While the protests have been ongoing since the death of George Floyd in May, federal agents have used tear gas to disperse demonstrators and have been accused of unlawfully detaining individuals involved in the movement, causing tensions to escalate in recent days.
Protesters have resorted to throwing fireworks at officers standing guard outside federal buildings, where barriers have been erected, and both officers and protesters have reported numerous injuries from the clashes.
Dozens more officers are allegedly being deployed to the city in an effort to further contain the protests, which have been declared a “riot” by local police that have begun collaborating with the agents in making arrests.
