy KCMO police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Civil rights organizations on Wednesday called for the resignation of Kansas City Police Chief Rick Smith, hours after a group of mostly black pastors demanded changes to improve relations between police and the city's minority community.The Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the NAACP’s Kansas City, Missouri branch, and More2 said in a statement that Smith should resign because of his handling of previous excessive force complaints and officer-involved shootings of black men.Smith said he had no plans to resign. After mingling with a crowd of protesters chanting “Black lives must survive," he announced that the department had “been listening" and had obtained funding for body cameras. The crowd erupted into applause. The DeBruce Foundation donated $1 million, with another $1.5 million coming from other business and philanthropic groups.“I know everybody is tired of waiting for justice," Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “What we are going to do today is take one first step into the process of rebuilding connections, rebuilding trust and making sure you know that this city works for you. What I want to make sure that you know we know is that black lives matter."Body cameras were among the demands from the group calling for Smith's resignation. They also criticized the city’s Board of Police Commissioners for allowing the chief to conduct internal investigations of officer-involved shootings and complaints of excessive force rather than calling in independent investigators.A group of mostly black religious leaders made similar demands earlier Wednesday, but without calling for Smith's resignation.Emanual Cleaver III, pastor at St. James United Methodist Church, said the pastors believed it was necessary to seek change because: “What happened to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c35e8d89079dcb7cf7021ebdb71b04be">George Floyd&nbsp;</a>was nothing new.” He said pastors "will take action” if the city doesn't respond, though he declined to elaborate.Among the protesters in the crowd, was 20-year-old Joileeah Worley, who is spending the summer at home in Kansas City after studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles.“Something needs to change," she said. “And if it's not a change in policy, it needs to be a change in perspective and the only way we can get a change in perspective is if we have someone new in power."Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said her office was reviewing video of Kansas City police officers who pepper-sprayed two protesters and arrested one who was yelling at police during protests Monday night.Lucas said Tuesday that he reviewed videos that had been sent to him from people concerned about police actions, and asked the FBI and federal prosecutors to review any that might violate procedures or show misconduct.Kansas City has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/83b1ecab54f039bbd30346a218a4c994">endured&nbsp;</a>five days of protests over Floyd's May 25 death in Minneapolis. Peaceful daytime demonstrations devolved into violence. Police used tear gas on protesters for the first four nights before relative calm returned Tuesday night.In St. Louis, the police officers’ union this week said it had lost faith in Police Chief John Hayden’s response to violent demonstrators and asked Gov. Mike Parson to send the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the National Guard to help, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.Mayor Lyda Krewson said Hayden had her full support. Sgt. Heather Taylor, president of the Ethical Society of Police, which represents mostly black officers, said Hayden is doing a fair job and that the union is targeting him because he’s firing union members “at an alarming rate for misconduct,” and because the chief is black. Jeff Roorda, business manager of the union calling for reinforcements, said the criticism is based on the chief’s performance.Parson said Wednesday that the state doesn’t need federal troops “at this point" to help quell the demonstrations.President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/41d80cc063a7199f75fb28cc34713f0c">send federal military troops</a>&nbsp;to U.S. cities to quell the violence that erupted after Floyd, a handcuffed black man died, after a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck until he stopped moving.St. Louis County Executive Sam Page on Wednesday accused Trump of “fanning the flames” of violence and treating the demonstrations as if they “were a reality show.”Although protests Tuesday night in St. Louis County were calm, Page's comments came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/83b1ecab54f039bbd30346a218a4c994">four St. Louis police officers</a>&nbsp;were shot and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1421b4f84e39488c41c0a285dba8a8cc">retired St. Louis police captain</a>&nbsp;was killed during violence overnight Monday. Police said more than 70 businesses in the city were ransacked, including a pawn shop where retired St. Louis police Capt. David Dorn was fatally shot during a break-in.The U.S. Attorney in St. Louis on Wednesday charged a man who lived in a complex adjacent to where the four officers were shot with felony weapons charges. The complaint does not directly link Christopher Thomas Gaston, 40, of St. Louis, to the shootings.The criminal complaint says witnesses reported seeing Gaston with weapons the evening of the shootings and surveillance video showed Gaston carrying a long rifle partially concealed under a blanket. Officers found two firearms and ammunition in his apartment.

Black leaders in Kansas City seek police chief's resignation

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to assess damage reports after a clash with protesters in Topeka Monday night. 

The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office is attempting to identify the suspect responsible for criminal damage to a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle during the protest at the Law Enforcement Center, 320, Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.

Police arrested at least five people during the violent protest, according to Topeka police department spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.

Anyone with knowledge of this incident is encouraged to call the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office at 785-251-2200. Police continue to remind citizens to report any damages to TPD by calling 785-368-9551. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591276480007.png" alt="Photos courtesy Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to assess damage reports after a clash with protesters in Topeka Monday night. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591278117776.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office is attempting to identify the suspect responsible for criminal damage to a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle during the protest at the Law Enforcement Center, 320, Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591094592476.png" alt="View of the confrontation Monday photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>View of the confrontation Monday photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Police arrested at least five people during the violent protest, according to Topeka police department spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.Anyone with knowledge of this incident is encouraged to call the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office at 785-251-2200. Police continue to remind citizens to report any damages to TPD by calling 785-368-9551.

Sheriff works to ID suspect for Kansas protest march violence

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the peaceful protests that turned violent on Tuesday and made several arrests.

&nbsp;No officers were injured when police were forced to clear the unlawful assemblies.

Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, individuals began to gather at the intersection of 21st and Maize Road, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay.

 Initially, the gathering was peaceful, but the disturbances quickly escalated, leading to a physical fight in the street. As the crowd agitation continued to elevate, WPD began to clear the crowd, and bottles were thrown at officers. WPD arrested five individuals for remaining at an unlawful assembly, one individual was arrested for reckless driving, and one individual was arrested for obstruction.

WPD then learned of a gathering at 21st and Arkansas. As officers monitored the situation, bottles and rocks were thrown at them. Also, random shots started to be fired at locations around the gathering. The crowd continued to become more agitated, and multiple individuals began looting the QuikTrip store at 626 w 21st, and the windshield of a WPD patrol car was damaged.

WPD began clearing the unlawful assembly. Random shots continued to occur from various locations around the protest, and one arrest was made for remaining at an unlawful assembly and obstruction.

After the assembly was disbanded, WPD began receiving information of businesses in east Wichita being damaged. WPD began checking several locations. In doing so, WPD arrested four individuals at an east side business. After the arrest of the individuals, officers recovered evidence in their car related to the looting that occurred earlier at QT.

Police arrested 22-year-old Valenthum Ponds of Wichita on requested charges of criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement, and an outstanding warrant. They also arrested 21-year-old Tyra Adair of Wichita on charges of criminal damage to property, burglary, resisting arrest, and&nbsp; an outstanding warrant.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Police arrested a 17-year-old girl for charges of burglary, theft, battery of a law enforcement officer, criminal damage to property and resisting arrest and a 15-year-old girl on charges of burglary, theft, and destruction to property.

WPD continued to receive reports of vandalism and thefts at multiple businesses throughout the city into the early morning.

“We are grateful for those who have held and helped maintain peaceful protests,” Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “However, criminal activity will not be tolerated, and you will be arrested. Violent acts and looting will result in jail time.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591267402416.png" alt="Adair Photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Adair Photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the peaceful protests that turned violent on Tuesday and made several arrests.&nbsp;No officers were injured when police were forced to clear the unlawful assemblies.Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, individuals began to gather at the intersection of 21st and Maize Road, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsay. Initially, the gathering was peaceful, but the disturbances quickly escalated, leading to a physical fight in the street. As the crowd agitation continued to elevate, WPD began to clear the crowd, and bottles were thrown at officers. WPD arrested five individuals for remaining at an unlawful assembly, one individual was arrested for reckless driving, and one individual was arrested for obstruction.WPD then learned of a gathering at 21st and Arkansas. As officers monitored the situation, bottles and rocks were thrown at them. Also, random shots started to be fired at locations around the gathering. The crowd continued to become more agitated, and multiple individuals began looting the QuikTrip store at 626 w 21st, and the windshield of a WPD patrol car was damaged.WPD began clearing the unlawful assembly. Random shots continued to occur from various locations around the protest, and one arrest was made for remaining at an unlawful assembly and obstruction.After the assembly was disbanded, WPD began receiving information of businesses in east Wichita being damaged. WPD began checking several locations. In doing so, WPD arrested four individuals at an east side business. After the arrest of the individuals, officers recovered evidence in their car related to the looting that occurred earlier at QT.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591267369729.png" alt="Ponds" />
 <figcaption>Ponds</figcaption>
 </figure>Police arrested 22-year-old Valenthum Ponds of Wichita on requested charges of criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement, and an outstanding warrant. They also arrested 21-year-old Tyra Adair of Wichita on charges of criminal damage to property, burglary, resisting arrest, and&nbsp; an outstanding warrant.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police arrested a 17-year-old girl for charges of burglary, theft, battery of a law enforcement officer, criminal damage to property and resisting arrest and a 15-year-old girl on charges of burglary, theft, and destruction to property.WPD continued to receive reports of vandalism and thefts at multiple businesses throughout the city into the early morning.“We are grateful for those who have held and helped maintain peaceful protests,” Chief Gordon Ramsay said. “However, criminal activity will not be tolerated, and you will be arrested. Violent acts and looting will result in jail time.”

Police make arrests following protest and looting in Wichita

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon after a high-speed chase in Shawnee County.

Just after 10:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy observed a 2002 Lincoln Town Car traveling in the 7700 block of SW U.S 75 Highway that was reported stolen out of Parsons, Kansas, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.

The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit traveled through the southern portion of Shawnee County and ended in Osage County. Deputies arrested Travis W. Wolverton, 28, of Topeka, on requested charges of felony flee and elude, reckless driving, multiple traffic violations and drug charges.

He was on parole and reported as an absconder after two convictions for theft and one for flee and elude law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591123955421.png" alt="Wolverton photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Wolverton photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon after a high-speed chase in Shawnee County.Just after 10:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy observed a 2002 Lincoln Town Car traveling in the 7700 block of SW U.S 75 Highway that was reported stolen out of Parsons, Kansas, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit traveled through the southern portion of Shawnee County and ended in Osage County. Deputies arrested Travis W. Wolverton, 28, of Topeka, on requested charges of felony flee and elude, reckless driving, multiple traffic violations and drug charges.He was on parole and reported as an absconder after two convictions for theft and one for flee and elude law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Wanted Kan. felon captured driving reported stolen car 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the rape of a runaway teen made his first court appearance Tuesday, according to the Sedgwick Count District Attorney's office.

Gerardo Aguero-Hernandez, 26, Wichita, is charged with aggravated kidnapping, rape, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery, according to online jail records. He is jailed on a bond of $300,000.

Just before 1a.m. May 22, police responded to a rape report in the 1800 block of W. Pine Avenue in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

A minor female who ran to that location and reported to a citizen that she had been sexually assaulted.

The investigation revealed that the juvenile ran from her foster home earlier in the day around noon.&nbsp;

A suspect identified as Aguero-Hernandez contacted her as she walked along North Broadway and offered her a ride.&nbsp; She accepted, but instead of being taken to the agreed-upon location, Aguero-Hernandez drove her to an area near Arthur B. Sim Park.&nbsp; While in the vehicle, Aguero-Hernandez sexually assaulted and battered the girl, according to Davidson. She was able to escape the vehicle and ran to contact a citizen who called 911.&nbsp;

Through further investigation, Aguero-Hernandez was identified subsequently arrested&nbsp;from a residence in the 2400 block of N. Woodland in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590769800736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Aguero-HernandezSEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the rape of a runaway teen made his first court appearance Tuesday, according to the Sedgwick Count District Attorney's office.Gerardo Aguero-Hernandez, 26, Wichita, is charged with aggravated kidnapping, rape, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery, according to online jail records. He is jailed on a bond of $300,000.Just before 1a.m. May 22, police responded to a rape report in the 1800 block of W. Pine Avenue in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;A minor female who ran to that location and reported to a citizen that she had been sexually assaulted.The investigation revealed that the juvenile ran from her foster home earlier in the day around noon.&nbsp;A suspect identified as Aguero-Hernandez contacted her as she walked along North Broadway and offered her a ride.&nbsp; She accepted, but instead of being taken to the agreed-upon location, Aguero-Hernandez drove her to an area near Arthur B. Sim Park.&nbsp; While in the vehicle, Aguero-Hernandez sexually assaulted and battered the girl, according to Davidson. She was able to escape the vehicle and ran to contact a citizen who called 911.&nbsp;Through further investigation, Aguero-Hernandez was identified subsequently arrested&nbsp;from a residence in the 2400 block of N. Woodland in Wichita.

Kan. man accused in rape of runaway teen makes court appearance

RILEY COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman for alleged breach of privacy in connection with sending a sexual picture of a 25-year-old woman without the victim's consent.

On January 11, police in Manhattan, filed a report for breach of privacy, according to the Riley County Police Department. 

Officers listed a 25-year-old woman as the victim when it was reported a known&nbsp;21-year-old suspect identified as Jazlyn Unique Washington of Junction City&nbsp; disseminated a picture of the victim without consent&nbsp;.&nbsp;

On Wednesday police reported they arrested Washington on requested charges that include "Breach of privacy; disseminate sexual media of person 18+ yrs; 1st conviction."

Due to the nature of the crime, police released no additional information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591183067509.png" alt="Washington-photo Geary Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Washington-photo Geary Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman for alleged breach of privacy in connection with sending a sexual picture of a 25-year-old woman without the victim's consent.On January 11, police in Manhattan, filed a report for breach of privacy, according to the Riley County Police Department. Officers listed a 25-year-old woman as the victim when it was reported a known&nbsp;21-year-old suspect identified as Jazlyn Unique Washington of Junction City&nbsp; disseminated a picture of the victim without consent&nbsp;.&nbsp;On Wednesday police reported they arrested Washington on requested charges that include "Breach of privacy; disseminate sexual media of person 18+ yrs; 1st conviction."Due to the nature of the crime, police released no additional information.

Kansas woman accused of sending sexual photo without permission 

There has been an arrest in connection with a double homicide in Junction City on May 7th in which police responded to the area of 800 West 11th Street for a report of shots fired. They found Dillon Spencer, 21, and Aaron Villarreal, 19, both of Junction City deceased of apparent gun shot wounds.&nbsp;

JCPD Captain, Trish Giordano, said Dontavion Wright, 18, Talladega, Alabama has been arrested on a Geary County District Court warrant charging him with two counts of First-Degree Murder. The arrest was made by police in Talladega on Wednesday. Wright had previously been identified by police in Junction City only as "J,"&nbsp; a person of interest in the case, but has now been identified and is being held on a two-million dollar bond at the Talladega County jail pending extradition back to Geary County.

Giordano confirmed that officers are still looking for a second suspect in the case, Nathaniel Holmes, 18. If you have information on his whereabouts call Crime Stoppers at 785-762-8477&nbsp; &nbsp;or leave a WebTip on their Facebook page. You could be eligible for a cash reward.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591283504503.png" alt="Dontavion Wright - Photo Talladega County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Dontavion Wright - Photo Talladega County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>There has been an arrest in connection with a double homicide in Junction City on May 7th in which police responded to the area of 800 West 11th Street for a report of shots fired. They found Dillon Spencer, 21, and Aaron Villarreal, 19, both of Junction City deceased of apparent gun shot wounds.&nbsp;JCPD Captain, Trish Giordano, said Dontavion Wright, 18, Talladega, Alabama has been arrested on a Geary County District Court warrant charging him with two counts of First-Degree Murder. The arrest was made by police in Talladega on Wednesday. Wright had previously been identified by police in Junction City only as "J,"&nbsp; a person of interest in the case, but has now been identified and is being held on a two-million dollar bond at the Talladega County jail pending extradition back to Geary County.Giordano confirmed that officers are still looking for a second suspect in the case, Nathaniel Holmes, 18. If you have information on his whereabouts call Crime Stoppers at 785-762-8477&nbsp; &nbsp;or leave a WebTip on their Facebook page. You could be eligible for a cash reward.

Police make one arrest on two counts of First-Degree Murder

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a peaceful protest march in Wichita that turned violent Monday night and have released video of the alleged shooter.

According to Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsey, officers faced a life threatening and harrowing situation during a protest march Monday night.

"What started out as a peaceful protest about 7p.m. at 21st Street and Arkansas turned into a very violent scene in the early morning hours of Tuesday," said Ramsay during a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WichitaPolice/videos/247413959927580/">Tuesday afternoon press conference.</a>

At about 11:30p.m. a glass window on the Metro PCS store on 21 Street was vandalized and random gunshots began to ring out in the area, according to Ramsey.&nbsp; "We don't have an issue with peaceful protests but when property is damaged and there are gunshots, it raises our level of concern as it does our community members."

Wichita police moved toward the scene of the violence with additional officers to clear what had become an unlawful assembly from the area. "The majority left peacefully after being asked to leave over a loud speaker," said Ramsey. 

"Some 50-70 people remained and were very hostile. As officers moved in to clear the area, they were hit with cinder blocks, rocks, water bottles and other debris."

In addition, unknown suspects began firing shots towards the group of officers, striking a a police armored vehicle. 

 Three officers received minor injuries from the items being thrown, two of them requiring stitches.

Police were ultimately able to clear the unlawful assembly without firing any shots.&nbsp;

Two arrests were made during the incident for charges of criminal discharge of a firearm, rioting, and failure to disperse.  Additional arrests will occur with further investigation.

"There have been a number of protests over the past few days and I'm really hopeful we can come together as a community and let voices be heard to continue moving Wichita forward," Ramsay said.

"Everyone in this police department has worked incredibly hard to build good will and strong relationships with our community."

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a peaceful protest march in Wichita that turned violent Monday night and have released video of the alleged shooter.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWichitaPolice%2Fvideos%2F529036301099374%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>According to Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsey, officers faced a life threatening and harrowing situation during a protest march Monday night."What started out as a peaceful protest about 7p.m. at 21st Street and Arkansas turned into a very violent scene in the early morning hours of Tuesday," said Ramsay during a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WichitaPolice/videos/247413959927580/">Tuesday afternoon press conference.</a><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWichitaPolice%2Fvideos%2F2590384587945591%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>At about 11:30p.m. a glass window on the Metro PCS store on 21 Street was vandalized and random gunshots began to ring out in the area, according to Ramsey.&nbsp; "We don't have an issue with peaceful protests but when property is damaged and there are gunshots, it raises our level of concern as it does our community members."Wichita police moved toward the scene of the violence with additional officers to clear what had become an unlawful assembly from the area. "The majority left peacefully after being asked to leave over a loud speaker," said Ramsey. "Some 50-70 people remained and were very hostile. As officers moved in to clear the area, they were hit with cinder blocks, rocks, water bottles and other debris."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591127610629.png" alt="Chief Ramsay said, "A bullet ricocheted off of a helmet worn by an officer during the confrontation."- photo courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Chief Ramsay said, "A bullet ricocheted off of a helmet worn by an officer during the confrontation."- photo courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition, unknown suspects began firing shots towards the group of officers, striking a a police armored vehicle. Three officers received minor injuries from the items being thrown, two of them requiring stitches.Police were ultimately able to clear the unlawful assembly without firing any shots.&nbsp;Two arrests were made during the incident for charges of criminal discharge of a firearm, rioting, and failure to disperse. Additional arrests will occur with further investigation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591132639079.png" alt="Chief Gordon Ramsay spoke to the community Tuesday about the&nbsp; violent confrontation" />
 <figcaption>Chief Gordon Ramsay spoke to the community Tuesday about the&nbsp; violent confrontation</figcaption>
 </figure>"There have been a number of protests over the past few days and I'm really hopeful we can come together as a community and let voices be heard to continue moving Wichita forward," Ramsay said."Everyone in this police department has worked incredibly hard to build good will and strong relationships with our community."

Police release video of suspect in Kan. protest march shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — Protests were largely peaceful and the nation's streets were calmer than they have been in days since the killing of George Floyd set off demonstrations that at times brought violence and destruction along with pleas to stop police brutality and injustice against African Americans.

There were scattered reports of looting in New York City overnight, and as of Wednesday morning there had been over 9,000 arrests nationwide since the unrest began following Floyd's death May 25 in Minneapolis. But there was a marked quiet compared with the unrest of the past few nights, which included fires and shootings in some cities.

The calmer night came as many cities intensified their curfews, with authorities in New York and Washington ordering people off streets while it was still daylight.

A block away from the White House, thousands of demonstrators massed following a crackdown a day earlier when officers on foot and horseback aggressively drove peaceful protesters away from Lafayette Park, clearing the way for President Donald Trump to do a photo op at nearby St. John’s Church. Tuesday's protesters faced law enforcement personnel who stood behind a black chain-link fence that was put up overnight to block access to the park.

“Last night pushed me way over the edge,” said Jessica DeMaio, 40, of Washington, who attended a Floyd protest Tuesday for the first time. “Being here is better than being at home feeling helpless.”

Pastors at the church prayed with demonstrators and handed out water bottles. The crowd remained in place after the city’s 7 p.m. curfew passed, defying warnings that the response from law enforcement could be even more forceful. But the crowd Tuesday was peaceful, even polite. At one point, the crowd booed when a protester climbed a light post and took down a street sign. A chant went up: “Peaceful protest!”

Trump, meanwhile, amplified his hard-line calls from Monday, when he threatened to send in the military to restore order if governors didn’t do it.

“NYC, CALL UP THE NATIONAL GUARD,” he tweeted. “The lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart. Act fast!”

Thousands of people remained in the streets of New York City Tuesday night, undeterred by an 8 p.m. curfew, though most streets were clear by early Wednesday other than police who were patrolling some areas. Midtown Manhattan was pocked with battered storefronts after Monday’s protests.

Protests also passed across the U.S., including in Los Angeles, Miami, St. Paul, Minnesota, Columbia, South Carolina and Houston, where the police chief talked to peaceful demonstrators, vowing reforms.

“God as my witness, change is coming,” Art Acevedo said. “And we’re going to do it the right way.”

More than 20,000 National Guard members have been called up in 29 states to deal with the violence. New York is not among them, and Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he does not want the Guard. On Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo called what happened in the city “a disgrace.”

“The NYPD and the mayor did not do their job last night,” Cuomo said at a briefing in Albany.

He said the mayor underestimated the problem, and the nation’s largest police force was not deployed in sufficient numbers, though the city had said it doubled the usual police presence.

Tuesday marked the eighth straight night of the protests, which began after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against Floyd's neck while the handcuffed black man called out that he couldn't breathe. The officer, Derek Chauvin, has been fired and charged with murder.

The mother of George Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter, Gianna, said she wanted the world to know that her little girl lost a good father.

“I want everybody to know that this is what those officers took,” Roxie Washington said during a Minneapolis news conference with her young daughter at her side. “I want justice for him because he was good. No matter what anybody thinks, he was good.”

Some protesters framed the burgeoning movement as a necessity after a string of killings by police.

“It feels like it’s just been an endless cascade of hashtags of black people dying, and it feels like nothing’s really being done by our political leaders to actually enact real change,” said Christine Ohenzuwa, 19, who attended a peaceful protest at the Minnesota state Capitol in St. Paul. “There’s always going to be a breaking point. I think right now, we’re seeing the breaking point around the country.”

“I live in this state. It’s really painful to see what’s going on, but it’s also really important to understand that it’s connected to a system of racial violence,” she said.

Meanwhile, governors and mayors, Republicans and Democrats alike, rejected Trump's threat to send in the military, with some saying troops would be unnecessary and others questioning whether the government has such authority and warning that such a step would be dangerous.

A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the president is not rushing to send in the military and that his goal was to pressure governors to deploy more National Guard members.

Such use of the military would mark a stunning federal intervention rarely seen in modern American history.

Amid the protests, nine states and the District of Columbia held presidential primaries that tested the nation’s ability to run elections while balancing a pandemic and sweeping social unrest. Joe Biden won hundreds more delegates and was on the cusp of formally securing the Democratic presidential nomination.

Also Tuesday, Minnesota opened an investigation into whether the Minneapolis Police Department has a pattern of discrimination against minorities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591180588986.png" alt="A calm night in Kansas City. Protesters and police at West 46th and Terrace in Kansas City on Tuesday evening- photo by Leslie Augilar courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>A calm night in Kansas City. Protesters and police at West 46th and Terrace in Kansas City on Tuesday evening- photo by Leslie Augilar courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Protests were largely peaceful and the nation's streets were calmer than they have been in days since the killing of George Floyd set off demonstrations that at times brought violence and destruction along with pleas to stop police brutality and injustice against African Americans.There were scattered reports of looting in New York City overnight, and as of Wednesday morning there had been over 9,000 arrests nationwide since the unrest began following Floyd's death May 25 in Minneapolis. But there was a marked quiet compared with the unrest of the past few nights, which included fires and shootings in some cities.The calmer night came as many cities intensified their curfews, with authorities in New York and Washington ordering people off streets while it was still daylight.A block away from the White House, thousands of demonstrators massed following a crackdown a day earlier when officers on foot and horseback aggressively drove peaceful protesters away from Lafayette Park, clearing the way for President Donald Trump to do a photo op at nearby St. John’s Church. Tuesday's protesters faced law enforcement personnel who stood behind a black chain-link fence that was put up overnight to block access to the park.“Last night pushed me way over the edge,” said Jessica DeMaio, 40, of Washington, who attended a Floyd protest Tuesday for the first time. “Being here is better than being at home feeling helpless.”Pastors at the church prayed with demonstrators and handed out water bottles. The crowd remained in place after the city’s 7 p.m. curfew passed, defying warnings that the response from law enforcement could be even more forceful. But the crowd Tuesday was peaceful, even polite. At one point, the crowd booed when a protester climbed a light post and took down a street sign. A chant went up: “Peaceful protest!”Trump, meanwhile, amplified his hard-line calls from Monday, when he threatened to send in the military to restore order if governors didn’t do it.“NYC, CALL UP THE NATIONAL GUARD,” he tweeted. “The lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart. Act fast!”Thousands of people remained in the streets of New York City Tuesday night, undeterred by an 8 p.m. curfew, though most streets were clear by early Wednesday other than police who were patrolling some areas. Midtown Manhattan was pocked with battered storefronts after Monday’s protests.Protests also passed across the U.S., including in Los Angeles, Miami, St. Paul, Minnesota, Columbia, South Carolina and Houston, where the police chief talked to peaceful demonstrators, vowing reforms.“God as my witness, change is coming,” Art Acevedo said. “And we’re going to do it the right way.”More than 20,000 National Guard members have been called up in 29 states to deal with the violence. New York is not among them, and Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he does not want the Guard. On Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo called what happened in the city “a disgrace.”“The NYPD and the mayor did not do their job last night,” Cuomo said at a briefing in Albany.He said the mayor underestimated the problem, and the nation’s largest police force was not deployed in sufficient numbers, though the city had said it doubled the usual police presence.Tuesday marked the eighth straight night of the protests, which began after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against Floyd's neck while the handcuffed black man called out that he couldn't breathe. The officer, Derek Chauvin, has been fired and charged with murder.The mother of George Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter, Gianna, said she wanted the world to know that her little girl lost a good father.“I want everybody to know that this is what those officers took,” Roxie Washington said during a Minneapolis news conference with her young daughter at her side. “I want justice for him because he was good. No matter what anybody thinks, he was good.”Some protesters framed the burgeoning movement as a necessity after a string of killings by police.“It feels like it’s just been an endless cascade of hashtags of black people dying, and it feels like nothing’s really being done by our political leaders to actually enact real change,” said Christine Ohenzuwa, 19, who attended a peaceful protest at the Minnesota state Capitol in St. Paul. “There’s always going to be a breaking point. I think right now, we’re seeing the breaking point around the country.”“I live in this state. It’s really painful to see what’s going on, but it’s also really important to understand that it’s connected to a system of racial violence,” she said.Meanwhile, governors and mayors, Republicans and Democrats alike, rejected Trump's threat to send in the military, with some saying troops would be unnecessary and others questioning whether the government has such authority and warning that such a step would be dangerous.A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the president is not rushing to send in the military and that his goal was to pressure governors to deploy more National Guard members.Such use of the military would mark a stunning federal intervention rarely seen in modern American history.Amid the protests, nine states and the District of Columbia held presidential primaries that tested the nation’s ability to run elections while balancing a pandemic and sweeping social unrest. Joe Biden won hundreds more delegates and was on the cusp of formally securing the Democratic presidential nomination.Also Tuesday, Minnesota opened an investigation into whether the Minneapolis Police Department has a pattern of discrimination against minorities.___

Nation's streets calmest in days, protests largely peaceful

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting and have identified the victims as 41-year-old Talisha Fay Johnson and 38-year-old Anthony Michael Johnson, both of Overland Park, according to Kansas City, Kansas police.

They were shot to death while driving Saturday night on an exit ramp from Interstate 70. Two juveniles in the car were not harmed

Police arrested the suspect, 21-year-old Isaiah Montez Taylor, of Overland Park, at the scene. He faces requested charges of&nbsp; second-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child, according to online jail records.

Police believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591132896609.png" alt="Taylor photo Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Taylor photo Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting and have identified the victims as 41-year-old Talisha Fay Johnson and 38-year-old Anthony Michael Johnson, both of Overland Park, according to Kansas City, Kansas police.They were shot to death while driving Saturday night on an exit ramp from Interstate 70. Two juveniles in the car were not harmedPolice arrested the suspect, 21-year-old Isaiah Montez Taylor, of Overland Park, at the scene. He faces requested charges of&nbsp; second-degree murder and aggravated endangering a child, according to online jail records.Police believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute.&nbsp;

Suspect jailed for shooting that killed 2 on I-70

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a peaceful protest march in Wichita that turned violent.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591123473834.png" alt="Police in Wichita confront protesters Monday night photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police in Wichita confront protesters Monday night photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a peaceful protest march in Wichita that turned violent.According to Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsey, officers faced a life threatening and harrowing situation during a protest march Monday night."What started out as a peaceful protest about 7p.m. at 21st Street and Arkansas turned into a very violent scene in the early morning hours of Tuesday," said Ramsay during a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WichitaPolice/videos/247413959927580/">Tuesday afternoon press conference.</a><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWichitaPolice%2Fvideos%2F2590384587945591%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>At about 11:30p.m. a glass window on the Metro PCS store on 21 Street was vandalized and random gunshots began to ring out in the area, according to Ramsey.&nbsp; "We don't have an issue with peaceful protests but when property is damaged and there are gunshots, it raises our level of concern as it does our community members."Wichita police moved toward the scene of the violence with additional officers to clear what had become an unlawful assembly from the area. "The majority left peacefully after being asked to leave over a loud speaker," said Ramsey. "Some 50-70 people remained and were very hostile. As officers moved in to clear the area, they were hit with cinder blocks, rocks, water bottles and other debris."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591127610629.png" alt="Chief Ramsay said, "A bullet ricocheted off of a helmet worn by an officer during the confrontation."- photo courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Chief Ramsay said, "A bullet ricocheted off of a helmet worn by an officer during the confrontation."- photo courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition, unknown suspects began firing shots towards the group of officers, striking a a police armored vehicle. Three officers received minor injuries from the items being thrown, two of them requiring stitches.Police were ultimately able to clear the unlawful assembly without firing any shots.&nbsp;Two arrests were made during the incident for charges of criminal discharge of a firearm, rioting, and failure to disperse. Additional arrests will occur with further investigation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591132639079.png" alt="Chief Gordon Ramsay spoke to the community Tuesday about the&nbsp; violent confrontation" />
 <figcaption>Chief Gordon Ramsay spoke to the community Tuesday about the&nbsp; violent confrontation</figcaption>
 </figure>"There have been a number of protests over the past few days and I'm really hopeful we can come together as a community and let voices be heard to continue moving Wichita forward," Ramsay said."Everyone in this police department has worked incredibly hard to build good will and strong relationships with our community."

Police Chief: Officers injured during protest in Wichita

UPDATE WEDNESDAY from Topeka Police: Jonathon West, 42, was arrested following an incident that occurred Monday night in the 300 block of SE Lawrence Street. He was not arrested due to the violence that occurred in downtown Topeka.

Officers were in the area investigating a separate incident from the protests when West entered the apartment complex the officers were in. He was combative with officers and was later arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for&nbsp;Assault of LEO&nbsp;and&nbsp;Disobeying a Lawful Police Order. &nbsp;

TOPEKA —Authorities are assessing damage reports after a clash with protesters in Topeka Monday night.&nbsp;

Police arrested at least five people during the violent protest in front of the Law Enforcement Center, 320 Kansas Avenue, according to Topeka police department spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.

At one point, officers and deputies rescued a protester suffering from a health condition.&nbsp; The officers were being assaulted with rocks and debris until she could receive medical attention.

Police arrested 19-year-old Brett Michael House of Silver Lake on requested charges of Unlawful Assembly, Interference with Law Enforcement, Criminal Damage to Property and Disobeying Lawful Police Order.

Noah Lee Kelley, 21, of Topeka was arrested on requested charges of Disobeying Lawful Police Order.

Johnathon Lee West of Topeka was arrested on a requested charge of Assault of LEO and Disobeying Lawful Police Order.

Haley Paige Elliott, 19; Cameron Michele Spagnola, 27;&nbsp; Andrew Joseph Dome, 28; Brian Charles Rutschmann all&nbsp; of Topeka were&nbsp;arrested on a requested charges of Disobeying Lawful Police Order.

&nbsp;A 15-year-old girl was cited for Criminal Damage to Property and released to the custody of her legal guardian. 

Police asked citizens to report any damages to TPD by calling 785-368-9551.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591094592476.png" alt="Scene of the violent protest Monday night in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Scene of the violent protest Monday night in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE WEDNESDAY from Topeka Police: Jonathon West, 42, was arrested following an incident that occurred Monday night in the 300 block of SE Lawrence Street. He was not arrested due to the violence that occurred in downtown Topeka.Officers were in the area investigating a separate incident from the protests when West entered the apartment complex the officers were in. He was combative with officers and was later arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for&nbsp;Assault of LEO&nbsp;and&nbsp;Disobeying a Lawful Police Order. &nbsp;------TOPEKA —Authorities are assessing damage reports after a clash with protesters in Topeka Monday night.&nbsp;Police arrested at least five people during the violent protest in front of the Law Enforcement Center, 320 Kansas Avenue, according to Topeka police department spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591111184973.png" alt="Kelley" />
 <figcaption>Kelley</figcaption>
 </figure>At one point, officers and deputies rescued a protester suffering from a health condition.&nbsp; The officers were being assaulted with rocks and debris until she could receive medical attention.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591110983072.png" alt="West photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>West photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>Police arrested 19-year-old Brett Michael House of Silver Lake on requested charges of Unlawful Assembly, Interference with Law Enforcement, Criminal Damage to Property and Disobeying Lawful Police Order.Noah Lee Kelley, 21, of Topeka was arrested on requested charges of Disobeying Lawful Police Order.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591111074275.png" alt="House photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>House photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>Johnathon Lee West of Topeka was arrested on a requested charge of Assault of LEO and Disobeying Lawful Police Order.Haley Paige Elliott, 19; Cameron Michele Spagnola, 27;&nbsp; Andrew Joseph Dome, 28; Brian Charles Rutschmann all&nbsp; of Topeka were&nbsp;arrested on a requested charges of Disobeying Lawful Police Order.&nbsp;A 15-year-old girl was cited for Criminal Damage to Property and released to the custody of her legal guardian. Police asked citizens to report any damages to TPD by calling 785-368-9551.

Update: Police make arrests after violent protest in Topeka

ST. LOUIS — Police say four officers were hit by gunfire after protests in St. Louis that started peacefully Monday became violent overnight, with demonstrators smashing windows and stealing items from businesses and fires burning in the downtown area.

The police department tweeted early Tuesday that the officers were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. It was unclear who had fired the shots.

The chaos in St. Louis followed continued protests Monday in Missouri over the death of George Floyd and police treatment of African Americans, with gatherings also held in Kansas City and Jefferson City.

On Monday afternoon, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Police Chief Rick Smith kneeled with protesters gathered at the Country Club Plaza entertainment district and had what police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina later described as a good conversation with the crowd.

Not long after, Becchina said items were thrown at police and pepper spray was used. More people began to arrive later in the evening and he said about “half a dozen”people had been detained, some who had sacks of rocks and bags of urine.

On Monday afternoon, several hundred people rallied peacefully outside the justice center in downtown St. Louis, including Mayor Lyda Krewson and St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards. Protestors later walked to the Gateway Arch National Park and then onto nearby Interstate 64.

But later Monday, protesters gathered in front of police headquarters, where officers fired tear gas. Some protesters smashed windows at a downtown 7-11 store and stole items from inside before the building was set on fire.

NEW YORK — New York City imposed a late-night curfew Monday that failed to prevent another night of destruction, including arrests after a break-in at the iconic Macy’s store on 34th Street, following protests over George Floyd’s death.

As the 11 p.m. deadline to get off the streets approached, bands of protesters marched peacefully through Manhattan and Brooklyn, but police simultaneously responded to numerous reports of roving groups of people smashing their way into shops and emptying them of merchandise.

The doors of Macy’s flagship Manhattan store were breached. Police pulled two handcuffed men out and put them in a van.

People rushed into a Nike store and carried out armloads of clothing. Near Rockefeller Center, storefront windows were smashed and multiple people arrested. Bank windows were smashed. Wreckage littered the inside of an AT&amp;T store.

Video posted on social media showed some protesters arguing with people breaking windows, urging them to stop, but instances of vandalism and smash-and-grab thefts mounted as the night deepened.

New York joined other cities around the country in imposing a curfew after days of unrest. It comes on top of months of restrictions on public gatherings already imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Enough mayhem happened before the curfew took effect that Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted that it would move up to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The curfew lifts at 5 a.m.

LAS VEGAS — Authorities say an officer has been shot in Las Vegas and police have responded to another shooting as people protest the killings of black people by police. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said early Tuesday that the officer was shot outside the Circus Circus casino. A different officer was involved in a shooting in the downtown area.&nbsp;

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Workers in Alabama’s largest city began removing a Confederate monument Monday night after demonstrators failed to knock down the obelisk the night before.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin sent workers with heavy equipment to take down the more than 50-foot-tall Confederate monument made of stone. Late on Monday, after a 7 p.m. curfew took effect and streets were mostly clear, crews began their work.

Live video showed workers attaching straps to the peak of the obelisk so it could be lifted away with a crane. Within a few hours they had removed the top of the monument.

Woodfin said the city would see if the memorial could be given to a museum or another group.

Woodfin said the fine the city may face for violating a state law banning the removal of Confederate and other long-standing monuments is more affordable than the cost of continued unrest in the city.

Attorney General Steve Marshall, in a statement, said the city would face an assessment of $25,000 if it removed the monument, which has been the subject of a court fight between the mostly black city and Republican-controlled state.

CICERO, Ill. — Two people have been killed during unrest in the Chicago suburb of Cicero as protests continued over the death of George Floyd, according to a town official.

Spokesman Ray Hanania says 60 people were arrested in the town of about 84,000 located west of Chicago. Hanania didn’t provide additional information about those killed or the circumstances of their deaths.

The Illinois State Police and Cook County Sheriff’s Office were called in to help local police Monday as people broke into a liquor store and other businesses and stole items.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A vehicle plowed through a group of law enforcement officers at a George Floyd demonstration Monday night in Buffalo, injuring at least two.

Video from the scene shows the vehicle accelerating through an intersection shortly after officers apparently tackle a protester on the street and handcuff him. Officers are seen scattering to avoid the SUV as it drives off on Buffalo’s east side. Apparent gunshots are heard.

The officers were taken to Erie County Medical Center. Authorities said they were in stable condition.

WASHINGTON — Law enforcement officers used tear gas, pellets and low-flying helicopters to turn back demonstrators in Washington protesting the death of George Floyd.

Protesters remained on the streets well past the 7 p.m. curfew that had been imposed by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser. They had spent hours marching peacefully around the nation’s capital before they were buzzed by the helicopters, which kicked up debris.

A standoff developed within site of the Capitol.

Protesters smashed windows at the Teamsters building as they dispersed.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Riot police firing tear gas scattered several hundred protesters from Louisville’s downtown Jefferson Square, violently capping a day of mostly peaceful protests.

Riot police with batons at the ready stood shoulder to shoulder as they advanced down key streets before breaking up the protest after a brief standoff shortly after 10 p.m. Demonstrators shouted at police as authorities on a microphone ordered the crowd to disperse before loud bursts of tear gas crackled and spread acrid, choking smoke over the area.

Protesters began running and military-style vehicles could later be seen occupying the key square fronting a courthouse complex. Some protesters gasped and held wet cloths to their faces as they ran from the wafting gas and advancing police. A helicopter clattered overhead amid the bursts of tear gas fire, and streets appeared to largely empty out.

ATLANTA — Protesters were still in the streets of downtown Atlanta on Monday night as curfew neared, and police officers and the National Guard used tear gas, starting shortly before 9 p.m.

Protesters largely dispersed after that, though some remained, and officers were making arrests, apparently for curfew violations. A similar scene played out the night before.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The fatal shooting of the popular owner of a Louisville barbecue spot has prompted a massive march to the site where the restaurateur was killed early Monday.

David McAtee died while police officers and National Guard soldiers were enforcing a curfew amid waves of protests in the Kentucky city. Mayor Greg Fischer revealed earlier Monday that police officers lacked body camera video for the investigation.

The large group marched peacefully Monday evening as some honked horns in solidarity and marchers raised clenched fists. Louisville’s police chief was fired by the city’s mayor on Monday after the mayor learned that officers failed to activate body cameras at the chaotic scene were McAttee was shot.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — More than 60 National Guard troops put down their riot shields Monday evening at the request of peaceful protesters who had gathered in front of Tennessee’s state Capitol in Nashville to honor George Floyd.

Guardsman had initially rushed to grab their shields and form a hard line to block the slowly moving crowd — which was singing and chanting — from advancing up the Capitol steps. As the National Guard began moving, Tennessee State Police grabbed batons and formed a line behind them. However, the crowd remained calm.

Democratic lawmakers leaving the Capitol asked to be able to move past the line of guards to join the crowd. As the crowd continued to sing and call for justice for black Americans, slowly the shields began to drop. The state troopers declined to drop their batons but backed farther away from the crowd.

Monday’s peaceful vigil was a marked difference from several protests that turned violent in Tennessee over the weekend.

At least 5,600 people have been arrested in cities around the country since demonstrations broke out protesting the death of George Floyd, according to a tally compiled by AP journalists from police department press releases, police agency Twitter activity and media reports.

The protests began after the May 25 death of Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer who is now charged with murder, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air.

The arrests come as protests in some cities become more violent and as police and governors are urged by President Donald Trump to take a stronger hand in quelling the demonstrations.

In Minneapolis, where Floyd died, some 155 arrests have taken place. Some of the biggest cities in the U.S. have made a significant number of arrests, including nearly 800 in New York City and more than 900 in Los Angeles.

WASHINGTON — Protesters took a knee in the middle of a downtown Washington street Monday night, chanting, “What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now.”

They applauded as they rose to their feet and declared that the streets were theirs.

Over the past few nights, demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd in Minnesota had asked black police officers to take a knee to show their support.

The march Monday night was peaceful as nightfall approached. There was no apparent effort to get protesters off the streets even though a 7 p.m. curfew had passed.

Earlier, law enforcement officers on horseback and foot aggressively pushed the protesters away from Lafayette Park near the White House so President Donald Trump could visit a church that was damaged by fire during the protests Sunday night.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday evening slammed President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the United States military to American cities to quell a rise of violent protests.

In an emailed statement in response to the president’s comments, the Democrat said Trump “has repeatedly proven he is incapable of governing and shown nothing but false bravado throughout the chaos that has accompanied his time in office.”

“He cowers at the feet of authoritarians around the world,” Inslee said. “Now he uses the most supreme power of the presidency in a desperate attempt to hide his timidity and vapidity. I pray no soldier and no civilian is injured or killed by this reckless fit.”

The Seattle area has seen several days of violence, including vandalism in the city’s downtown core.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown says she won’t send National Guard troops to actively help quell violent protests in Portland over the killing of George Floyd because they aren’t needed and that “is exactly what President Trump wants.”

At a Monday news conference, Brown said she would send 100 state police from around Oregon to assist the city, and activate 50 Guard troops to work in support and behind the scenes.

Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump slammed many governors as “weak” and demanded tougher crackdowns on burning and stealing among some demonstrations. Trump spoke to governors via video teleconference.

Brown said having National Guard soldiers on the streets was the wrong way to go.

“You don’t defuse violence by putting soldiers on the streets,” the Democrat said. “Trump wants governors to deploy the national guard to intimidate the public.”

Portland remains under a curfew order that takes effect at 8 p.m. nightly. Police arrested 11 adults during protests Sunday and early Monday morning after authorities said projectiles — including “large, industrial grade mortar-type fireworks” — were thrown at officers.

“Having soldiers on the streets of America is exactly what President Trump wants,” Brown said.

PHILADELPHIA — Police fired non-lethal bullets and tear gas at hundreds of protesters who spilled onto an interstate highway in the heart of Philadelphia on Monday just before a 6 p.m. curfew took effect.

The crowds on Interstate 676 also led to the closure of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the main link from downtown Philadelphia to New Jersey suburbs across the Delaware River.

Some climbed a steep embankment and scaled a fence as police acted.

More than two dozen were arrested as a few hundred other protesters moved to block the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a grand thoroughfare leading from downtown the city’s imposing art museum.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591096462941.png" alt="Police confront protesters in St. Louis on Monday -image courtesy KMOV TV" />
 <figcaption>Police confront protesters in St. Louis on Monday -image courtesy KMOV TV</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS — Police say four officers were hit by gunfire after protests in St. Louis that started peacefully Monday became violent overnight, with demonstrators smashing windows and stealing items from businesses and fires burning in the downtown area.The police department tweeted early Tuesday that the officers were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. It was unclear who had fired the shots.The chaos in St. Louis followed continued protests Monday in Missouri over the death of George Floyd and police treatment of African Americans, with gatherings also held in Kansas City and Jefferson City.On Monday afternoon, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Police Chief Rick Smith kneeled with protesters gathered at the Country Club Plaza entertainment district and had what police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina later described as a good conversation with the crowd.Not long after, Becchina said items were thrown at police and pepper spray was used. More people began to arrive later in the evening and he said about “half a dozen”people had been detained, some who had sacks of rocks and bags of urine.------On Monday afternoon, several hundred people rallied peacefully outside the justice center in downtown St. Louis, including Mayor Lyda Krewson and St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards. Protestors later walked to the Gateway Arch National Park and then onto nearby Interstate 64.But later Monday, protesters gathered in front of police headquarters, where officers fired tear gas. Some protesters smashed windows at a downtown 7-11 store and stole items from inside before the building was set on fire.___NEW YORK — New York City imposed a late-night curfew Monday that failed to prevent another night of destruction, including arrests after a break-in at the iconic Macy’s store on 34th Street, following protests over George Floyd’s death.As the 11 p.m. deadline to get off the streets approached, bands of protesters marched peacefully through Manhattan and Brooklyn, but police simultaneously responded to numerous reports of roving groups of people smashing their way into shops and emptying them of merchandise.The doors of Macy’s flagship Manhattan store were breached. Police pulled two handcuffed men out and put them in a van.People rushed into a Nike store and carried out armloads of clothing. Near Rockefeller Center, storefront windows were smashed and multiple people arrested. Bank windows were smashed. Wreckage littered the inside of an AT&amp;T store.Video posted on social media showed some protesters arguing with people breaking windows, urging them to stop, but instances of vandalism and smash-and-grab thefts mounted as the night deepened.New York joined other cities around the country in imposing a curfew after days of unrest. It comes on top of months of restrictions on public gatherings already imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic.Enough mayhem happened before the curfew took effect that Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted that it would move up to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The curfew lifts at 5 a.m.__LAS VEGAS — Authorities say an officer has been shot in Las Vegas and police have responded to another shooting as people protest the killings of black people by police. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said early Tuesday that the officer was shot outside the Circus Circus casino. A different officer was involved in a shooting in the downtown area.&nbsp;___BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Workers in Alabama’s largest city began removing a Confederate monument Monday night after demonstrators failed to knock down the obelisk the night before.Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin sent workers with heavy equipment to take down the more than 50-foot-tall Confederate monument made of stone. Late on Monday, after a 7 p.m. curfew took effect and streets were mostly clear, crews began their work.Live video showed workers attaching straps to the peak of the obelisk so it could be lifted away with a crane. Within a few hours they had removed the top of the monument.Woodfin said the city would see if the memorial could be given to a museum or another group.Woodfin said the fine the city may face for violating a state law banning the removal of Confederate and other long-standing monuments is more affordable than the cost of continued unrest in the city.Attorney General Steve Marshall, in a statement, said the city would face an assessment of $25,000 if it removed the monument, which has been the subject of a court fight between the mostly black city and Republican-controlled state.___CICERO, Ill. — Two people have been killed during unrest in the Chicago suburb of Cicero as protests continued over the death of George Floyd, according to a town official.Spokesman Ray Hanania says 60 people were arrested in the town of about 84,000 located west of Chicago. Hanania didn’t provide additional information about those killed or the circumstances of their deaths.The Illinois State Police and Cook County Sheriff’s Office were called in to help local police Monday as people broke into a liquor store and other businesses and stole items.___BUFFALO, N.Y. — A vehicle plowed through a group of law enforcement officers at a George Floyd demonstration Monday night in Buffalo, injuring at least two.Video from the scene shows the vehicle accelerating through an intersection shortly after officers apparently tackle a protester on the street and handcuff him. Officers are seen scattering to avoid the SUV as it drives off on Buffalo’s east side. Apparent gunshots are heard.The officers were taken to Erie County Medical Center. Authorities said they were in stable condition.___WASHINGTON — Law enforcement officers used tear gas, pellets and low-flying helicopters to turn back demonstrators in Washington protesting the death of George Floyd.Protesters remained on the streets well past the 7 p.m. curfew that had been imposed by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser. They had spent hours marching peacefully around the nation’s capital before they were buzzed by the helicopters, which kicked up debris.A standoff developed within site of the Capitol.Protesters smashed windows at the Teamsters building as they dispersed.___LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Riot police firing tear gas scattered several hundred protesters from Louisville’s downtown Jefferson Square, violently capping a day of mostly peaceful protests.Riot police with batons at the ready stood shoulder to shoulder as they advanced down key streets before breaking up the protest after a brief standoff shortly after 10 p.m. Demonstrators shouted at police as authorities on a microphone ordered the crowd to disperse before loud bursts of tear gas crackled and spread acrid, choking smoke over the area.Protesters began running and military-style vehicles could later be seen occupying the key square fronting a courthouse complex. Some protesters gasped and held wet cloths to their faces as they ran from the wafting gas and advancing police. A helicopter clattered overhead amid the bursts of tear gas fire, and streets appeared to largely empty out.___ATLANTA — Protesters were still in the streets of downtown Atlanta on Monday night as curfew neared, and police officers and the National Guard used tear gas, starting shortly before 9 p.m.Protesters largely dispersed after that, though some remained, and officers were making arrests, apparently for curfew violations. A similar scene played out the night before.___LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The fatal shooting of the popular owner of a Louisville barbecue spot has prompted a massive march to the site where the restaurateur was killed early Monday.David McAtee died while police officers and National Guard soldiers were enforcing a curfew amid waves of protests in the Kentucky city. Mayor Greg Fischer revealed earlier Monday that police officers lacked body camera video for the investigation.The large group marched peacefully Monday evening as some honked horns in solidarity and marchers raised clenched fists. Louisville’s police chief was fired by the city’s mayor on Monday after the mayor learned that officers failed to activate body cameras at the chaotic scene were McAttee was shot.___NASHVILLE, Tenn. — More than 60 National Guard troops put down their riot shields Monday evening at the request of peaceful protesters who had gathered in front of Tennessee’s state Capitol in Nashville to honor George Floyd.Guardsman had initially rushed to grab their shields and form a hard line to block the slowly moving crowd — which was singing and chanting — from advancing up the Capitol steps. As the National Guard began moving, Tennessee State Police grabbed batons and formed a line behind them. However, the crowd remained calm.Democratic lawmakers leaving the Capitol asked to be able to move past the line of guards to join the crowd. As the crowd continued to sing and call for justice for black Americans, slowly the shields began to drop. The state troopers declined to drop their batons but backed farther away from the crowd.Monday’s peaceful vigil was a marked difference from several protests that turned violent in Tennessee over the weekend.___At least 5,600 people have been arrested in cities around the country since demonstrations broke out protesting the death of George Floyd, according to a tally compiled by AP journalists from police department press releases, police agency Twitter activity and media reports.The protests began after the May 25 death of Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer who is now charged with murder, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air.The arrests come as protests in some cities become more violent and as police and governors are urged by President Donald Trump to take a stronger hand in quelling the demonstrations.In Minneapolis, where Floyd died, some 155 arrests have taken place. Some of the biggest cities in the U.S. have made a significant number of arrests, including nearly 800 in New York City and more than 900 in Los Angeles.___WASHINGTON — Protesters took a knee in the middle of a downtown Washington street Monday night, chanting, “What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now.”They applauded as they rose to their feet and declared that the streets were theirs.Over the past few nights, demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd in Minnesota had asked black police officers to take a knee to show their support.The march Monday night was peaceful as nightfall approached. There was no apparent effort to get protesters off the streets even though a 7 p.m. curfew had passed.Earlier, law enforcement officers on horseback and foot aggressively pushed the protesters away from Lafayette Park near the White House so President Donald Trump could visit a church that was damaged by fire during the protests Sunday night.___OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday evening slammed President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the United States military to American cities to quell a rise of violent protests.In an emailed statement in response to the president’s comments, the Democrat said Trump “has repeatedly proven he is incapable of governing and shown nothing but false bravado throughout the chaos that has accompanied his time in office.”“He cowers at the feet of authoritarians around the world,” Inslee said. “Now he uses the most supreme power of the presidency in a desperate attempt to hide his timidity and vapidity. I pray no soldier and no civilian is injured or killed by this reckless fit.”The Seattle area has seen several days of violence, including vandalism in the city’s downtown core.___PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown says she won’t send National Guard troops to actively help quell violent protests in Portland over the killing of George Floyd because they aren’t needed and that “is exactly what President Trump wants.”At a Monday news conference, Brown said she would send 100 state police from around Oregon to assist the city, and activate 50 Guard troops to work in support and behind the scenes.Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump slammed many governors as “weak” and demanded tougher crackdowns on burning and stealing among some demonstrations. Trump spoke to governors via video teleconference.Brown said having National Guard soldiers on the streets was the wrong way to go.“You don’t defuse violence by putting soldiers on the streets,” the Democrat said. “Trump wants governors to deploy the national guard to intimidate the public.”Portland remains under a curfew order that takes effect at 8 p.m. nightly. Police arrested 11 adults during protests Sunday and early Monday morning after authorities said projectiles — including “large, industrial grade mortar-type fireworks” — were thrown at officers.“Having soldiers on the streets of America is exactly what President Trump wants,” Brown said.___PHILADELPHIA — Police fired non-lethal bullets and tear gas at hundreds of protesters who spilled onto an interstate highway in the heart of Philadelphia on Monday just before a 6 p.m. curfew took effect.The crowds on Interstate 676 also led to the closure of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the main link from downtown Philadelphia to New Jersey suburbs across the Delaware River.Some climbed a steep embankment and scaled a fence as police acted.More than two dozen were arrested as a few hundred other protesters moved to block the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a grand thoroughfare leading from downtown the city’s imposing art museum.

Police: 4 officers hit by gunfire during protests in Missouri

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hours after President Donald Trump posed with a Bible and vowed to deploy the military to “dominate the streets,” American cities were engulfed in more violence and destruction, overshadowing peaceful protests demanding justice after generations of racism.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591101222985.png" alt="President Trump walks past riot-police in DC Monday evening -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump walks past riot-police in DC Monday evening -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Hours after President Donald Trump posed with a Bible and vowed to deploy the military to “dominate the streets,” American cities were engulfed in more violence and destruction, overshadowing peaceful protests demanding justice after generations of racism.<a href="https://apnews.com/b1f70e768e7620981ec3d4c1e01455ee">In New York City</a>, nonviolent demonstrations were punctuated by people smashing storefront windows near Rockefeller Center and breaching the doors into the storied Macy’s store on 34th Street, littering parts of Manhattan with broken glass. A vehicle plowed through a group of law enforcement officers at a demonstration in Buffalo, injuring at least two.Demonstrations erupted from Philadelphia, where hundreds of protesters spilled onto a highway in the heart of the city, to Atlanta, where police fired tear gas at demonstrators, to Nashville, where more than 60 National Guard soldiers put down their riot shields at the request of peaceful protesters who had gathered in front of Tennessee’s state Capitol to honor George Floyd.Bystander Sean Jones, who watched as people ransacked luxury stores in Manhattan’s chic Soho neighborhood, explained the destruction this way: “People are doing this so next time, before they think about trying to kill another black person, they’re going to be like, ’Damn, we don’t want them out here doing this ... again.’”The unrest in Minneapolis appeared to stabilize on the same day Floyd’s brother made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/20f27b81228c5a947528d9a4c5c88183">an impassioned plea for peace&nbsp;</a>at the location where a white police officer put his knee on the handcuffed black man’s neck until he stopped breathing last week.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/864cb5c14ba08b4411a16577042d0773">death toll from the unrest</a>&nbsp;began to mount, including two people killed in a Chicago suburb. The police chief in Louisville was fired after a beloved restaurant owner was killed by police and National Guard enforcing a curfew.An officer was shot shortly before midnight near the Circus Circus casino in Las Vegas. Police had no immediate word on the officer’s condition. Four officers were shot in St. Louis, Missouri, where police said they were expected to recover.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591061208159.png" alt="After his Rose Garden statement on Monday evening, President Trump walked in Lafayette Park and held a bible outside St. John's Church across from the White House. Part of the church was set on fire during protests on Sunday night -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>After his Rose Garden statement on Monday evening, President Trump walked in Lafayette Park and held a bible outside St. John's Church across from the White House. Part of the church was set on fire during protests on Sunday night -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump, meanwhile, portrayed himself as a hard-nosed, law-and-order president, with police under federal command forcing back peaceful demonstrators with tear gas so he could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/15be4e293cdebe72c10304fe0ec668e4">pose with a Bible&nbsp;</a>outside a damaged church.Emerging after two days out of public view, he threatened from the White House Rose Garden to deploy “thousands and thousands” of U.S. troops. Then he made a surprise walk across Lafayette Park to a house of worship known as “The Church of the Presidents.”The photo op was condemned by Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde.“The president just used a Bible and one of the churches of my diocese as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our church stands for,” she said.For nearly a week since Floyd’s death, largely peaceful protests by day have turned to chaos at night. Many express frustration that after years of seeking reforms, minorities still suffer and die in police custody. With so many aspects of society and the economy disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, people are demanding fundamental changes, nationwide.“We have been sitting on a powder keg for some time and it has burst,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said.The president, seeking his second term in office, vowed to use more force to stop the violence.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My fellow Americans - My first and highest duty as President is to defend our great Country and the American People. I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our Nation -- and that is exactly what I will do… <a href="https://t.co/pvFxxi9BTR">pic.twitter.com/pvFxxi9BTR</a>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1267609190140436481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>If governors don’t deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers to “dominate the streets,” Trump said, the U.S. military would step in to “quickly solve the problem for them.”“We have the greatest country in the world,” the president declared. “We’re going to keep it safe.”As Trump spoke, tear gas canisters could be heard exploding.A military deployment by Trump to U.S. states would mark a stunning federal intervention rarely seen in modern American history. It drew comparisons to 1968, when Richard Nixon ran as the law-and-order candidate in the aftermath of riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.Minutes before Trump began speaking, police and National Guard soldiers began aggressively removing hundreds of peaceful protesters from the Lafayette Park, across the street from the White House, where they were chanting against police brutality and Floyd’s death.Five months before Election Day, the president made clear that he would stake his reelection efforts on convincing voters that his strong-arm approach was warranted to quell the most intense civil unrest since the 1960s. He made little effort to address the grievances of black Americans and others outraged by Floyd’s death and the scourge of police brutality, undermining what his campaign had hoped would be increased appeal to African American voters.The scene in and around the White House appeared to be carefully orchestrated. As the crowd of protesters grew, Attorney General William Barr arrived in Lafayette Park to look over at the demonstrations and the swarm of law enforcement. Once his path was cleared, Trump, who rarely attends church, then walked through the park and held up a Bible, posing for photos with an all-white group of advisors.New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Trump “used the military to push out a peaceful protest so he could have a photo op at a church.”Federal law permits presidents to dispatch the military into states to suppress an insurrection or if a state is defying federal law, legal experts said. But officials in New York and other states asserted that the president does not have a unilateral right to send in troops against the will of local governments.Earlier Monday, Trump told the nation’s governors in a video conference that they “look like fools” for not deploying even more National Guard troops. “Most of you are weak,” he said.“You’ve got to arrest people, you have to track people, you have to put them in jail for 10 years and you’ll never see this stuff again,” Trump said.Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, dismissed Trump’s comments as the “rantings of an insecure man trying to look strong after building his entire political career on racism.”Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/bf2d82afc6ae2d0e8b22a5d2b48491ff">vowed to address institutional racism</a>&nbsp;in his first 100 days in office. He met in person with black leaders in Delaware and also held a virtual meeting with big-city mayors.Biden said hate emerges “when you have somebody in power who breathes oxygen into the hate.”More than 5,600 people nationwide have been arrested over the past week for such offenses as stealing, blocking highways and breaking curfew, according to a count by The Associated Press.