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Hundreds of protesters gathered at the intersection where George Floyd was killed after a forceful encounter with police ... and things got pretty tense.

The protest began Tuesday night in Minneapolis, with people lining the streets carrying banners reading "KKKops" "Again?" "Black Lives Matter" and "Justice for George."

Similar chants of "I can't breathe" and "No Justice, No Peace" broke out among the demonstrators, who eventually marched more than 2 miles to a city police precinct ... with some causing damage along the way.

Things escalated to a point where protesters were met by cops in riot gear, who fired tear gas canisters and projectiles into the crowd. Some kicked the canisters back toward police, and made a makeshift barricade of shopping carts at a Target across the street from the station.

Though steady rain lessened the crowd, skirmishes lasted late into the night.

As we reported ... Floyd died shortly after officers arrested him for an alleged forgery in progress. Footage of the incident shows one cop pressing his knee down on George's neck for several minutes -- ignoring his pleas that he couldn't breathe -- while witnesses shouted that he was being killed.

Floyd's family lawyer, Ben Crump, told us the violent incident -- along with other similar stories recently -- has black people believing it's "open season" on them in America right now.

Clearly, the protesters in Minneapolis want to put a stop to it.

The Missouri bar, where a gaggle of pool partiers packed in like sardines over the holiday, says it's NOT going to stop hosting aqua ragers ... no matter how much heat they take for it.

Andy Prewitt's a manager at Backwater Jack's -- where dozens of people gathered for a massive pool party in Lake of the Ozarks -- and he tells TMZ the good times must roll on into summer ... meaning they're not planning to ax any future get-togethers like this.

We're told the reason Backwater Jack's is pressing forward is because, well, it's a matter of financial survival. Prewitt says while the staff is concerned about public health, they're equally worried about making ends meet and keeping the business afloat. So, they'll do what they must.

ICYMI ... upwards of 1,500 heads flocked into BJ's on Saturday for a daytime shindig in their shallow pool -- and funny enough, we're told management never considered shutting it down ... despite the fact the event got a tsk-tsk scolding from Missouri officials.

One other thing ... Prewitt goes on to tell us he feels like Backwater is being unfairly singled out -- as he claims other bars in the immediate area were equally as busy. And, besides, the manager says they tried their best to be quarantine-friendly, checking temps when folks walked in and giving them hand sanitizer to use on themselves. Uh ... thanks?

In any case, Prewitt says they've got 2 more big blowouts like this planned through summer, which they've appropriately dubbed No Ducks Given parties.

"My boy was doing what he was supposed to be doing and ya'll go and kill my brother, man."

Stephen Jackson spent Tuesday emotionally reflecting on his time with George Floyd -- a man the former NBA star says he called "twin" -- and he's now demanding justice for the 46-year-old after officers appeared to have killed him Monday.

Jackson says he spent his childhood in the same Houston, Texas circles as Floyd ... and claims the two were so close, he had just sent the guy clothes days before his death this week.

"Floyd was my brother," Jackson said. "We called each other twins, bruh. Everybody knows me and Floyd called each other twins. My brother was only out there in Minnesota, he was trying to change his life."

42-year-old Jackson says he's now on his way to Minnesota ... and he's promising to help find justice for George after a cop pinned him down with a knee to the neck and wouldn't let go.

"I can't let this ride, dawg," Jackson said. "Ya'll not going to be mad until it hits ya'll front door. Bullsh*t."

As we previously reported, Floyd died in Minneapolis, Minn. after officers responded to a call about a forgery in progress on Monday.

During the stop, officers held down George for several minutes ... despite the man telling cops he could not breathe.

The FBI is now investigating the incident ... while all four officers involved have been fired.

Keisha Lance Bottoms is disappointed some folks are still playing with fire in an untamed pandemic, like this wild house party in her city ... but she's encouraged by people taking it seriously.

Here's the deal ... someone decided it was a good idea to host a massive rager in Atlanta over Memorial Day Weekend, and the shindig was billed as a private, topless mansion party, with over 800 people attending before police shut it down.

Videos from inside the bash show revelers packed inside the mansion like sardines, topless dancers twerking in front of a huge circle of people, as money rained down.

The party is drawing a stern response from the Mayor of Atlanta ... a spokesperson for Bottoms tells TMZ, "While the Mayor is extremely disappointed to see these isolated events, she is encouraged by the vast majority of Atlantans who value their lives and the lives of others enough to practice social distancing and use some common sense.”

Translation ... a few bad apples won't overshadow the rest of you.

Remember, Mayor Bottoms has been urging Atlanta residents to be responsible and stay home during the pandemic, even as Governor Brian Kemp and President Trump push forward with reopening states and economies.

As for the party, we're told the owner of the house owns a couple strip clubs in the area ... and cops shut it down Saturday at midnight.

The Atlanta Police Department tells TMZ ... officers responded to a noise complaint and ticketed about a dozen cars for parking illegally.

Japanese reality show "Terrace House" is pulling the plug on the remainder of its 2019-2020 season ... following the tragic death of star cast member and pro wrestler Hana Kimura.

For those unfamiliar, "Terrace House" (which has become popular internationally on Netflix) follows 6 strangers -- 3 men and 3 women -- who live together and develop friendships and relationships.

22-year-old Kimura -- leader of Stardom Wrestling's Tokyo Cyber Squad -- joined the show's "Tokyo 2019-2020" season for episodes 20-42 ... saying she wanted to join to bring more eyes to female wrestling.

Kimura died on Saturday -- and now, Japanese broadcaster Fuji Television has said it will NOT air the final episodes of the season.

"We would like to express our regrets for the death of Hana Kimura and offer our sincere condolences to her family," FT said in a statement.

"Taking her passing with utmost sincerity, we will take active steps to formulate a response.”

Before her death on Saturday, Kimura had said she was the target of cyberbullying that stemmed from the show -- tweeting, "Every day, I receive nearly 100 honest opinions and I cannot deny that I get hurt."

Most of the cyberbullying was connected to an incident on the show involving an altercation with a male costar.

Kimura reportedly took her own life as a result of the constant harassment.

J.J. Watt says he's not sure whether the 2020 NFL season will take place as originally planned -- but he's training his ass off anyway because it's better to "stay ready."

"I don't know what's going to happen," Watt tells TMZ Sports ... "I'm just like everybody else. We're all kind of just waiting and seeing."

"The uncertainty is the worst part of it all. We don't know what's going to happen. But, I'm training like it's gonna happen on time. And, I'm looking forward to playing -- fans, no fans -- whatever it is. I'm just looking forward to competing and just doing what we do."

The Houston Texans superstar -- who's also hosting "Ultimate Tag" on FOX -- believes the return of football is super important ... but not at the expense of American lives.

"We love the game. We love the competition ... as long as it's safe for everybody," Watt explained.

"You have to remember we have coaches who are older. We have people helping out on the sidelines and staff members. So, as long it's safe for everybody and as long as everybody is comfortable and confident, I'm all for it because I think it does help return some normalcy and it gives people something to be excited about, to cheer for again."

"And, we're looking forward to that opportunity if it's safe."

Watt says he's been staying in touch with his teammates via Zoom meetings -- but jokes about some players not wanting to show off their homes to the rest of the team!

"One guy just points his [camera] at his ceiling fan for 2 hours straight during the meeting! Give us a little something. I mean geez, what are you hiding!?"

Besides training, we also talked to Watt about "Ultimate Tag" -- airs Wednesday night on FOX -- and says the athletes he's got on the show are FREAKS!

In fact, Watt says he doesn't think half the players in the League could keep up with the crazy athletes on "Ultimate Tag" ... which sounds like a challenge to us!!!

As for the NFL stars who would do the best on the show???

Here's a shocker -- Watt loves Lamar Jackson and Tyreek Hill ... some of the most talented players EVER!

But seriously, JJ -- pull some strings and get 'em on the show!!!

Dimitri Diatchenko -- best known for his famous role in "Chernobyl Diaries" -- died from an accidental fentanyl and valium overdose.

According to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Daytona Beach, Florida ... Dimitri's official cause of death is listed as a combination of fentanyl and diazepam toxicity. He also suffered from cardiomegaly ... an enlarged heart -- and had moderate coronary artery disease.

The report also lists the cause of death as an accident following "illicit drug abuse with prescription drug use." It's interesting ... the report also says Dimitri "sustained injury by electrocution [at 220 volts] while at work several days prior to being found dead at his home" but the medical examiner ultimately excluded a delayed arrhythmia from the electrical shock as a cause of death.

The report also stated Dimitri had long-standing prescriptions for hydrocodone and diazepam, but could not confirm a prescription for fentanyl.

TMZ broke the story ... Dimitri died back in April and it came as a complete shock to his family. Dimitri's family was worried after not hearing from him for several days. Dimitri, who played Uri in "Chernobyl Diaries," also had roles in "Get Smart" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

He was 52.

Before this adorable little boy buckled into a cute pair of overalls and had strapped himself into a wild ride as an athlete, rapper, actor, sports commentator ... and even Superman ... he was just another cute kid getting dressed up for a photo in Newark, New Jersey.

Although this side-eye guy hasn't looked back since he shot to fame in the mid-'90s in magical fashion ... he still maintains his child-like playfulness and young spirit in everything he does.

Attack this awesome throwback and see if you can get to the center of who he turned into!

The Mayor of Scottsdale is furious with the Arizona nightclub where Floyd Mayweather partied this weekend -- calling the images straight-up "disturbing."

As we previously reported, Mayweather hit up TWO parties on Saturday -- including a rager at the International Boutique Nightclub in Old Town Scottsdale.

You can see in the video NO ONE is wearing a mask or making an attempt to social distance.

We reached out to the Mayor to see how officials felt about the situation ... and man, Jim Lane is PISSED!

"The images from Old Town Scottsdale this weekend are disturbing, and frankly show a real lack of common sense and civic responsibility," Lane tells TMZ Sports.

"Businesses and their patrons need to realize that individually we each play an absolute part in our own personal hygiene, distancing and health courtesies, and each of us also plays a significant part in our city’s health, both physically and economically."

"This disease is spread between people -- and personal actions determine whether public health guidance is effective in blunting the spread of COVID-19."

"We succeeded together in preventing our medical services from being overwhelmed. It was a costly effort; many businesses and individuals paid a huge cost for the success we have had to date.

It is imperative that all businesses comply with the governor’s executive orders -- to ignore them is to risk faster spread of this disease and further damage to our physical and economic wellbeing."

In other words, if people aren't SMART about public social gatherings, things could get A LOT worse!

Mayor Lane continues ...

"In responding to reports about non-compliance to the governor’s orders and public health guidelines, we educate businesses and solicit their cooperation first. I am personally reaching out to the businesses that were shown over this past weekend to be open with large crowds, so that I can discuss with them the importance of our continued progress."

"If we choose to respect one another as part of a community effort, we will bring the city and the country back."

"There are other steps that can be employed under the state and city emergency declarations if needed -- we take these matters very seriously."

Khloe Kardashian has decided she'll move on from her incredible Calabasas estate IF the price is right, and that price is a whopping $19 million!!!

Khloe is willing to sell her massive property in the uber-exclusive gated community, The Oaks, for a cool $18,950,000 ... a 6-bedroom, 7-bathroom mansion that's also been home to Justin Bieber and Eddie Murphy, who bought it for his ex, Nicole Murphy.

Khloe completely renovated the property, with the help of famed designers, Waldo Fernandez and Tommy Clements. There are photos out online right now, but they show the home before Khole remodeled it. These shots are the way the home currently looks.

The 11,000-square-foot estate is where Khloe put down roots after divorcing Lamar Odom in 2013 ... and it's right down the block from Kourtney's house, and only 5 minutes from Kris Jenner's Hidden Hills mansion.

Khloe has not listed the house yet, but we know she's willing to sell if she gets her price.

Khloe's been sheltering in place at the sprawling property during the coronavirus pandemic, self-isolating with ex Tristan Thompson and their 2-year-old daughter, True.

The estate is magnificent, and it's decked out with all the bells and whistles ... home theater, insane guesthouse, swimming pool with a hot tub, huge kitchen with an island, and a meditation trail. News of the sale was first reported by Daily Mail.

Khloe scooped up the place from Justin back in 2014 for $7.2 million ... and one of the first orders of business was 86'ing the Biebs' skateboard ramp.

It took 20 years, but Jimmy Fallon's impersonation of Chris Rock on "Saturday Night Live" -- which he did in blackface -- has come back to bite him.

It seems unbelievable, but much like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last year, Fallon's late to learn the lesson that doing blackface at any point in your past is something that won't stay secret.

After the 'SNL' clip from the year 2000 resurfaced early Tuesday, the hashtag #jimmyfallonisoverparty began trending on Twitter ... and now, the late-night talk show host is apologizing.

Fallon says, "I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface. There is no excuse for this."

He adds ... "I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable."

In the sketch -- which we repeat, aired on TV in 2000 -- Jimmy comes out in blackface dressed as the famous comedian to join Regis Philbin, played by Darrell Hammond, and crack some Chris Rock-esque jokes.

Hard to say if people found it funny back then ... but even Jimmy agrees it definitely was NOT worth it.

Of course, Fallon hosts 'The Tonight Show' on NBC, which many folks online were eager to point out is the same network that fired Megyn Kelly in 2018 for making controversial comments defending the use of blackface.

No word yet from NBC on if there will be any consequences for Jimmy.

The killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer is the latest example of a shockingly disturbing reality in America ... leading many to conclude it's "open season on black people" ... this according to the lawyer representing George's family.

Attorney Ben Crump joined "TMZ Live" Tuesday to express the shock, outrage and sadness so many are feeling following Monday night's brutal incident ... in which a cop, who was responding to a forgery call, choked off George's air supply until he died.

Crump says George's family is having a terrible time comprehending what's captured on video -- the cop kept his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 MINUTES, despite his pleas that he couldn't breathe ... and everyone's in disbelief at what Ben calls a lack of humanity.

As we reported ... the Police Dept. released a statement saying no weapons were used during the incident, but as Crump points out -- that statement doesn't address the officer's brutality, and there's no explanation or justification for what happened anyway. The P.D.'s initial statement seemed to justify the incident, and it appears it was released before the video surfaced.

The Mayor of Minneapolis has expressed outrage, saying, "When you hear someone calling for help, you're supposed to help. This officer failed in the most basic, human sense."

Of course, the cop responsible for the knee to the neck had a partner during the arrest, and Crump believes that officer's actions make him complicit in the killing. As Crump says ... this cop also ignored Floyd's cries and protests from people watching, and didn't do a thing to help.

Minneapolis PD Chief Medaria Arradondo seems to have reached a similar conclusion -- on Tuesday afternoon he announced the firing of 4 officers involved in the incident. The officers names have not been released yet.

Crump feels it's long overdue for police officers to be held accountable for their actions -- or inaction -- like this ... no more benefit of the doubt or obligatory moral high ground given. Listen to how Ben explains it, though ... he makes a very good point.

Finally, this case is being compared to the death of Eric Garner in 2014 because of the obvious similarities, and Crump says he's going to try to get Eric's family in touch with Floyd's ... a request made by Eric's mother.

Archie Williams has a second chance at life after spending nearly 4 decades locked up for a crime he didn't commit ... and Elton John's here for it.

Archie's already the fan favorite for the new season of "America's Got Talent," not only because of his smooth and soulful singing voice, but because of his incredible backstory that has everyone pulling for him ... including Sir Elton.

'AGT' released Archie's segment -- including his performance of John's 1974 hit, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" -- to hype up the return of the talent competition Tuesday night ... and Elton said he was "moved to tears" by it.

He added ... "The courage and forgiveness shown by him is truly inspiring. The same spirit that the world found so inspiring with Nelson Mandela."

Here's Williams's story -- when he was 22, he was accused of raping and stabbing a white woman in Baton Rouge. Despite being home asleep at the time of the assault -- and having no connection to the crime scene -- the woman repeatedly ID'd him as her rapist.

Archie was convicted in 1983 for attempted murder, aggravated rape and aggravated burglary and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Thankfully, the Innocence Project took up his case in the '90s, and after years of working on it ... Archie was finally exonerated by DNA evidence in early 2019. He spent nearly 37 years in a Louisiana prison before the charges were dropped and he was freed.

A Minneapolis man is dead after a police officer put his knee on the man's neck and kept it there, despite pleas by the man that he couldn't breathe, and now the FBI is on the case.

It happened Monday night, when cops were responding to a "forgery in progress." Police arrived and saw the suspect sitting in a car. According to the Department, the man resisted arrest so he was placed in handcuffs, adding "he appeared to be suffering medical distress."

The Police Dept. added, "At no time were weapons of any type used by anyone involved in this incident."

What the P.D. did not address ... is the video, and it's incredibly disturbing.

You see the man on the ground in cuffs, as an officer puts his knee on his neck and the African-American man cries out, "Please, I can't breathe." The officer doesn't budge, as another officer passively watches.

It's apparent the man is in distress, as a passerby screams, "That's bulls***, bro. You're stopping his breathing right there, bro. Get him off the ground, bro," adding the officer was "enjoying it."

The man becomes motionless, an ambulance shows up and the man is taken to a hospital where he died.

The officers, whose bodycams were on and activated during the incident, were placed on administrative leave and the FBI is now investigating.