Trump withdraws National Guard from Washington amid George Floyd protests across U.S. - Action News
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Trump withdraws National Guard from Washington amid George Floyd protests across U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he's given the order for National Guard troops to begin withdrawing from the nation's capital, saying everything now is "under perfect control."

Floyd's body has arrived in Texas for a final memorial service and funeral

Anti-racism protest in Washington stays peaceful

4 years ago
Duration 1:55
Tens of thousands of protesters marched against anti-black racism and police brutality in Washington on the 12th day of demonstrations after the murder of George Floyd.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he's given the order for National Guard troops to begin withdrawing from the nation's capital, saying everything is "under perfect control."

The District of Columbia government requested some Guard forces last week to assist law enforcement with managing protests after the death of George Floyd.

But Trump ordered thousands more troops and federal law enforcement to the city to "dominate" the streets after some instances of looting and violence.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser last week called on Trump to withdraw National Guard troops that some states sent to the city.

Trump tweeted Sunday that "They will be going home, but can quickly return, if needed."

Demonstrators protest near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. (Maya Alleruzzo/The Associated Press)

At one D.C. hotel,Dozens of National Guard troops from South Carolina were seen checking out and waiting for a bus.

Trump also ordered more than 1,000 active duty troops to be flown to the D.C.-area in reserve, but they have begun returning to their home bases after days of peaceful protests.

Protests across the U.S. and the world were sparked by the May 25 death ofFloyd, an unarmed black man, who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.

Demonstrations across the country Saturday were perhaps the largest one-day mobilization since Floyd's death.

People walk on the words Black Lives Matter painted in bright yellow letters on 16th Street as demonstrators protest near the White House on Sunday. (Maya Alleruzzo/The Associated Press)

The turnout continued around the globe Sunday even as U.S. cities lifted curfews imposed amid last week's spasms of arson, assaults and smash-and-grab raids on businesses.

Recent days of U.S. protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful.

New York City, Chicago curfews lifted

The mayors of New York City and Chicago lifted curfews on Sunday.

New York City's 8 p.m. citywide curfew, its first in decades, had been set to remain in effect through at least Sunday, with the city planning to lift it at the same time it enters the first phase of reopening after more than two months of a coronavirus shutdown.

But Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Sunday morning in a tweet that the curfew will end "effective immediately."

Protesters rally near the edge of Times Square in New York, Sunday, June 7, 2020. New York City lifted the curfew spurred by protests against police brutality ahead of schedule Sunday after a peaceful night, free of the clashes or ransacking of stores that rocked the city days earlier. (Seth Wenig/The Associated Press)

Chicago MayorLori Lightfootlifted the city's 9 p.m. curfew imposed on May 30, and also reopened downtown train stations and allowed full bus service to resume

Access to the Loop was limited to essential workers for days, with bridges over the Chicago River raised and streets blocked. Several hundred Illinois National Guard were brought into Chicago to enforce the limited access.

The mayor announced the lifting of the curfew Sunday on Twitter.

Final memorial for Floyd

Houston's police chief says Floyd's body has arrived in Texas for a final memorial service and funeral.

Police Chief Art Acevedo tweeted early Sunday that Floyd's family also arrived safely. A six-hour viewing for Floyd is planned for Monday in Houston, followed by funeral services and burial Tuesday in the suburb of Pearland.

Previous memorials were held for Floyd in Minneapolis and Raeford, N.C., which is near where he was born.

With files from CBC News

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