American cities were a tinder box - the death of George Floyd the spark to set them alight.
President Trump, the man who should be Consoler-in-Chief, showed up with a can of petrol.
Mr Floyd's death came weeks into the lockdown for a pandemic which has killed more than 100,000 Americans and put 40 million out of work.
A demonstrator holding a US flag kneels in front of the police at the Anaheim City Hall in Anaheim, California, during a peaceful protest over the death of George Floyd. AFP
President Donald Trump walks between lines of riot police in Lafayette Park across the White House in Washington after visiting St John's Church for a photo opportunity during the ongoing protests over racial inequality in the wake of the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police. Reuters
Officers with the New York Police Department render aide to a detained suspected looter in Manhattan during protests over the Minnesota arrest of George Floyd, who later died in police custody, in New York City. EPA
US Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden poses for a picture with pastor of the Bethel AME Church, Rev Dr Silvester S. Beaman and attendees during a visit to the Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, Delaware, US. Reuters
Activists hold placards in the middle of Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California over the death of George Floyd. AFP
Protesters rally against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd on the Vine Expressway, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reuters
National Guard members assist the Philadelphia Police Department in controlling the area near City Hall and the Municipal Services Building during a march by protesters against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reuters
Protesters march against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reuters
A demonstrator holds her hands up while she kneels in front of the Police at the Anaheim City Hall in Anaheim, California, during a peaceful protest over the death of George Floyd. AFP
Protesters perform a mass 'die-in' in front of the Ohio Statehouse at the exact time George Floyd died on May 25 in Minneapolis police custody in Columbus, Ohio. Getty Images
Protesters perform a mass 'die-in' in front of the Ohio Statehouse at the exact time George Floyd died on May 25 in Minneapolis police custody in Columbus, Ohio. Getty
People being chased by police run past pedestrians near Union Square, in New York. AP Photo
Members of the Guardian Angels, a volunteer organisation of unarmed citizens which began in the late 1970s, stand guard near looted stores during a night of protests and vandalism over the death of George Floyd, in New York City. Getty
Natasha Robinson passes her one-year-old son Azrael Hammick up to Master Sgt Acie Matthews Jr. during a protest at the at the Minnesota state Capitol in St Paul, during protests over the death of George Floyd, who died May 25 after being restrained by Minneapolis police. AP
Protesters march through central Sacramento, California. in memory of George Floyd. AP Photo
Protesters hold their hands up and try to steady themselves as a military helicopter flies low pushing a strong vertical down wash of air on to the crowd during a demonstration over the death of George Floyd. AFP