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Third day of George Floyd protests in Columbia goes peacefully all day

The group says they want justice and reforms following the death of a black man in police custody in Minnesota.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A third day of protests took place at the South Carolina State House over the death of George Floyd, a Minnesota man who was killed by police there. 

A few dozen protesters showed up just before 2 p.m. Monday on the grounds of the capitol. They did a "die in" where they lied down on the ground and said "I can't breathe," which Floyd repeatedly said before he lost consciousness and died. 

The group chanted for several hours with slogans such as "no justice, no peace." 

Organizers said they got commitments from city leaders, including Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, to hold meetings to address the protester's concerns. 

The effort was peaceful all day long. Around 7:45 p.m. a citywide curfew went into effect, and when the remaining protesters were told to leave, they complied. 

This came after Saturday and Sunday's protests in Columbia that were largely peaceful but turned violent at times, particularly on Saturday. 

RELATED: Richland Sherif says violence at protests was 'not Columbia'

The events Saturday began with marching and protesting peacefully in the streets near the State House and the Vista. But as the afternoon wore on, there were some pockets of violence, with people items being thrown and several people being hurt.  

Police used tear gas to break up some of the groups. Things continued to escalate when two Columbia police cars were set on fire and windows were broken at multiple businesses in the Vista. 

RELATED: 3 Richland County deputies, 3 Columbia Police officers, 2 firemen injured, assaulted during Saturday conflict

RELATED: Police enforce curfew after Saturday protest

Lott said about 75 people tried to surround the Columbia Police Department headquarters, perhaps with the intent to set fire to it. 

Richland County deputies say bullets were fired at their officers near the Vista. None of them were hit by gunfire. 

Twelve police officers were injured with one Columbia Police officer needed to go to the hospital. 

Lott believes many of the people inciting violence were not local, and came from out of state to cause trouble. 

Investigators are also reviewing hundreds if not thousands of videos of protests given to them and on social media looking to find people who attacked police officers or stole from stores.

RELATED: Man arrested at South Carolina protest was carrying pistol, 70 rounds of ammo

RELATED: 'I Can't Breathe' protest ends with Columbia's 6 p.m. curfew

RELATED: SC governor, state leaders call for peaceful protests

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