In pictures: George Floyd demonstrations in the US and beyond

The US is experiencing some of the biggest outbreaks of civil unrest it has seen in decades, with huge protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in police custody.

Floyd’s death has sparked underlying tensions about the fundamental racial inequalities in the country, with black Americans facing societal disadvantage and unable to access many of the opportunities available to white people.

In cities around the world people have joined in solidarity, gathering in their thousands to demonstrate.

In Boston, Massachusetts, protesters take part in a ‘die-in’, displaying Black Lives Matter placards.

Around the world protesters knelt. This man in New York held up a mask representing Floyd.

In Boston, Massachusetts, these protesters raised their fists for 8 minutes 46 seconds – the length of time a Minneapolis police officer held his knee against Floyd’s neck.

An art installation near the arrest site of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota depicts headstones of people who died while in police custody.

In New York, a woman holds up a placard to demonstrate against the number of people killed by police brutality.

While most gatherings have been peaceful, tensions between police and protesters have been high. In New York, some protesters hit out, throwing red paint at this police vehicle.

Protests have spread beyond the US, with many gathering in cities around the world. This woman holds up a placard as part of demonstrations in Barcelona.

In the UK, thousands of people gathered in cities including London, Manchester, Nottingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh. This umbrella featuring protest messages was displayed outside the US Embassy in London.