Across the US, cheers fill city streets after Derek Chauvin is convicted in the death of George Floyd Christal Hayes, USA TODAY Replay Video UP NEXT The largely peaceful demonstrations came as cities across the country prepared for possible violence that cropped up sporadically in last year's protests after Floyd's death, a landmark incident that sparked a reckoning in the U.S. over racial inequities and police brutality. Some cities had already activated the National Guard as the Chauvin verdict loomed; others declared states of emergency. Chauvin, who is white, was found guilty by a jury on all three charges in the death of Floyd, who is Black. He was convicted of second- and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He could face decades in prison at his sentencing in eight weeks; at a minimum as a first offender, he likely faces 12.5 years. His lawyers are likely to appeal the verdict.