'Where are you?': Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson gave a passionate 8-minute speech calling out Trump for his response to the George Floyd protests

• Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has called out US President Donald Trump over what the actor says is a lack of leadership during the George Floyd protests.
• "Where are you?" Johnson said in a passionate eight-minute speech on Instagram. "Where is our leader at this time, at this time when our country is down on its knees begging?"
• Trump has been accused of hiding from protesters, having retreated to a White House security bunker on Friday, while he has also threatened military intervention.
• "There is military force that has been deployed on our own people. Looters? Yes. Criminals? Absolutely," Johnson continued. "But on protesters, who are begging and pleading?"

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has called out President Donald Trump for his response to the George Floyd protests, asking, "Where are you?"

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died May 25 after an arrest in which a white police officer named Derek Chauvin, since charged with second-degree murder, knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

The incident has sparked largely peaceful protests but also looting and vandalism across the US, against which Trump has been combative, threatening military intervention. US law enforcement has been criticized for responding violently, including with tear gas, even to peaceful protests.

Trump has also been accused of hiding from the protesters, having retreated to a White House security bunker during demonstrations on Friday.

"Where are you? Where is our leader?" Johnson said. "Where is our leader at this time, at this time when our country is down on its knees begging, pleading, hurt, angry, frustrated, in pain? Begging and pleading with its arms out, just wanting to be heard.

"Where are you? Where is our compassionate leader who is going to step up to our country, who is down on its knees?"

Johnson continued: "There is military force that has been deployed on our own people. Looters? Yes. Criminals? Absolutely. But on protesters, who are begging and pleading? On protesters who are in pain? You know, you would be surprised how people in pain would respond when you say to them, 'I care about you.' When you say to them, 'I'm listening to you.'"

The actor and former WWE star went on to call on Trump to take "full accountability" in tackling systemic racism in the US, while he also thanked protesters across the world for standing for equality.

"The process to change has already begun. You can feel it," he said. "You guys stay strong."

• Read more:
• LeBron James slammed 2 women who posed for photos near stores damaged in the George Floyd protests: 'Anything for clout!'
• English MLS star Nedum Onuoha says he never feels '100% safe' in the US because the police could read him wrong and kill him at any moment
• Lewis Hamilton says he is 'overcome with rage' at the death of George Floyd, and that he is sick of people of color being 'born guilty'