The state of Mississippi announced Wednesday that 400 members of the Mississippi National Guard have been sent to Washington, D.C., to provide support to local law enforcement agencies as they face continuing protests over the death of George Floyd.

Floyd died last week while in police custody as a Minneapolis police officer held a knee to Floyd’s next for several minutes as Floyd cried for help. The horrible scene was captured on video and the police officers involved have been arrested.

The incident has sparked protests, some violent, across the country.

The Mississippi soldiers are reportedly part of a larger group of guard soldiers from several states being deployed to the District of Columbia.