George Floyd protests in Washington, D.C.

File:George Floyd Black Lives Matter Protest, 14th & U Streets, 5 29 20 (49949833163).jpg and U Street NW on May 29]]

The White House was on lockdown the night of May 29 in response to protests reaching the gates.{{cite web|title=White House was locked down as protests over Floyd's death reach nation's capital|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/05/29/white-house-under-lockdown-protests-over-floyds-death-reach-nations-capital/5288076002/|last=Behrmann|first=Savannah|website=USA Today|language=en-US|access-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530032709/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/05/29/white-house-under-lockdown-protests-over-floyds-death-reach-nations-capital/5288076002/|archive-date=May 30, 2020|url-status=live}} The protests began at 7:00{{nbsp}}p.m. By 8:30{{nbsp}}p.m., the White House lockdown was lifted as demonstrators began to leave. At 10:00{{nbsp}}p.m., the protesters returned; however, by 3:30 am Saturday, they were more subdued. The protesters came into conflict with the United States Secret Service. At one point the protesters were pepper sprayed.{{cite news|title=Live updates: George Floyd protests spread nationwide|url=https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/george-floyd-protests-05-30-20/index.html|date=May 30, 2020|website=CNN|language=en|access-date=May 30, 2020|archive-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530113525/https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/george-floyd-protests-05-30-20/index.html|url-status=live}} Protesters reportedly threw "rocks, urine and alcohol"{{cite news |title=Secret Service agents injured after Friday's protests near White House |url=https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/secret-service-agents-injured-after-fridays-protests-near-white-house |access-date=June 4, 2020 |work=ABC News 4 |date=May 30, 2020 |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531095352/https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/secret-service-agents-injured-after-fridays-protests-near-white-house |url-status=live }} at Secret Service agents injuring over 60 of them, including 11 hospitalized and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.{{cite news|title=Secret Service Statement on Pennsylvania Avenue Demonstrations|url=https://www.secretservice.gov/newsroom/releases/2020/05/secret-service-statement-pennsylvania-avenue-demonstrations-0|date=May 31, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914221601/https://www.secretservice.gov/newsroom/releases/2020/05/secret-service-statement-pennsylvania-avenue-demonstrations-0|url-status=live}}

As a result of the protests, the Secret Service rushed President Donald Trump to shelter in the White House underground bunker, where he remained for almost one hour.{{cite news |last1=Lemire |first1=Jonathan |last2=Miller |first2=Zeke |title=Trump took shelter in White House bunker as protests raged |url=https://apnews.com/a2326518da6b25b4509bef1ec85f5d7f |access-date=June 3, 2020 |work=Associated Press |date=June 1, 2020 |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603011822/https://apnews.com/a2326518da6b25b4509bef1ec85f5d7f |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Holland |first1=Steve |title=An Oval Office speech? Trump's advisers torn over how to address protests |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-minneapolis-police-trump-address/an-oval-office-speech-trumps-advisers-torn-over-how-to-address-protests-idUSKBN2383S6 |access-date=June 3, 2020 |work=Reuters |date=June 2, 2020 |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602211401/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-minneapolis-police-trump-address/an-oval-office-speech-trumps-advisers-torn-over-how-to-address-protests-idUSKBN2383S6 |url-status=live }} This occurred after some protesters crossed temporary barricades set up near the Treasury Department buildings. Around that time, the Secret Service alert level was raised to "red". The president's wife and son were also brought to the bunker.{{cite news |last1=Leonnig |first1=Carol |title=Protesters' breach of temporary fences near White House complex prompted Secret Service to move Trump to secure bunker |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/secret-service-moved-trump-to-secure-bunker-friday-after-protesters-breached-temporary-fences-near-white-house-complex/2020/06/03/e4ae77c2-a5b9-11ea-b619-3f9133bbb482_story.html |access-date=June 5, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 4, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200604022410/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/secret-service-moved-trump-to-secure-bunker-friday-after-protesters-breached-temporary-fences-near-white-house-complex/2020/06/03/e4ae77c2-a5b9-11ea-b619-3f9133bbb482_story.html|archive-date=June 4, 2020}} Trump later claimed falsely that he had only gone to the bunker for an "inspection", and also claimed that he was in the bunker "for a tiny, little short period of time".{{cite news |last1=Rucker |first1=Philip |last2=Parker |first2=Ashley |last3=Zapotosky |first3=Matt |last4=Dawsey |first4=Josh |title=With White House effectively a fortress, some see Trump's strength — but others see weakness |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/with-his-white-house-effectively-a-fortress-trump-sees-strength--but-others-see-weakness/2020/06/04/3c70fa26-a672-11ea-b619-3f9133bbb482_story.html |access-date=June 5, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200605004845/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/with-his-white-house-effectively-a-fortress-trump-sees-strength--but-others-see-weakness/2020/06/04/3c70fa26-a672-11ea-b619-3f9133bbb482_story.html |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |title=Donald Trump's 'bunker' story tells you everything you need to know about him |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/donald-trump-bunker-secret-service-protests/index.html |access-date=June 9, 2020 |work=CNN |date=June 3, 2020 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215212240/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/donald-trump-bunker-secret-service-protests/index.html |url-status=live }} Attorney General William Barr later stated that the May 29 protests "were so bad that the Secret Service recommended that the President go down to the bunker".{{cite news |last1=Strohm |first1=Chris |title=Barr Says Secret Service Told Trump to Go to White House Bunker |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-08/barr-says-secret-service-told-trump-to-go-to-white-house-bunker |access-date=June 9, 2020 |work=Bloomberg News |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200609003517/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-08/barr-says-secret-service-told-trump-to-go-to-white-house-bunker |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}

Trump responded to the White House protesters on Twitter, saying that if they had crossed the White House fence they would have been attacked by "the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons". He also stated that "many Secret Service agents [are] just waiting for action", and accused the protesters of being "professionally organized".{{cite news|title=Trump says protesters would have met 'vicious dogs' if White House fence breached|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-minneapolis-police-protests-trump/trump-says-protesters-would-have-met-vicious-dogs-if-white-house-fence-breached-idUSKBN2360LJ|last=Buck|first=Kate|date=May 30, 2020|work=Reuters|language=en|access-date=June 3, 2020|archive-date=June 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602030802/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-minneapolis-police-protests-trump/trump-says-protesters-would-have-met-vicious-dogs-if-white-house-fence-breached-idUSKBN2360LJ|url-status=live}}

The Secret Service reported that six people were arrested in Lafayette Square within President's Park, directly north of the White House. The Metropolitan Police Department and US Park Police were also on the scene.{{cite web|title=US Secret Service says 6 arrests were made Friday night in Lafayette Park|url=https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/george-floyd-protests-05-30-20/h_abd9cfe1b45eadfb4940a144f6ce5e36|last=Hoffman|first=Jason|date=May 30, 2020|website=CNN|language=en|access-date=May 30, 2020|archive-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601232004/https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/george-floyd-protests-05-30-20/h_abd9cfe1b45eadfb4940a144f6ce5e36|url-status=live}}

File:DC George Floyd Protest (I) (49954303233).jpg

Protesters gathered around the White House again on May 30.{{cite web|title=Protesters gather near the White House|url=https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/george-floyd-protests-05-30-20/h_c630f1aab942f1ef868a817ff9374911|last1=McCullough|first1=Colin|last2=Hoffman|first2=Jason|date=May 30, 2020|website=CNN|language=en|access-date=May 30, 2020|archive-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020110236/https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/george-floyd-protests-05-30-20/h_c630f1aab942f1ef868a817ff9374911|url-status=live}} Police vehicles were damaged with one protester graffitiing words disparaging the President.{{cite web|title=US Secret Service police vehicles vandalized outside White House|url=https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/george-floyd-protests-05-30-20/h_9e9bda3dffe27c0551cf7371c516433a|last=Diamond|first=Jeremy|date=May 30, 2020|website=CNN|language=en|access-date=May 30, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031013422/https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/george-floyd-protests-05-30-20/h_9e9bda3dffe27c0551cf7371c516433a|url-status=live}} Monuments on the National Mall including the Lincoln Memorial and National World War II Memorial were defaced.{{cite news|title=Famed DC monuments defaced after night of unrest|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/31/politics/dc-monuments-lincoln-memorial-defaced/index.html|last=LeBlanc|first=Paul|date=May 31, 2020|website=CNN|access-date=June 1, 2020|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209185158/https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/31/politics/dc-monuments-lincoln-memorial-defaced/index.html|url-status=live}}

File:2020.05.31 Protesting the Murder of George Floyd, Washington, DC USA 152 35030 (49956736708).jpg

On May 31, dozens of businesses in CityCenter, Georgetown, and Farragut Square were looted.{{cite web|title=Dozens of DC businesses looted, CityCenter and Georgetown see significant damage|url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/crime/city-center-looting-demonstrators-georgetown/65-fca83cbf-275f-412e-91b5-e8dde56bc545|last=Schultz|first=Kyley|date=May 31, 2020|website=WUSA 9|access-date=June 1, 2020}}

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered an 11 p.m. curfew.{{Cite web|title=Trump photo op not why police chased protesters from park, report says|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/police-did-not-clear-d-c-s-lafayette-park-protestors-n1270126|access-date=2022-01-03|website=NBC News|date=June 9, 2021|language=en|archive-date=June 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618090257/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/police-did-not-clear-d-c-s-lafayette-park-protestors-n1270126|url-status=live}}

Before the curfew went into place multiple arsons occurred including attacks at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square and at the AFL CIO office building.{{Cite news|date=2020-05-31|title=Fires erupt in D.C. after tense day of protests|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/local/fires-erupt-in-dc-after-tense-day-of-protests/2020/05/31/fea7c247-583b-4740-964b-35799051379a_video.html|access-date=2022-01-03}}{{Cite web|last=Millard|first=Egan|date=2020-06-01|title=Fire causes minor damage to St. John's, the 'church of presidents' in Washington, during night of riots|url=https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/06/01/fire-causes-minor-damage-to-st-johns-the-church-of-presidents-in-washington-during-night-of-riots/|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Episcopal News Service|language=en-US|archive-date=January 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127233249/https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/06/01/fire-causes-minor-damage-to-st-johns-the-church-of-presidents-in-washington-during-night-of-riots/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Gangitano|first=Alex|date=2020-06-01|title=AFL-CIO: Attack on headquarters during night of protests 'disgraceful'|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/500411-afl-cio-attack-on-building-during-night-of-protests-disgraceful|access-date=2022-01-03|website=The Hill|language=en|archive-date=June 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607043751/https://thehill.com/homenews/500411-afl-cio-attack-on-building-during-night-of-protests-disgraceful|url-status=live}}

A BBC cameraman, Peter Murtaugh, was purposely attacked by police outside the White House. Murtaugh filmed a line of police officers charging without warning, whereby a shield-wielding officer tackled Murtaugh to the ground. A fellow BBC journalist said the attack had occurred before a curfew was imposed.{{cite news |last1=Spocchia |first1=Gino |title=George Floyd protests: BBC cameraman attacked by police at demonstration outside White House |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/george-floyd-protests-white-house-attack-bbc-cameraman-journalists-a9542696.html |access-date=June 3, 2020 |work=The Independent |date=June 2, 2020 |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602215657/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/george-floyd-protests-white-house-attack-bbc-cameraman-journalists-a9542696.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=George Floyd protests: Police charge at BBC cameraman near White House |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-52884888/george-floyd-protests-police-charge-at-bbc-cameraman-near-white-house |access-date=June 3, 2020 |work=BBC News |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602002744/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-52884888/george-floyd-protests-police-charge-at-bbc-cameraman-near-white-house |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Donald Trump photo op at St. John's Church}}

Image:President Trump Visits St. John's Episcopal Church (49963649028).jpg held a bible in front of St. John's Episcopal Church]]In response to violent protests, riots, and arson, Mayor Bowser announced a citywide curfew from 7pm to 6am, which remained in effect through June 3. An additional curfew from 11pm to 6am was added for the night of June 3.{{cite web|title=Mayor Bowser Orders Curfew|url=https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-orders-curfew|access-date=3 June 2020|publisher=DC Mayor's Office|archive-date=February 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215212310/https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-orders-curfew|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Amenabar|first=Teddy|date=June 3, 2020|title=D.C. curfew order extended to Wednesday night to 11 p.m. Here's what you need to know.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/06/01/dc-curfew-faq/|archive-date=June 24, 2020|access-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624183625/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/06/01/dc-curfew-faq/|url-status=live}}

Law enforcement officers used tear gas and other riot control tactics to forcefully clear protesters from Lafayette Square and surrounding streets. Minutes later, President Donald Trump and senior administration officials walked from the White House to St. John's Episcopal Church. Trump held up a Bible and posed for a photo op in front of Ashburton House (the church's parish house), which had been damaged by a fire during riots the night before.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/historic-church-near-white-house-damaged-amid-unrest-leaders-pray-for-healing/2318673/ |title=Historic Church Near White House Damaged Amid Unrest; Leaders Pray for Healing |first=Sophia |last=Barnes |date=June 1, 2020 |publisher=WRC-TV |access-date=June 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005204731/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/historic-church-near-white-house-damaged-amid-unrest-leaders-pray-for-healing/2318673// |url-status=live }} The clearing of demonstrators from Lafayette Square was widely condemned as excessive and an affront to the First Amendment right to freedom of assembly.{{Cite news|last=Epps|first=Garrett|date=June 2, 2020|title=Trump's Grotesque Violation of the First Amendment|website=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/trumps-grotesque-violation-first-amendment/612532/|access-date=June 2, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603031031/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/trumps-grotesque-violation-first-amendment/612532/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Peter|author-link=Peter Baker (journalist)|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie |author2-link=Maggie Haberman |last3=Rogers|first3=Katie|last4=Kanno-Youngs |author4-link=Zolan Kanno-Youngs |first4=Zolan |last5=Benner |first5=Katie |last6=Willis |first6=Haley |last7=Triebert |first7=Christiaan |last8=Botti |first8=David |date=June 2, 2020 |title=How Trump's Idea for a Photo Op Led to Havoc in a Park |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/us/politics/trump-walk-lafayette-square.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200606045227/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/us/politics/trump-walk-lafayette-square.html |archive-date=June 6, 2020}}

Local resident Rahul Dubey, was widely praised by protesters after he allowed over seventy of them to spend the night in his row home after being boxed in by police officers.{{Cite news|last=Taylor|first=Derrick Bryson|date=2020-06-03|title=Man Shelters Over 70 Protesters Fleeing Arrest in His Washington Home|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/us/rahul-dubey-dc-curfew.html|access-date=2020-06-09|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605042616/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/03/us/rahul-dubey-dc-curfew.html|url-status=live}} At least one of the protesters inside the home live streamed the incident and the interactions between the police and Dubey after the police refused to leave from his doorstep, and created a large social media following of the story.{{Cite news|last1=Chappell|first1=Bill|last2=Sundaresan|first2=Mano|date=June 2, 2020|title=D.C. Protesters Hail The Hero Of Swann St., Who Sheltered Them From Arrest|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/02/868324634/d-c-protesters-hail-the-hero-of-swann-st-who-sheltered-them-from-arrest|access-date=2020-06-03|website=NPR.org|publisher=NPR|language=en|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603194513/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/02/868324634/d-c-protesters-hail-the-hero-of-swann-st-who-sheltered-them-from-arrest|url-status=live}}

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| image1 = Lincoln Memorial on June 2, 2020.jpg

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| caption1 = National Guard and U.S. Marshals at the Lincoln Memorial on June 2, 2020

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On Tuesday, up to 2,000 people demonstrated, the largest crowd up to that date. Senator Elizabeth Warren and her husband Bruce H. Mann spoke with protesters. The protests centered on Lafayette Square in front of the White House, and also included a march to the Capitol Building.{{cite news |last1=Rosenwald |first1=Michael S. |last2=Chason |first2=Rachel |last3=Lang |first3=Marissa J. |last4=Stein |first4=Perry |title=Thousands descend on D.C. protests to push back against Trump's show of federal force |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/new-fencing-encircles-white-house-continued-federal-forces-on-day-5-of-dc-protests/2020/06/02/d323e112-a4e8-11ea-b473-04905b1af82b_story.html |access-date=5 June 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=3 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215212334/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/new-fencing-encircles-white-house-continued-federal-forces-on-day-5-of-dc-protests/2020/06/02/d323e112-a4e8-11ea-b473-04905b1af82b_story.html |url-status=live }}

The President and First Lady visited Saint John Paul II National Shrine during the day, drawing the condemnation of Archbishop Wilton Daniel Gregory, the head of the Archdiocese of Washington,{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Sarah Pulliam |last2=Boorstein |first2=Michelle |title='I find it baffling and reprehensible': Catholic archbishop of Washington slams Trump's visit to John Paul II shrine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/06/02/trump-catholic-shrine-church-bible-protesters/ |access-date=5 June 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2 June 2020 |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611031222/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/06/02/trump-catholic-shrine-church-bible-protesters/ |url-status=live }} as well as a crowd of two hundred peaceful protesters nearby.{{cite news |last1=McCue |first1=Lori |last2=Austermuhle |first2=Martin |last3=Lefrak |first3=Mikaela |last4=Strupp |first4=Julie |last5=Williams |first5=Elliot C. |last6=Kurzius |first6=Rachel |title=D.C. Officials Say 'Strong Likelihood' Of Fifth Night Of Demonstrations |url=https://www.dcist.com/story/20/06/02/d-c-officials-say-strong-likelihood-of-fifth-night-of-demonstrations/ |access-date=5 June 2020 |work=DCist |date=2 June 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605220807/https://dcist.com/story/20/06/02/d-c-officials-say-strong-likelihood-of-fifth-night-of-demonstrations/ |archive-date=5 June 2020 }}

Overall, federal law enforcement presence was notably increased, which Mayor Muriel Bowser said was not the result of a request by the city. In contrast with previous days, little violence occurred.{{cite news |last1=Sadon |first1=Rachel |last2=Gathright |first2=Jenny |last3=Diller |first3=Nathan |last4=McCue |first4=Lori |last5=Lefrak |first5=Mikaela |last6=Turner |first6=Tyrone |title=D.C. Protests Remain Markedly Peaceful After Days Of Intense Clashes |url=https://dcist.com/story/20/06/02/dc-protests-night-5-lafayette-park-fence-secret-service/ |access-date=3 June 2020 |work=DCist |date=3 June 2020 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603140608/https://dcist.com/story/20/06/02/dc-protests-night-5-lafayette-park-fence-secret-service/ |archive-date=June 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}

File:George Floyd Congress 2020 (49995581667).jpg on June 3]]

Over 5,000 were estimated to have taken part in peaceful demonstrations across the city, including those well past curfew into Thursday morning. No arrests were made, and no confrontations with police or damage to police property occurred.

One group of protesters marched a route through the city, with National Guard troops and federal agents monitoring. Barricades had been erected around certain areas of the capital and were maintained by Capitol Police. The names of those who had died in previous police encounters were read aloud, and protesters had demonstrated in front of the Capitol building and the Trump International Hotel. In the evening protesters gathered in Lafayette Park or staged a die-in on Pennsylvania Avenue for about eight minutes chanting, "I can't breathe".{{Cite web|last1=Constatino|first1=Abigail|last2=Robertson|first2=Thomas|date=2020-06-04|title=Sixth night of DC protests peaceful|url=https://wtop.com/dc/2020/06/dc-george-floyd-protests-day-6/|access-date=2020-06-04|website=WTOP|language=en}}

Barr announced that he would "flood the zone" in D.C. by bringing in law enforcement agents from multiple federal agencies. Barr himself was supervising the operation from an FBI command center in Washington's Chinatown.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/william-barr-george-floyd-protests-fbi-atf-us-marshals/2020/06/02/6d093d0a-a515-11ea-b473-04905b1af82b_story.html|title=Barr seeks to subdue D.C. protests by 'flooding the zone' with federal firepower|last=Barrett|first=Devlin|date=June 3, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=5 June 2020|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605104824/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/william-barr-george-floyd-protests-fbi-atf-us-marshals/2020/06/02/6d093d0a-a515-11ea-b473-04905b1af82b_story.html|url-status=live}} The deployment involved at least 5,800 troops, agents, and officers including personnel from the National Guard, US Secret Service, US Park Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, US Marshals Service, Bureau of Prisons, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Protective Service and the Transportation Security Administration.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/federal-authorities-washington-dc/index.html|title=Why Trump has the FBI, ICE and TSA patrolling Washington streets|last1=Alvarez|first1=Priscilla|last2=Kaufman|first2=Ellie|date=June 4, 2020|work=CNN|access-date=5 June 2020|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605235727/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/politics/federal-authorities-washington-dc/index.html|url-status=live}} The heavily armed officers wore uniforms with no name badges and no insignia to show what agency they worked for, and they refused to answer questions.{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/05/protests-washington-dc-federal-agents-law-enforcement-302551|title=The Story Behind Bill Barr's Unmarked Federal Agents|last=Graff|first=Garrett|date=June 5, 2020|work=Politico|access-date=6 June 2020|archive-date=March 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310032546/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/05/protests-washington-dc-federal-agents-law-enforcement-302551|url-status=live}}

File:George Floyd protests in Washington, D.C. 1250 01.jpg

Thursday was the first day the municipal government did not impose a curfew since Sunday.{{cite news |last1=Hagemann |first1=Hannah |title=Protesters Came Out Again In Washington, D.C. — And Some Stayed, Despite Thunderstorm |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/04/870095455/protesters-came-out-again-in-washington-d-c-and-some-stayed-despite-thunderstorm |access-date=7 June 2020 |work=NPR |date=4 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607005959/https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/04/870095455/protesters-came-out-again-in-washington-d-c-and-some-stayed-despite-thunderstorm |url-status=live }} Protests on June 4 were peaceful and D.C. police did not make a single arrest.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/05/politics/dc-mayor-requests-trump-remove-troops/index.html|title=DC Mayor asks Trump to 'withdraw all extraordinary' law enforcement and Guard troops from city|last=Stracqualursi|first=Veronica|date=June 5, 2020|work=CNN|access-date=5 June 2020|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605193324/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/05/politics/dc-mayor-requests-trump-remove-troops/index.html|url-status=live}}

During the day, several hundred protesters gathered peacefully, kneeling with raised fists at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, which in previous days had been blocked off by National Guard soldiers. A large die-in was held for over eight minutes at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial as well.{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Sophia |title=2 National Guard Hurt by Lightning Strike as Storms Hit DC Protests |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/washington-dc-curfew-seventh-night-protests-june-4-white-house-national-guard-lightning/2322648/ |access-date=7 June 2020 |work=NBC4 Washington |date=4 June 2020 |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607010007/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/washington-dc-curfew-seventh-night-protests-june-4-white-house-national-guard-lightning/2322648/ |url-status=live }} Around 8pm, a thunderstorm rolled in and dispersed protesters at the White House. Two National Guardsman, non-critically injured by a lightning strike in Lafayette Square shortly after midnight, were the only reported casualties of the protests.

An internal document (“Domestic Unrest—Washington D.C. Overview”) compiled June 4, 2020 for General Mark Milley and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reports that 7,600 troops or personnel were deployed (5885) in Washington, D.C. or stationed (1,704) nearby. 2,935 National Guard troops, 500 U.S. Capitol Police, 500 Metropolitan Police Department and 500 U.S. Secret Service, 445 Bureau of Prisons staff,{{Cite web|date=2020-06-05|title=Riot forces at White House include tactical teams wearing insignia from Texas federal prisons|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/investigations/2020/06/05/riot-forces-at-white-house-include-tactical-teams-wearing-insignia-from-texas-federal-prisons/|access-date=2020-06-18|website=Dallas News|language=en|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619100327/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/investigations/2020/06/05/riot-forces-at-white-house-include-tactical-teams-wearing-insignia-from-texas-federal-prisons/|url-status=live}} 168 U.S. Marshals Service members, 160 Drug Enforcement Administration employees, 80 U.S. Park Police and 32 FBI agents were deployed in Washington, D.C. 1,704 active-duty Army troops were stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, Fort Belvoir and Fort Myer.{{Cite news|first=Anthony|last=Capaccio|title=Federal Plan to Control D.C. Protests Taps 7,600 Personnel|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-05/federal-plan-to-control-d-c-protests-has-7-600-personnel-tapped|quote=June 4, 2020, 8:59 PM EDT Updated on June 5, 2020, 10:16 AM EDT|access-date=2020-06-18|website=Bloomberg News|date=5 June 2020}}

File:2020.06.05 Protesting the Murder of George Floyd, Washington, DC USA 157 34232.jpg" painted on 16th Street NW on June 5]]

On June 5 muralists painted the words "Black Lives Matter" in 35-foot letters on 16th Street NW leading up to the White House and Lafayette Square with the assistance of the city government, which gave the section of the street the honorary name Black Lives Matter Plaza.{{cite web|url=https://dcist.com/story/20/06/05/ahead-of-saturday-protest-black-lives-matter-message-painted-on-16th-street-near-white-house/|title=D.C. Renames Intersection Near White House 'Black Lives Matter Plaza,' Paints 35-Foot Message On Street|date=June 5, 2020|access-date=June 5, 2020|work=DCist|first1=Mark|last1=Austermuhle|first2=Daniella|last2=Cheslow|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605141623/https://dcist.com/story/20/06/05/ahead-of-saturday-protest-black-lives-matter-message-painted-on-16th-street-near-white-house/|archive-date=June 5, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-paints-black-lives-matter-on-street-near-lafayette-square/2323647/|title=City of DC Painting 'Black Lives Matter' on Street Near White House|date=June 5, 2020|access-date=June 5, 2020|publisher=NBC Washington|first1=Sophie|last1=Barnes|first2=Justin|last2=Finch|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605141630/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-paints-black-lives-matter-on-street-near-lafayette-square/2323647/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/05/us/black-lives-matter-dc-street-white-house-trnd/index.html|title=Washington DC paints a giant 'Black Lives Matter' message on the road to the White House|date=June 5, 2020|access-date=June 5, 2020|publisher=CNN|first=AJ|last=Willingham|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605141621/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/05/us/black-lives-matter-dc-street-white-house-trnd/index.html|url-status=live}}

Mayor Bowser asked Trump to "withdraw all extraordinary law enforcement and military presence from Washington, D.C.", noting that protests the night before had been peaceful and she has ended the protest-related state of emergency in the city. The Pentagon later that day announced it was withdrawing 1,600 active-duty troops it had deployed near the city.{{cite news |last1=Wilkinson |first1=Tracy |title=Massive protests fill Washington to decry killing of George Floyd |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-06-06/george-floyd-washington-dc-protest |access-date=8 June 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=6 June 2020 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608171417/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-06-06/george-floyd-washington-dc-protest |url-status=live }}

File:2020.06.06 Protesting the Murder of George Floyd, Washington, DC USA 158 20208.jpg

Demonstrations on Saturday featured over 10,000 people, the most of any in the city up to that point. Among the protesters that day were Senators Mitt Romney, Elizabeth Warren, and Representative John Lewis.{{cite news |last1=Olivo |first1=Antonio |last2=Iati |first2=Marisa |last3=Stahl |first3=Jessica |last4=Vozzella |first4=Laura |last5=Boorstein |first5=Michelle |last6=Natanson |first6=Hannah |last7=Cox |first7=Erin |last8=Lazo |first8=Luz |last9=Kornfield |first9=Meryl |last10=Thompson |first10=Steve |last11=Williams |first11=Clarence |title=Romney joins evangelicals in D.C. march; Trump says he has ordered National Guard to begin withdrawing from Washington |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/06/07/dc-protests-sunday-george-floyd/ |access-date=22 June 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608094025/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/06/07/dc-protests-sunday-george-floyd/ |url-status=live }} The largest were centered around the White House, as in previous days, specifically several blocks running up to it on 16th Street. Other gatherings occurred intermittently at various locations, including 14th & U Street, Meridian Hill Park, the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol Building, Chinatown, and Thomas Circle.{{cite news |last1=Friedell |first1=Dan |last2=Robertson |first2=Thomas |last3=Small |first3=Matt |title=Even with large crowds and extreme heat, a peaceful 9th day of George Floyd protests in DC |url=https://wtop.com/dc/2020/06/dc-george-floyd-protests-day-9/ |access-date=11 June 2020 |work=WTOP |date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611170746/https://wtop.com/dc/2020/06/dc-george-floyd-protests-day-9/ |url-status=live }} Some of these marches subsequently converged on 16th Street.

Law enforcement presence was heavily scaled back, and the atmosphere resembled what some participants characterized as resembling a "block party" or "festival", in sharp contrast to the previous weekend.{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Samantha |last2=Contrera |first2=Jessica |last3=Tan |first3=Rebecca |last4=Natason |first4=Hannah |last5=Cox |first5=John Woodrow |title=Protesters throng D.C., vowing to be heard after George Floyd's death |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/protesters-gather-for-massive-day-of-rallies-in-dc/2020/06/06/92cd6838-a6cb-11ea-bb20-ebf0921f3bbd_story.html |access-date=8 June 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=7 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608202519/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/protesters-gather-for-massive-day-of-rallies-in-dc/2020/06/06/92cd6838-a6cb-11ea-bb20-ebf0921f3bbd_story.html |url-status=live }} Some individuals spray-painted "Defund the Police" on the street where "Black Lives Matter" had been painted earlier the previous day, in a move intended to criticize Mayor Bowser, who also spoke at the protests near the White House.

Police reported one arrest, for property damage, related to the protests on the 6th.{{cite news |last1=Vitka |first1=Will |last2=Small |first2=Matt |title=Demonstrations continue in DC area following huge turnout |url=https://wtop.com/dc/2020/06/dc-george-floyd-protests-day-10/ |access-date=28 July 2020 |work=WTOP |date=8 June 2020 |language=en}}

Protests continued on Sunday June 7. Protests at the new Black Lives Matter Plaza on 16th Street in front of the White House remained peaceful in the evening.{{cite news |title=Demonstrators Fill Black Lives Matter Plaza |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/live-updates-demonstrators-fill-black-lives-matter-plaza/2325569/ |access-date=28 July 2020 |work=NBC4 Washington |date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=July 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728005915/https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/live-updates-demonstrators-fill-black-lives-matter-plaza/2325569/ |url-status=live }} The atmosphere of the protests was described in media as less tense than in previous days. In a tweet, Trump said he had ordered the National Guard to withdraw.

On the night of Juneteenth protesters gathered at the Albert Pike Memorial in Judiciary Square and using ropes and chains toppled the statue of Pike. The statue was set on fire and a few minutes later local police extinguished the flames.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/protesters-topple-only-confederate-statue-in-the-nations-capital/2020/06/20/d996348c-b2a8-11ea-8f56-63f38c990077_story.html | title=Protesters topple only Confederate statue in the nation's capital | last=Stein | first=Perry | date=June 20, 2020 | newspaper=The Washington Post | access-date=July 20, 2020 | archive-date=June 20, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620081753/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/protesters-topple-only-confederate-statue-in-the-nations-capital/2020/06/20/d996348c-b2a8-11ea-8f56-63f38c990077_story.html | url-status=live }} The statue was removed the following day by the National Park Service (NPS).{{cite news | url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/albert-pike-statue-dc-toppled-toground-juneteenth-protests-who-was-albert-pike/65-54c86e07-065d-4a8e-819a-70fda3549f80 | title=Who was Confederate General Albert Pike, and why was his statue in DC in the first place? | work=WUSA | date=June 20, 2020 | access-date=July 20, 2020 | author=Schultz, Kyley | archive-date=June 21, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621075546/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/albert-pike-statue-dc-toppled-toground-juneteenth-protests-who-was-albert-pike/65-54c86e07-065d-4a8e-819a-70fda3549f80 | url-status=live }} In response to the Pike statue being toppled, Trump tweeted: "The D.C. police are not doing their job as they watch a statue be ripped down & burn. These people should be immediately arrested. A disgrace to our Country!" Because the memorial is in a federal park, it is under jurisdiction of the NPS and U.S. Park Police, not the local police.

File:Andrew Jackson statue DC.JPG north of the White House in May 2008.]]

Hundreds of protesters gathered near Clark Mills' 1842 equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square within President's Park. Protesters spray painted "killer" and other phrases on the pedestal. Rioters then affixed ropes to the statue and unsuccessfully attempted to pull it down. Police used batons and pepper spray to disperse the crowd.(1) {{cite web|first=Morgan|last=Winsor|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/protesters-topple-andrew-jackson-statue-white-house/story?id=71398486|title=Protesters try to topple Andrew Jackson statue near White House|work=ABC News|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624221910/https://abcnews.go.com/US/protesters-topple-andrew-jackson-statue-white-house/story?id=71398486|archive-date=June 24, 2020|url-status=dead}}.
(2) {{cite news|first1=Fredrick|last1=Kunkle|first2=Susan|last2=Svrluga|first3=Justin|last3=Jouvenal|date=June 23, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/dc-police-and-protesters-square-off-near-white-house/2020/06/22/cec8c88c-b4c7-11ea-a510-55bf26485c93_story.html|title=Police thwart attempt by protesters to topple statue of Andrew Jackson near White House|department=Local|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623214310/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/dc-police-and-protesters-square-off-near-white-house/2020/06/22/cec8c88c-b4c7-11ea-a510-55bf26485c93_story.html|archive-date=June 23, 2020|url-status=dead}}.
(3){{Cite web|title=Jackson Statue Near White House Still Standing After Protesters Try To Topple It|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/23/881983918/jackson-statue-near-white-house-still-standing-after-protesters-fail-to-topple-i|access-date=2020-06-25|website=NPR.org|publisher=NPR|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624234415/https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/23/881983918/jackson-statue-near-white-house-still-standing-after-protesters-fail-to-topple-i|archive-date=June 24, 2020|url-status=dead}}.

Several days later, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) charged four men with destruction of federal property for allegedly trying to bring down the statue. The Justice Department alleged that a video showed one of the men breaking off and destroying the wheels of the cannons located at the base of the statue as well as pulling on ropes when trying to bring down the statue.(1) {{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/four-men-charged-federal-court-attempting-tear-down-statue-andrew-jackson-lafayette|title=Four Men Charged in Federal Court for Attempting to Tear Down Statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square Amid Protests|work=Press Release Number 20-073|location=Washington, D.C.|date=June 27, 2020|publisher=United States Department of Justice: U.S. Attorney’s Office: District of Columbia|access-date=July 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629172701/https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/four-men-charged-federal-court-attempting-tear-down-statue-andrew-jackson-lafayette|archive-date=June 29, 2020|url-status=dead}}
(2) {{cite news|first=Martin|last=Weil|date=June 27, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/4-charged-in-attempt-to-teardown-andrew-jackson-statue-in-lafayette-square/2020/06/27/45c0a10e-b8dc-11ea-a510-55bf26485c93_story.html|title=4 charged in attempt to tear down Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Square|work=Public Safety|publisher=The Washington Post|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629121200/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/4-charged-in-attempt-to-teardown-andrew-jackson-statue-in-lafayette-square/2020/06/27/45c0a10e-b8dc-11ea-a510-55bf26485c93_story.html|archive-date=June 29, 2020|url-status=dead}}.

Soon afterwards, the DOJ announced the arrest and charging of a man who was not only allegedly seen on video climbing up onto the Jackson statue and affixing a rope that was then used to try to pull the statue down, but also had on June 20 helped destroy Gaetano Trentanove's 1901 Albert Pike Memorial statue near Washington's Judiciary Square by pulling it from its base and setting it on fire. The DOJ's complaint alleged that the man had been captured on video dousing the federally-owned Pike statue with a flammable liquid, igniting it as it lay on the ground and using the fire to light a cigarette.(1) {{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/man-charged-federal-court-attempting-tear-down-statue-andrew-jackson-lafayette-square|title=Man Charged in Federal Court for Attempting to Tear Down Statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square Amid Protests: Man also Charged with Destruction of Albert Pike Statue|work=Press Release Number 20-076|date=July 2, 2020|location=Washington, D.C|publisher=United States Department of Justice: U.S. Attorney’s Office: District of Columbia|access-date=July 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715203512/https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/man-charged-federal-court-attempting-tear-down-statue-andrew-jackson-lafayette-square|archive-date=July 15, 2020|url-status=dead}}
(2) {{cite web|first=Jake|last=Gibson|date=July 2, 2020|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/feds-arrest-ringleader-in-attack-on-andrew-jackson-statue-by-white-house|title=Feds arrest 'ringleader' in attack on Andrew Jackson statue by White House|work=Fox News|access-date=July 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232238/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/feds-arrest-ringleader-in-attack-on-andrew-jackson-statue-by-white-house|archive-date=July 2, 2020|url-status=dead}}.
(3) {{cite news|first=Martin|last=Weil|date=July 7, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/dc-man-allegedly-set-confederate-statue-on-fire-prosectors-say/2020/07/07/dd02f56e-bfe7-11ea-b4f6-cb39cd8940fb_story.html|title=D.C. man set Confederate statue on fire, prosectors allege|work=Public Safety|publisher=The Washington Post|access-date=July 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707220502/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/dc-man-allegedly-set-confederate-statue-on-fire-prosectors-say/2020/07/07/dd02f56e-bfe7-11ea-b4f6-cb398940fb_story.html|archive-date=July 7, 2020|url-status=dead}}.

Numerous former Democratic candidates for the 2020 United States presidential election appeared at the protests. Sen. Elizabeth Warren made an appearance at the protest outside the White House on June 2.{{cite web |last1=Wise |first1=Justin |title=Warren and dog Bailey join protests outside White House |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/500808-warren-and-dog-bailey-join-protests-outside-white-house |website=The Hill |access-date=9 June 2020 |language=en |date=2 June 2020 |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609024215/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/500808-warren-and-dog-bailey-join-protests-outside-white-house |url-status=live }} Sen. Kamala Harris appeared at Black Lives Matter Plaza on June 5.{{cite web |title=Live updates: 11 days of police brutality protests in DC, lawmakers consider legislation |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/live-updates-sen-kamala-harris-joins-protesters-at-black-lives-matter-plaza/65-54c61594-cef6-40d8-9e14-b57adc026d5e |website=wusa9.com |access-date=9 June 2020 |date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609024218/https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/live-updates-sen-kamala-harris-joins-protesters-at-black-lives-matter-plaza/65-54c61594-cef6-40d8-9e14-b57adc026d5e |url-status=live }} Congressman John Lewis, the last surviving speaker from the March on Washington who was being treated for Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, visited Black Lives Matter Plaza on June 7, declaring it "very moving".{{cite web |last1=Knutson |first1=Jacob |title=Civil rights icon John Lewis visits new Black Lives Matter Plaza in D.C. |url=https://www.axios.com/john-lewis-black-lives-matter-plaza-da036fbe-0aef-46f4-b284-50ffe130aaf1.html |website=Axios |access-date=9 June 2020 |language=en |date=7 June 2020}}

Senator Mitt Romney was the first known Republican senator to publicly join the protests, attending a rally,{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/06/07/romney-protest-black-lives-matter/|title=Mitt Romney, marching with evangelicals, becomes first GOP senator to join George Floyd protests in D.C.|first1=Michelle|last1=Boorstein|first2=Hannah|last2=Natanson|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=June 18, 2020|access-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618171944/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/06/07/romney-protest-black-lives-matter/|url-status=live}} and then joining the Faith Works march, on June 7, 2020,{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Solender |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/06/07/mitt-romney-says-black-lives-matter-at-protest-against-police-violence/#32d791d409e8 |title=Mitt Romney Says 'Black Lives Matter' At Protest Against Police Violence |work=Forbes |date=June 7, 2020 |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609064743/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/06/07/mitt-romney-says-black-lives-matter-at-protest-against-police-violence/#32d791d409e8 |url-status=live }} from southeast Washington,{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/june/mitt-romney-dc-march-thabiti-anyabwile-christians.html|title=Mitt Romney Joins Evangelical Racial Justice March in DC|first=Jack|last=Jenkins|website=Religion News Service|date=June 7, 2020|via=christianity today|access-date=June 18, 2020|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618145937/https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/june/mitt-romney-dc-march-thabiti-anyabwile-christians.html|url-status=live}} past the Trump International Hotel, and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, stating, "We need many voices against racism and against brutality. We need to stand up and say that black lives matter."{{Cite web|url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2020/06/07/mitt-romney-marches-black/|title=Mitt Romney marches in Black Lives Matter protest in Washington|first1=Josh|date=June 7, 2020|last1=Newman|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|access-date=June 18, 2020|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620225250/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2020/06/07/mitt-romney-marches-black/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mitt-romney-takes-part-protest-supporting-black-lives-matter-near-n1227086|title=Mitt Romney takes part in protest supporting Black Lives Matter near White House|website=NBC News|date=June 8, 2020|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608035942/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mitt-romney-takes-part-protest-supporting-black-lives-matter-near-n1227086|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1269758561720156160|title=Twitter|website=mobile.twitter.com|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608015827/https://mobile.twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1269758561720156160|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/06/08/live-updates-dc-protests-george-floyd/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200607231117/https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/06/07/dc-protests-sunday-george-floyd/|archive-date=2020-06-07|url-status=dead|title=Live updates: Faith community takes center stage on 10th day of D.C. protests; Mitt Romney becomes first GOP senator at demonstrations|first=Dana|last=Hedgpeth|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=2020-06-08}} His participation echoes his father's participation in the civil rights movement during the 1960s.{{Cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1269276783590989824|title=Twitter|website=mobile.twitter.com|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608015841/https://mobile.twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1269276783590989824|url-status=live}}{{r|romney.post}}

File:National Guard supports D.C. - 49978472996.jpg on June 6]]

The Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the statue of General Casimir Pulaski were vandalized during the protests in Washington, D.C.{{cite news |title=Iconic Washington, DC, monuments defaced in night of protests |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/500406-famed-washington-dc-monuments-defaced-in-night-of-protests |work=The Hill |date=June 1, 2020 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=June 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107064622/https://thehill.com/homenews/news/500406-famed-washington-dc-monuments-defaced-in-night-of-protests |url-status=live }}

Unknown individuals vandalized the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement. The incident prompted the Indian Embassy to register a complaint with law enforcement agencies. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the Indian Ambassador to the United States called the vandalism "a crime against humanity".{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=A disgrace, says Trump on Gandhi statue desecration|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/a-disgrace-says-trump-on-gandhi-statue-desecration-96868|access-date=June 11, 2020|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en|archive-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020061931/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/a-disgrace-says-trump-on-gandhi-statue-desecration-96868|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=June 9, 2020|title=Gandhi statue vandalisation a crime against humanity: India's Envoy to US|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/india-news/gandhi-statue-vandalisation-a-crime-against-humanity-india-s-envoy-to-us/video-QDjvpyWrtarKvKo857YlLN.html|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-date=May 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511213937/https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/india-news/gandhi-statue-vandalisation-a-crime-against-humanity-india-s-envoy-to-us/video-QDjvpyWrtarKvKo857YlLN.html|url-status=live}} U.S. President Donald Trump called the defacement of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in D.C. a "disgrace".{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=June 9, 2020|title=Defacement of Mahatma Gandhi's statue a 'disgrace', says Trump|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/defacement-of-mahatma-gandhis-statue-a-disgrace-says-trump/article31784402.ece|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=November 10, 2021|access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110170231/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/defacement-of-mahatma-gandhis-statue-a-disgrace-says-trump/article31784402.ece|url-status=live}}

The #dcblackout hoax was an internet hoax shared by millions or tens of millions during the 2020 George Floyd protests. NPR described the hoax as "well funded and well organized".[https://www.npr.org/2020/06/01/867137863/none-of-this-is-true-protests-become-fertile-ground-for-online-disinformation 'None of this is true': protests become fertile ground for online disinformation'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020104212/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/01/867137863/none-of-this-is-true-protests-become-fertile-ground-for-online-disinformation |date=October 20, 2021 }} Morning Edition, NPR, June 2, 2020 The hoax described a US government shutdown of all civil communication channels in the District of Columbia and in some cases was accompanied by images of a burning Washington Monument. A disinformation expert at Clemson University hesitated to attribute the campaign to a specific actor but said it was "a classic Russian move". BBC reported "Some of the most shared posts were sent by users who were not based in Washington DC or even in the US."{{cite news|date=June 2, 2020|title=George Floyd protests: Twitter bans over #DCBlackout hoax|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52891149|archive-date=June 2, 2020|access-date=June 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602212414/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52891149|url-status=live}} Twitter suspended hundreds of accounts spreading the hashtag.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-02/twitter-suspends-hundreds-tweeting-dcblackout-amid-protests |title=Twitter Suspends Hundreds Tweeting #dcblackout During Protests |newspaper=Bloomberg |date=2 June 2020 |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=2020-06-03 |archive-date=November 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109113001/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-02/twitter-suspends-hundreds-tweeting-dcblackout-amid-protests |url-status=live }}

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{{George Floyd protests}}

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