A weekend of protest and mourning: George Floyd’s death spurs demonstrations in Texas cities

Texans protested in Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth on Friday night, spurred by the death of a black man named George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd had been a longtime resident of Houston’s Third Ward.

Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody Monday after a white officer kneeled on his neck long past the point when he lost consciousness, according to court documents. That officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired, arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other police officers shown in a now-viral video alongside Chauvin were also fired.

Gov. Greg Abbott and other Texas officials have denounced Floyd’s death and the Minneapolis police officers’ conduct.

“It should not have happened,” Abbott said. “Obviously, from everything I have seen, this is a consequence of poor police work.”

Photographer Pu Ying Huang was in Houston on Friday to document the protests there.

First: John Morrison, a community activist, spoke at a Black Lives Matter rally for George Floyd at Houston City Hall. Last: Protesters gathered at the Houston rally. Floyd, a former Houston resident, died after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck. Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune

Protesters gathered at Houston City Hall in memory of George Floyd, an African American man who was killed during an arres... — Protesters gathered Friday at Houston City Hall in memory of George Floyd, a black man who was killed during an arrest by a white police officer in Minneapolis. Photo credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune

First: Alea Rolison wore a mask that read, “I can’t breathe,” at a Houston rally. Last: Protestors marched at a rally for George Floyd in Houston. Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo responds to demonstrators about police accountability at a rally for George Floyd at Hous... — Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo responded to demonstrators Friday at a rally for George Floyd at Houston City Hall. He spoke about police accountability. Photo credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune

In Dallas, photographer Shelby Tauber captured scenes from what organizers described as a march and solidarity rally for Floyd and for Breonna Taylor. The march started outside the downtown police headquarters.

First: Dallas Police officers stand in a cloud of tear gas and smoke after launching it at protesters during a march in memory of George Floyd in Dallas. Last: Protesters flee as Dallas police officers launch tear gas during a confrontation at a rally for George Floyd on May 29, 2020. Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune

Protesters take a knee as Dominique Alexander speaks at a rally in memory of the death of George Floyd. May 29, 2020. — Protesters take a knee as Dallas activist Dominique Alexander speaks at a rally in memory of the death of George Floyd. May 29, 2020. | by Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune Photo credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune

A protester covered in milk livestreams himself while Dallas Police tactical officers fire rounds of tear gas during a mar... — Photo credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune

First: Protesters marched in Dallas in memory of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor on May 29, 2019. Last: Protesters confront a line of Dallas police officers at a march for George Floyd in Dallas. Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune