Australia: Brisbane, Townsville demos in wake of Floyd death

Black Lives Matter protests across Australia on Saturday proceeded mostly peacefully as thousands of demonstrators honored the memory of George Floyd and protested the deaths of indigenous Australians in custody.

In Brisbane, the Queensland state capital, organizers said about 30,000 people gathered, forcing police to close down two major streets.

The rally appeared orderly as police handed out masks to protesters and other officials provided hand sanitizer.

The large crowd later marched to a local police precinct, some chanting "no justice, no peace".

Elsewhere in Queensland, hundreds gathered in Toowoomba and Townsville to protest.

Floyd, a black man, died in handcuffs while a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck even after he pleaded for air and stopped moving.