LOS ANGELES: Police have arrested nearly 1,400 people in 17 US cities as protests continue over the death of African-American George Floyd by white police officer.

Floyd, 46, was arrested in Minneapolis neighbourhood Powderhorn for allegedly attempting to use a 20 USD bill in a deli, which an employee identified as counterfeit. He died on Monday after a white police officer kneeled on his neck while he was handcuffed and pinned to the ground. The cop, Derek Chauvin, knelled on his neck for more than eight minutes. Three other police officers also were part of the arrest.

Chauvin was arrested on Friday and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

But the arrest has done little to quell protests across the country. Most have been peaceful. But a few have erupted in violence. Saturday marks the fifth day of the protests.

Curfews have been ordered in 25 cities including Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

The tally of people arrested over the violence stood at 1,383 since Thursday, according to an international news agency, adding the tally could be higher.

In New York, thousands of protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against the killing, setting police vehicles on fire in some areas and several people being arrested through the day.

Videos and photos posted on social media on Saturday showed huge crowds gathering in parts of Manhattan, some even outside the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, in Times Square, Columbus Circle, Queens and areas in Brooklyn and Bronx to protest the killing of Floyd.

In his last moments, Floyd can be heard saying "I can't breathe", which the demonstrators used as a clarion call demanding action against brutality by the police. Protesters shouted the slogans "No justice, no peace" and "Hands up, don't shoot" as they walked the streets. A large vehicle was also set ablaze near the Union Square, according to media reports.