The demonstration was billed as a show of solidarity with Portland, Ore., a city increasingly marked by violent clashes between demonstrators and authorities — including federal agents deployed by the Trump administration.

The nationwide furor was sparked with the May death of George Floyd, a Black man, in Minneapolis while in police custody. A White police officer was captured on video with his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes.

New York in particular suffered several nights of widespread vandalism and looting in the days following Floyd’s death.