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Tear gas fired, police cars burn during protests in downtown Miami

Protests in death of George Floyd escalate
Police hold line as tear gas canister thrown back at them, May 30
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Police hold the line as a tear gas canister thrown back by protesters smokes during a demonstration next to the city of Miami Police Department, Saturday, May 30, 2020, in downtown Miami. Protests were held throughout the country over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25.
Police hold line as tear gas canister thrown back at them, May 30
Posted at 9:57 PM, May 30, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-31 00:33:26-04

MIAMI — Protests in downtown Miami heated up Saturday night after demonstrators began throwing objects at police and setting cars on fire.

The protests over the death of George Floyd started peacefully but turned once they made way their way onto Interstate 95, shutting down traffic for hours.

Police began firing tear gas into a crowd gathered outside the Miami Police Department.

Protester kicks tear gas canister back at police in Miami, May 30
A protester kicks back a tear gas canister during a demonstration next to the city of Miami Police Department, Saturday, May 30, 2020, in downtown Miami. Protests were held throughout the country over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez issued a countywide curfew for 10 p.m.

Protesters could be seen throwing rocks and setting police cruisers on fire.

2 Miami police cars burn during protests, May 30
Two police cars burn during a demonstration next to the city of Miami Police Department, Saturday, May 30, 2020, in downtown Miami. Protests were held throughout the country over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25.

Police officers in riot gear stood in formation as protesters threw rocks and kicked tear gas canisters at them.

Protester stands in front of line of police in Miami, May 30
A lone protester confronts a line of police during a demonstration next to the city of Miami Police Department, Saturday, May 30, 2020, in downtown Miami. Protests were held throughout the country over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25.

There were also reports of looting at Bayside Marketplace along Biscayne Boulevard.

The protest started peacefully near the Torch of Friendship earlier in the day.

Protesters hold signs at Torch of Freedom in downtown Miami, May 30
Protesters chant during a demonstration at the Torch of Friendship, Saturday, May 30, 2020, in downtown Miami.

Elsewhere in Florida, protesters in Tampa smashed store windows and set a gas station on fire Saturday night after a peaceful demonstration during the day.

In Tallahassee, a pickup truck drove through a crowd of protesters, sending some running and screaming as the vehicle stopped and started and at one point had a person on its hood, police said, but no serious injuries were reported.

Police handcuffed the driver but did not release his name or say whether he would face charges.

The tense protests are one of several throughout the country.

Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.