TWENTY-THREE people have been arrested during a Black Lives Matter protest at the US Embassy in London as fury mounts over the death of George Floyd.

The Met Police confirmed the people were arrested during the protest on suspicion of a number of offences – including assaults on officers.

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It came as hundreds of activists gathered in the capital holding placards reading “racism has no place” and “no justice, no peace”.

Mr Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck in a now infamous video.

Protests have occurred in a number of US cities as activists clashed with police – with the demos now spreading to the UK.

In a statement, the Met Police said: “The arrests vary in offences from possession of an offensive weapon to assault on police, obstructing a public carriageway to breaches of Covid legislation.”

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It added those arrested were between the ages of 17 and 25.

Pictures show protesters being led away by cops today, while videos show scuffles between police and demonstrators.

In one clip, a group of police can be seen shouting “get back” while shoving a number of protesters before a traffic cone is hurled.

However, the protests were largely peaceful as many wore face masks as they stood in solidarity with Black Lives Matter marches taking place across the world.

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Placards waved by the demonstrators echoed the final words of Mr Floyd as he gasped “I can’t breathe”.

Anger is growing as demonstrations were also seen today in countries such as France, Germany and Denmark – as well as continuing in the US.

Mr Floyd’s death has renewed the focus on allegations of racism and police brutality in the US and across the globe.

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Meanwhile, footage showed protesters taking a knee for the 46-year-old in a move made famous by American football player Colin Kaepernick.Kaepernick famously knelt for Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott following their 2016 deaths at the hands of US police officers.

Other raised their fists in the air as they yelled “no justice, no peace” as they took a stand for Mr Floyd.

The protest started in Trafalgar Square before making its way across Westminster to the US Embassy in London.

Aerial shots showed hundreds of activists marching to the building flanked by police cars along the side of the road.

Other protests also took place across the UK – including in Manchester and Cardiff.

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Reverend Sally Hitchiner, associate vicar at St Martin-in-the-Fields church on Trafalgar Square, said she could see hundreds gathered for the protest from her workplace.She said: “I’m very sympathetic to the issue but also surprised to see the strength of emotion that has gathered people together.

“It’s showing there are people in the UK who care passionately about the situation in the US.

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“Clearly they’re not following lockdown and social distancing, but I think there’s a huge amount of passion there and that’s overriding their concerns.

“It’s an issue that requires passion but at the same time there’s a huge amount of risk in what they’re doing.”

She said police appeared to be moving the crowd on from the square by early afternoon.

Tens of thousands of people have joined nightly protests across the US since the death, with at least 1,600 people arrested in 22 cities as some demonstrations descended into violence.

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Police officer Derek Chauvin has been sacked and charged with third-degree murder following Mr Floyd’s death.

Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said video footage of Mr Floyd’s death was “very distressing”.

He declined to comment on US President Donald Trump’s response to the widespread protests.

Trump has been criticised after warning on Twitter that “looting leads to shooting”.

He later attempted to clarify his words by further tweeting on Friday: “Looting leads to shooting, and that’s why a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Wednesday night – or look at what just happened in Louisville with 7 people shot.

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“I don’t want this to happen, and that’s what the expression put out last night means.”

Mr Raab told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “I’m not going to start commenting on the commentary or indeed the press statements that other world leaders make, or indeed the US president.

“What we do know is that the lead suspect has now been charged with murder, there is a federal review and we want to see de-escalation of all of those tensions and American come together.”

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Video of Mr Floyd’s death has been viewed millions of times and has shocked the world.

In the clip, Mr Floyd is seen pinned to the ground by Chauvin, who has a knee across his neck.

Chauvin was detaining the 46-year-old on suspicion of forgery.

Mr Floyd is repeatedly heard saying he cannot not breathe, shouting “please, please” and “mama, mama”.

He then goes silent and appears to go limp as Chauvin continues to press his knee onto his neck.

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The dad-of-six – described as a “gentle giant” by his family – is then taken away by paramedics and was later pronounced dead.

Protests and outrage quickly took hold – which decided into widespread violence and destruction in Minneapolis, leading to the deployment of the National Guard and imposition of a curfew.

Four days later Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

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Mr Floyd’s family welcomed the arrest, but had hoped for a more serious charge.

They also wanted the other three officers involved – Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng – arrested as they failed to intervene.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said more charges were possible – and the investigation into the other three continues.

All four officers were fired from the force.

Chauvin allegedly disregarded the concerns of another officer, who wanted to roll Mr Floyd onto his side, according to the criminal complaint.

The papers also said that an autopsy revealed nothing to support strangulation as the cause of death – instead blaming underlying health conditions.

Mr Floyd’s family are now seeking an independent autopsy, saying that the health problems cited in the official report are “an illusion”.

Chauvin is reportedly “effectively on suicide watch”, while video today showed New York cops driving their cruisers into a crowd of protesters as violence continues.

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Anger erupts at protesters over the death of George Floyd

TWENTY-THREE people have been arrested during a Black Lives Matter protest at the US Embassy in London as fury mounts over the death of George Floyd.

The Met Police confirmed the people were arrested during the protest on suspicion of a number of offences – including assaults on officers.

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It came as hundreds of activists gathered in the capital holding placards reading “racism has no place” and “no justice, no peace”.

Mr Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck in a now infamous video.

Protests have occurred in a number of US cities as activists clashed with police – with the demos now spreading to the UK.

In a statement, the Met Police said: “The arrests vary in offences from possession of an offensive weapon to assault on police, obstructing a public carriageway to breaches of Covid legislation.”

It added those arrested were between the ages of 17 and 25.

Pictures show protesters being led away by cops today, while videos show scuffles between police and demonstrators.

In one clip, a group of police can be seen shouting “get back” while shoving a number of protesters before a traffic cone is hurled.

However, the protests were largely peaceful as many wore face masks as they stood in solidarity with Black Lives Matter marches taking place across the world.

Placards waved by the demonstrators echoed the final words of Mr Floyd as he gasped “I can’t breathe”.

Anger is growing as demonstrations were also seen today in countries such as France, Germany and Denmark – as well as continuing in the US.

Mr Floyd’s death has renewed the focus on allegations of racism and police brutality in the US and across the globe.

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Meanwhile, footage showed protesters taking a knee for the 46-year-old in a move made famous by American football player Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick famously knelt for Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott following their 2016 deaths at the hands of US police officers.

Other raised their fists in the air as they yelled “no justice, no peace” as they took a stand for Mr Floyd.

The protest started in Trafalgar Square before making its way across Westminster to the US Embassy in London.

Aerial shots showed hundreds of activists marching to the building flanked by police cars along the side of the road.

Other protests also took place across the UK – including in Manchester and Cardiff.

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Reverend Sally Hitchiner, associate vicar at St Martin-in-the-Fields church on Trafalgar Square, said she could see hundreds gathered for the protest from her workplace.

She said: “I’m very sympathetic to the issue but also surprised to see the strength of emotion that has gathered people together.

“It’s showing there are people in the UK who care passionately about the situation in the US.

“Clearly they’re not following lockdown and social distancing, but I think there’s a huge amount of passion there and that’s overriding their concerns.

“It’s an issue that requires passion but at the same time there’s a huge amount of risk in what they’re doing.”

She said police appeared to be moving the crowd on from the square by early afternoon.

Tens of thousands of people have joined nightly protests across the US since the death, with at least 1,600 people arrested in 22 cities as some demonstrations descended into violence.

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Police officer Derek Chauvin has been sacked and charged with third-degree murder following Mr Floyd’s death.

Earlier on Sunday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said video footage of Mr Floyd’s death was “very distressing”.

He declined to comment on US President Donald Trump’s response to the widespread protests.

Trump has been criticised after warning on Twitter that “looting leads to shooting”.

He later attempted to clarify his words by further tweeting on Friday: “Looting leads to shooting, and that’s why a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Wednesday night – or look at what just happened in Louisville with 7 people shot.

“I don’t want this to happen, and that’s what the expression put out last night means.”

Mr Raab told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “I’m not going to start commenting on the commentary or indeed the press statements that other world leaders make, or indeed the US president.

“What we do know is that the lead suspect has now been charged with murder, there is a federal review and we want to see de-escalation of all of those tensions and American come together.”

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Video of Mr Floyd’s death has been viewed millions of times and has shocked the world.

In the clip, Mr Floyd is seen pinned to the ground by Chauvin, who has a knee across his neck.

Chauvin was detaining the 46-year-old on suspicion of forgery.

Mr Floyd is repeatedly heard saying he cannot not breathe, shouting “please, please” and “mama, mama”.

He then goes silent and appears to go limp as Chauvin continues to press his knee onto his neck.

The dad-of-six – described as a “gentle giant” by his family – is then taken away by paramedics and was later pronounced dead.

Protests and outrage quickly took hold – which decided into widespread violence and destruction in Minneapolis, leading to the deployment of the National Guard and imposition of a curfew.

Four days later Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

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Mr Floyd’s family welcomed the arrest, but had hoped for a more serious charge.

They also wanted the other three officers involved – Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng – arrested as they failed to intervene.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said more charges were possible – and the investigation into the other three continues.

All four officers were fired from the force.

Chauvin allegedly disregarded the concerns of another officer, who wanted to roll Mr Floyd onto his side, according to the criminal complaint.

The papers also said that an autopsy revealed nothing to support strangulation as the cause of death – instead blaming underlying health conditions.

Mr Floyd’s family are now seeking an independent autopsy, saying that the health problems cited in the official report are “an illusion”.

Chauvin is reportedly “effectively on suicide watch”, while video today showed New York cops driving their cruisers into a crowd of protesters as violence continues.

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Anger erupts at protesters over the death of George Floyd

The man charged with attempted murder in the early-morning shooting of two people at the Syracuse Regional Transportation Center was assaulted in 2014 by former New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez while the two were in jail.

Hernandez, who was convicted of murder, died of an apparent suicide in April 2017.

The assault occurred at the Bristol County House of Correction in Dartmouth in February 2014. Hernandez was indicted on charges of assault and battery in connection with the incident, according to media reports.

Booker would not testify in the case, as his lawyer said he didn’t want to be a rat, according to a report in The Herald News.

A man with the same name and age was charged Sunday morning in the Syracuse shooting.

Sgt. Jon A. Seeber, speaking for the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed the mug shot of suspect Andrew Booker, 31, of 6 Bartlett Lane, East Wareham, MA is the same person pictured in media reports of the Hernandez jail incident.

The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office does not release mug shots.

Booker, 31, is scheduled to be arraigned later today in connection with the shooting. Booker is charged with two counts of attempted murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Fitzpatrick said Sunday morning. Booker had an illegal handgun, Fitzpatrick said.

Booker pointed his gun, aimed and fired at a person who fled, but the gun misfired, Fitzpatrick said. Booker then rechecked his gun, chambered a round and fired, possibly at the fleeing person, the DA said. Instead, the shot hit a passenger in the leg, who has since been treated and released from the hospital, he said.

Booker then fired another round, striking a security guard in the midsection, Fitzpatrick said. The guard was transported to a Syracuse hospital, and is expected to survive. The guard has not been identified.

Booker was still armed when police arrived, Fitzpatrick said. He surrendered to police after a sheriff’s deputy fired at him and missed, the DA said.

Booker, who arrived on a bus at the transportation center early Sunday, has a criminal record in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Fitzpatrick said.

According to TMZ, Aaron Hernandez struck a fellow inmate – Andrew Booker then age 25 – in 2014 after a verbal dispute at the jail. According to the report, Booker had been arrested by a police gang unit in September 2014 with 16 bags of cocaine and a loaded gun in his waistband.

Booker allegedly exchanged words with Hernandez before the two men later came across each other in a hallway in the unit, according to the report. Booker was handcuffed, while Hernandez was not. Hernandez was charged with assault and battery in connection with the incident, according to a report in the Sun-Chronicle.

That report has a mug shot of Booker which matches the photo of Booker charged in Syracuse today, Seeber said.

Another photograph also appears in a March 21 media report in which Booker, same age and address, was charged with breaking and entering into a building.

Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com

By Jay R. Jordan, jjordan@hcnonline.com

Updated 12:33 pm, Tuesday, January 9, 2018

A club softball coach in The Woodlands is accused of sexually assaulting one of his 14-year-old players, court records show.

Juan Manuel Corona, 44, was arrested Thursday after a days-long investigation. One of Corona’s players came forward on Jan. 2 and told detectives with the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office that the coach sexually assaulted her before practice one day in May and at least on two other occasions in 2017 after that.

The Constable’s Office is holding a 3 p.m. press conference regarding Corona’s arrest.

During the May encounter, the girl told detectives Corona picked her up from her Woodlands-area junior high school for a private softball lesson. When Corona parked in the softball field parking lot, the girl told him about some soreness in her leg, so Corona told her “let me see what I can do,” according to court documents.

Corona moved toward the girl and began rubbing her leg. He then sexually assaulted her, according to court documents, despite the girl repeatedly telling him “no.”

Immediately after the assault, court documents state Corona told her not to tell anyone or “bad things would happen to her.” He also told her she would “be forced to do things she didn’t want to do” if she told anyone.

During the summer break, the girl told detectives Corona did not assault her because she usually had a friend or other family member with her during the practices. But at the beginning of the following semester, Corona allegedly assaulted her twice more in the same way he did before – in the softball field parking lot before their private lesson.

During each of the three instances, Corona allegedly threatened her not to tell anyone. The girl and one of her friends, who also took lessons from Corona, told detectives he purchased alcohol for them at least once.

Corona is sitting in the Montgomery County Jail on $300,000 worth of bonds. He was charged with three second-degree felony counts of sexual assault of a child, each of which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.

It is unclear what organization Corona worked with.