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Protests after police officer acquitted over fatal shooting of Philando Castile

Philando Castile was killed by officer Jeronimo Yanez, after he was stopped in his car in an incident filmed by his girlfriend.

Jeronimo Yanez (left) and Philando Castile
Image: Jeronimo Yanez (left) has been cleared of the manslaughter of Philando Castile
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Thousands of people have demonstrated after a Minnesota police officer who shot dead a black man during a traffic stop was acquitted of manslaughter.

Motorist Philando Castile was fatally wounded by Jeronimo Yanez after he was stopped in his car in Falcon Heights, St Paul, in 2016.

Mr Castile's girlfriend Diamond Reynolds filmed his dying moments and streamed the footage live on Facebook.

Around 2,000 people marched through the city, blocking traffic and commuter trains after Mr Castile's mother said the verdict proved "the system continues to fail black people".

The incident, one of several deaths of black men and boys shot by US police, sparked outrage and protests in St Paul.

Ms Reynolds, whose video showed 32-year-old Mr Castile covered in blood as an officer pointed his gun at him, said he had been reaching for his licence when he was shot.

Yanez, 29, was charged with second-degree manslaughter - the first time a police officer had been charged with the death of a citizen in Minnesota.

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Thousands turned out to protest over the acquittal of Jeronimo Yanez
Image: Thousands turned out to protest over the acquittal of Jeronimo Yanez

He told the court he feared for his life and said Mr Castile did not follow his orders, which was denied by the prosecution who said he had been courteous and polite.

The jury cleared the policeman of second degree manslaughter and two counts of felony of intentional discharge of a dangerous weapon for endangering the safety of Ms Reynolds and her four-year-old daughter.

The protesters carried signs reading: "Black Lives Matter" and "Blue Lies Matter" and chanting such phrases as "Hands up, don't shoot."

After the verdict, the victim's mother Valerie Castile said: "I'm mad as hell right now. Yes, I am.

Protesters marched down highways bringing traffic to a standstill
Image: Protesters marched down highways bringing traffic to a standstill

"The system continues to fail black people I am so disappointed in the state of Minnesota. My son loved this state, my son loved this city and this city killed my son."

Earl Gray, who was representing officer Yanez, said "justice was done".

He added: "We're very happy. Yanez was innocent. He was just doing his job."

The city of St Anthony police department said Yanez will not be returning to work in the city.