George Floyd: Protesters clash with White House security forces outside new fence
Protesters have clashed with White House security staff after they faced each other over a new security fence.
The fence was built to keep Black Lives Matters demonstrators and rioters at bay hours after US President Donald Trump freely walked Washington, D.C.'s streets and declared himself an "ally of all peaceful protesters".
But its erection triggered angry scenes around the barricade as the demonstrators briefly faced off with National Guard troops and US military police.
A group about 30 demonstrators deep yelled at the security details behind the fence before walking off to another demonstration in central Washington.
Angry crowds gathered outside the new White House security fence. AP
Tear gas canisters were fired to disperse them.
"An interesting moment a little while ago, a lot of white American were protesters banging on the fence," 9News US correspondent Amelia Adams told Today from the scene.
"Another white American said, 'Any white people who are trying to push this fence over and trying to do it, stop it, because you are antagonising the police and the first people they will target are the black people we are here to protect and speak for.'
"I guess it goes to show the dynamic on the security fence.
Senior Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren joined protesters outside the White House. AP
"There is a lot of anger about President Trump's words and actions yesterday when he stood outside the church holding a Bible.
"That has fuelled the sense for many protesters they aren't being heard and they can't get their voices through the fence and across to the people in the White House."
Demonstrators chanted 'Who are you protecting' to security staff as they built the new fence. AP
A protester hangs the US flag from the new security fence built around the White House. AP
The streets around the White House complex were shut Tuesday morning, guarded by a mix of Secret Service officers and FBI agents.
Overnight, the dark coloured fence was constructed around Lafayette Park and along 17th St at Pennsylvania Ave, two areas that have been focal points for protests.
Work crews were still at work boarding up businesses in the area and attempting to remove graffiti from federal buildings.
The new fence was built at the focal point of violent protests earlier this week. AP
The security fence was constructed overnight on Monday. AP
Members of police and the US Secret Service stand near Lafayette Park across from the White House, June 2, 2020, in Washington, following protests over the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers. AP
Trump addressed the nation from the Rose Gardens on Monday as protesters outside the White House gates were dispersed with tear gas and flash bangs.
He said in the speech that he was "dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily-armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers" to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults, and destruction of property seen during protests over the death of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis.
READ MORE: Keep up to date with the latest news from the US protests and riots
A 7pm curfew was also announced and has been strictly enforced in Washington, DC.
By 4am, however, 9News' US Correspondent Amelia Adams had reported the new security fence had been erected in preparation for the coming day's protests.
It comes as Trump described some of the actions of protesters across the United States as "domestic terror, the destruction of innocent life and the spilling of innocent blood".
President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Rose Gardens on Tuesday as protesters outside the White House gates were dispersed with tear gas and flash bangs. AP
The President and his entourage then left the White House precinct and walked nearby streets. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
"I want the organisers of this terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail. This includes Antifa and others who are leading instigators of this violence," he said.
The President and his entourage then left the White House precinct and walked nearby streets.
Police begin to clear demonstrators gather as they protest the death of George Floyd near the White House in Washington DC. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Demonstrators kneel in front of a line of police officers during a protest for the death of George Floyd, near the White House in Washington AP
Flanked by police, Mr Trump carried a bible to St John's Church which had been damaged by fire in the riots.
After a moment of silence, Mr Trump said the US nation was "the best in the world" and he pledged to "keep it nice and safe".
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