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Curfews were in place across nearly 40 American cities on Sunday night and the National Guard was deployed in a dozen states to try to end the most widespread public disorder triggered by racism since the 1960s. Protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd who died after a police officer knelt on his neck during an arrest in Minneapolis.

The former policeman Derek Chauvin - sacked after the incident - is likely to be charged with third degree murder when he appears in court on Monday. Members of Mr Floyd's family have said this case warrants a first degree murder charge.

Protesters have also been invoking the names of Philando Castile, Eric Garner and Walter Scott - other black men who were killed by police. They are also a reminder that prosecution of police officers in the US are often delayed or not forthcoming at all.

Jonathan Smith, the director of the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.

(Photo: Police confront protesters in Manhattan on May 31, 2020 in New York City Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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