NEW YORK, February 6. /TASS/. The authorities of the US state of Minnesota will deploy National Guard to maintain public order during trials of police officers, involved in the death of George Floyd last May, says a statement published by the Minnesota governor’s website.

According to the statement, Governor Tim Walz received this request from the administration of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and nearby communities, who think that the upcoming trial "raised the potential of civil unrest."

According to the local Fox-8 TV channel, the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin is scheduled to begin on March 8. Three other officers who took part in Floyd’s detention are expected to stand trial in August.

Mass protests and riots sparked in many US states following the death of African-American George Floyd. He died in hospital after a police officer used a choke hold during his arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020.

The policeman in question, Derek Chauvin, has been charged with second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter. The three other officers present at the scene - J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao - were arrested as well and are facing charges of criminal negligence, aiding and abetting unintentional second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.