Protesters march through Minneapolis, setting cars on fire following the killing of a black man by police

Minnesota's governor activated the National Guard on Thursday to help restore order following two days of violent protests in Minneapolis over the death of a black man seen in graphic video gasping for breath as a white officer knelt on his neck. Hundreds of protesters filled the streets near the scene of the deadly encounter for a third day.

Several vehicles were set on fire. The Governor ordered Guard troops to assist police as local, state and federal law enforcement officials sought to ease racial tensions sparked by Monday night's fatal arrest of George Floyd. Four city police officers involved in the incident, including the one shown pressing his knee into Floyd's neck as he lay on the ground, were fired from their jobs the next day. The announcement capped two days of unrest in which riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets clashed with rock-throwing protesters who filled the streets in an outpouring of rage over Floyd's death. Floyd was reportedly suspected of trying to pass counterfeit money when police took him into custody.