12:30 A.M.
Las Vegas police are still dealing with a few protesters in the downtown area of Las Vegas. Lt. Frank Hummel confirmed that protesters set a police SUV on fire near 9th Street and Carson Avenue.
Police also responded to an incident near the Westgate hotel-casino near Paradise Road and Sahara Avenue. A large group of people were in the area and police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd.
10:45 P.M.
Las Vegas police say that there are approximately 1,500 to 2,000 protesters in the downtown area. An unknown number of people have been arrested, according to Lt. Frank Humel.
Humel also says that protesters have vandalized cars, broke windows, and have thrown objects, including Molotov cocktails. Because of that, police say it was necessary to deploy tear gas. There was also a report of looting by approximately 50 people at an EZ Pawn store in the downtown area.
People have broken into and started looting a pawnshop. The man who spoke about peaceful protest in a video I uploaded earlier told me and others to leave, he is done. pic.twitter.com/XcKRymnEOn
— Ryan Tisminezky (@tisminezky) May 31, 2020
10:15 P.M.
There are reports on social media that Las Vegas police have released tear gas in downtown Las Vegas. 13 Action News crews on the ground are also reporting that they believe tear gas has been released. People can be seen running from the scene of deployment.
Tear gas... crowds running away @KTNV pic.twitter.com/Yd4tlv6WjY
— Kalyna Astrinos (@KalynaAstrinos) May 31, 2020
9:57 P.M.
There are still many protesters in the downtown area. 13 Action News reporters on the scene say they have observed a few arrests. Police have not released any official information about arrests or number of protesters in downtown Las Vegas.
Cops are now at the middle of Fremont Street. They keep pushing protesters away. We have already run away 3-4, due to this advancement and some things been thrown. Now they’re still chanting “Black Lives Matter”. Arrests have been made already. #ktnv #blm #GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/tERFeTbKp0
— Astrid Méndez (@astridmendeztv) May 31, 2020
9:40 P.M.
Someone has put Black Lives Matter in lights on the side of Lone Mountain in Las Vegas.
9:19 P.M
The protest has been relatively peaceful. Just within the last 15-20 minutes, people have begun throwing water bottles occasionally at police officers near the Downtown Container Park. Other people in the crowd are yelling at the people throwing bottles and telling them to stop.
9:05 P.M.
Many of the protesters have now moved away from the entrance of the Fremont Street Experience. They are currently headed towards the Regional Justice Center again. There have been sightings of people in military-style clothing with real or fake guns in the crowd.
8:55 P.M.
Protesters now seem to be gathering at the entrance of the Fremont Street Experience. Las Vegas police officers are lined up behind the barricade to prevent people from breaching the barricade. So far there are no major signs of trouble.
WATCH LIVESTREAM FROM CHOPPER 13
8:05 P.M.
Hundreds of people are still protesting in downtown Las Vegas. The protest began at the Downtown Container Park on East Fremont Street. From there, protesters marched down Fremont to Las Vegas Boulevard and headed to the Regional Justice Center and Clark County Detention Center. Once they reached CCDC, they turned back towards Fremont Street.
“No justice, no peace”, “Say its name: George Floyd”, “Black lives matter”, “Hands up, don’t shoot” are some chants protesters are saying tonight in Fremont Street. Hundreds are here, carrying signs. We’re live at @Ktnv #tvreporter #lasvegas #protesters #GeorgeFloydprotest #blm pic.twitter.com/k4OrfvWLxd
— Astrid Méndez (@astridmendeztv) May 31, 2020
Crowd here chanting “I can’t breathe.” @KTNV #georgefloyd pic.twitter.com/lWfuzadapr
— Kalyna Astrinos (@KalynaAstrinos) May 31, 2020
7:44 P.M.
The protesters are on the move and appear to be marching to the Regional Justice Center on Lewis Avenue in downtown Las Vegas. So far, there are still no reports of major incidents. The protest has been relatively peaceful. Many people are wearing masks and carrying signs.
Thousands of protesters take to the streets of downtown #LasVegas tonight. #GeorgeFloydProtests pic.twitter.com/M3s96k0Kze
— KTNV Action News (@KTNV) May 31, 2020
People are still showing up at Container Park while hundreds keep marching on Fremont Street for tonight’s George Flint’s protest in Las Vegas. Police is around. #tvreporter #ktnv #lasvegas #GeorgeFloydProtests #nevada #protesters #BlacklivesMaters pic.twitter.com/fDa3eKLSuP
— Astrid Méndez (@astridmendeztv) May 31, 2020
Black lives matter protest happening now at Container Park in response to the death of George Floyd. It is peaceful as hundreds are out here with their signs. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/ove91zL7in
— Kalyna Astrinos (@KalynaAstrinos) May 31, 2020
7 P.M.
The crowd continues to grow near Downtown Container Park on East Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. Chopper 13 is flying above the protest and 13 Action News has crews on the ground.
Crowds still growing! Looks like hundreds of people. @LVMPD is also overhead monitoring the protest @KTNV pic.twitter.com/zDvdSG7RaT
— Austin Carter (@AustinKTNV) May 31, 2020
6:30 P.M.
Protesters are starting to gather near the Downtown Container Park.
More protestors are showing up at Container Park now.
Many have signs that say “Black Lives Matter” and “I can’t breathe” #GeorgeFloyd @KTNV pic.twitter.com/Q7IvWa7yaG
— Austin Carter (@AustinKTNV) May 31, 2020
5 P.M.
Another round of protests is planned for Saturday night. The protests are scheduled to begin around 7 p.m. near city hall and the Downtown Container Park.
Before the protests, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Sheriff Joe Lombardo and several community leaders called for peace during a press conference at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters.
Bars and restaurants in downtown Las Vegas are planning to close early because of the protests.
The Downtown Container Park told 13 Action News that it is also planning to close early.
Mayor Goodman and local community leaders speak about latest protest related to George Floyd’s death and current situation in Las Vegas. This is happening at LV Metro Headquarters. Live at @KTNV now. #tvreporter #livetv #lasvegas #nevada #protests @CityOfLasVegas #GeorgeFlyod pic.twitter.com/4PytShRyLq
— Astrid Méndez (@astridmendeztv) May 31, 2020
A protest on Friday ended with dozens arrested, including two photojournalists, and several injured police officers. READ THE STORY.
That protest began peacefully on Friday afternoon near the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood on the Las Vegas Boulevard. It did not end until many hours later.
There was also a peaceful protest on Thursday night on the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard.
Protesters are upset about the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. There have been several large protests and riots over the last few days in Minneapolis and other large cities around the United States.
One police officer is facing a murder charge and 3 other officers have been fired for their roles in the incident.
