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George Floyd killing: protests rage as anger mounts in cities across US – live George Floyd killing: protests rage as anger mounts in cities across US – live
(32 minutes later)
Crowds call for justice and an end to police brutality in demonstrations in Atlanta, Kentucky, New York and CaliforniaCrowds call for justice and an end to police brutality in demonstrations in Atlanta, Kentucky, New York and California
It is past 1am in Washington DC right now, and a whole new day, and protests are still going strong in front of the White House.
Protesters have spent the past hours tussling with secret service and law enforcement over barricades. Some said on the live stream that they had been tear-gassed. Others threw water on the secret service.
Georgia governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in Fulton County, where Atlanta is located, because of the protests. The emergency declaration allows him to activate up to 500 Georgia National Guard to “protect people and property in Atlanta”.
From the Guardian’s Mario Koran, on the ground in Oakland:
Police formed a line outside the Oakland police headquarters, where demonstrators gathered, chanting “I can’t breathe” and “you are the virus” to the officers.
A black protester stepped forward toward the line of police, shouting “400 years!”.
Jesse and Jessica Hurtado, a husband and wife dressed in Brown Beret fatigues, joined the protest in solidarity with black protesters. They had just been to another protest in San Jose.
“They’re not just killing African Americans. They’re killing black and brown together,” said Jesse.
One man in the crowd stood atop the median as the remains of an American flag burned, while around him boomed flash grenades and fireworks.
The night remained largely peaceful after a fight broke out between a white and black protester, but tension mounted as some protestors began to hurl cans and bottles at law enforcement.
Police announced: “You have the right assemble peacefully but be advised this is now an unlawful protest. Please disperse from this area.”
Moments later, they fired teargas into the crowd.
Across California, police were declaring unlawful assemblies at their respective protests:Across California, police were declaring unlawful assemblies at their respective protests:
In Oakland, it appeared the police had added tear gas to the projectiles they fired into the crowd:In Oakland, it appeared the police had added tear gas to the projectiles they fired into the crowd:
The Guardian’s Chris McGreal is speaking with local business owners in Minneapolis who express fears for their livelihood amid the growing unrest:The Guardian’s Chris McGreal is speaking with local business owners in Minneapolis who express fears for their livelihood amid the growing unrest:
Sergio Pineda stood guard over his used car lot as a gas station burned a block away and crowds looted a liquor store and partied in the street.Sergio Pineda stood guard over his used car lot as a gas station burned a block away and crowds looted a liquor store and partied in the street.
“It’s all Latino businesses around here. I don’t support what the cops did but I don’t support what’s going on,” he said. “The National Guard should be here protecting. A lot of these are minority owned businesses that aren’t insured.”“It’s all Latino businesses around here. I don’t support what the cops did but I don’t support what’s going on,” he said. “The National Guard should be here protecting. A lot of these are minority owned businesses that aren’t insured.”
He said he was prepared to defend his business.“I don’t want to kill nobody but if somebody disrespects my business... ” he said.He said he was prepared to defend his business.“I don’t want to kill nobody but if somebody disrespects my business... ” he said.
Jackie Renzetti reports for the Guardian on the scene in Minneapolis earlier on Friday afternoon, shortly after Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced he would charge Derek Chauvin with third-degree murder and manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd:Jackie Renzetti reports for the Guardian on the scene in Minneapolis earlier on Friday afternoon, shortly after Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced he would charge Derek Chauvin with third-degree murder and manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd:
Demonstrators Friday focused their messages on continuing to hold the other three officers accountable, with chants including “all four” and “one down, three to go.”Demonstrators Friday focused their messages on continuing to hold the other three officers accountable, with chants including “all four” and “one down, three to go.”
Around 150 people were present during demonstrations following Freeman’s announcement. The crowd swelled to about 200 throughout the afternoon, where a steady stream of speakers gave talks and led chants.Around 150 people were present during demonstrations following Freeman’s announcement. The crowd swelled to about 200 throughout the afternoon, where a steady stream of speakers gave talks and led chants.
Kenney Daniels, 57, is African American and has lived in Minneapolis for most of his life, including 22 years in the city’s southern neighborhoods. He expressed concern over the destruction and violence that took place during the last few nights of protests.Kenney Daniels, 57, is African American and has lived in Minneapolis for most of his life, including 22 years in the city’s southern neighborhoods. He expressed concern over the destruction and violence that took place during the last few nights of protests.
“It’s just terrible,“ he said, “but people are just fed up with it .. It just gets more intense every 20, 30 years.” Aside from the general danger of destroying properties, he said he worried how the resulting increased presence of law enforcement would affect the conflict. “I hope these officers can be held accountable so that this can stop,” he said. “This could go a whole another ugly way, for everybody.”“It’s just terrible,“ he said, “but people are just fed up with it .. It just gets more intense every 20, 30 years.” Aside from the general danger of destroying properties, he said he worried how the resulting increased presence of law enforcement would affect the conflict. “I hope these officers can be held accountable so that this can stop,” he said. “This could go a whole another ugly way, for everybody.”
Aggie Heart, 59, has lived in south Minneapolis for 40 years. She came Friday with her 29-year-old daughter, Celia Thomas, and Thomas’ four and 12-year-old daughters. Thomas said she hadn’t attended the week’s previous protests because of danger, but wanted to bring her children to the safe environment of the intersection.Aggie Heart, 59, has lived in south Minneapolis for 40 years. She came Friday with her 29-year-old daughter, Celia Thomas, and Thomas’ four and 12-year-old daughters. Thomas said she hadn’t attended the week’s previous protests because of danger, but wanted to bring her children to the safe environment of the intersection.
“I think the charges were a little bit lenient,” said Thomas, who is a person of color, “and I just hope they stick.”“I think the charges were a little bit lenient,” said Thomas, who is a person of color, “and I just hope they stick.”
She expressed dismay at the destruction over the past few days. “I cried for the last few nights, just looking at this place I grew up in – it’s ruined,” she said. “But maybe if something is actually happening, maybe it’s for good.”She expressed dismay at the destruction over the past few days. “I cried for the last few nights, just looking at this place I grew up in – it’s ruined,” she said. “But maybe if something is actually happening, maybe it’s for good.”
Brett Davis, 60, is African American and grew up in south Minneapolis, where he has lived for most of his life. He said he thought that the protests, including ones that became destructive, provided necessary pressure for a relatively swift charging decision compared to previous police misconduct cases.Brett Davis, 60, is African American and grew up in south Minneapolis, where he has lived for most of his life. He said he thought that the protests, including ones that became destructive, provided necessary pressure for a relatively swift charging decision compared to previous police misconduct cases.
“What they did made this happen,” he said, adding that some of the destruction was done by people simply taking a “badge of opportunity” rather than for the cause. He knows young men involved with some of the destruction well, he said. A history of feeling discriminated against for jobs by area businesses, combined with anger over the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on people of color, contributed to their decisions, he said.“What they did made this happen,” he said, adding that some of the destruction was done by people simply taking a “badge of opportunity” rather than for the cause. He knows young men involved with some of the destruction well, he said. A history of feeling discriminated against for jobs by area businesses, combined with anger over the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on people of color, contributed to their decisions, he said.
“They say, we’re not going to do it your old way. We’re not doing the peaceful marches. We’re not going to do all that ... We’re gonna go out and destroy and destruct, because that’s the only time they listen,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been hearing a lot from these young guys.”“They say, we’re not going to do it your old way. We’re not doing the peaceful marches. We’re not going to do all that ... We’re gonna go out and destroy and destruct, because that’s the only time they listen,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been hearing a lot from these young guys.”
He said he’s been injured by police multiple times over the years. “Now, you have cameras to show you what the Minneapolis police have been doing for a long time.”He said he’s been injured by police multiple times over the years. “Now, you have cameras to show you what the Minneapolis police have been doing for a long time.”
“It’s like a ticking time bomb,” he said.“It’s like a ticking time bomb,” he said.
In Oakland, California, protesters began with a downtown gathering as others shut down the Bay Bridge.In Oakland, California, protesters began with a downtown gathering as others shut down the Bay Bridge.
The large group met in front of City Hall in Frank Ogawa Plaza, which during the Occupy protests of 2011, was renamed for Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old local black man who was killed when a transit police officer shot him in the back while he laid handcuffed on the ground.The large group met in front of City Hall in Frank Ogawa Plaza, which during the Occupy protests of 2011, was renamed for Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old local black man who was killed when a transit police officer shot him in the back while he laid handcuffed on the ground.
Protesters went on to block another freeway, this time Interstate 880.Protesters went on to block another freeway, this time Interstate 880.
For those keeping track, in California alone, protesters on Friday blocked four separate freeways: the 101 south in San Jose, Interstate 80 on the Bay Bridge at the Oakland/San Francisco border, Interstate 880 in Oakland and Freeway 110 in Los Angeles.For those keeping track, in California alone, protesters on Friday blocked four separate freeways: the 101 south in San Jose, Interstate 80 on the Bay Bridge at the Oakland/San Francisco border, Interstate 880 in Oakland and Freeway 110 in Los Angeles.
Outside Oakland police headquarters, protesters set off fireworks and threw bottles at police. Police responded by firing projectiles into the crowd.Outside Oakland police headquarters, protesters set off fireworks and threw bottles at police. Police responded by firing projectiles into the crowd.
In Los Angeles, protesters marched through the downtown area before shutting the 110 freeway.In Los Angeles, protesters marched through the downtown area before shutting the 110 freeway.
Some protesters apparently smashed some police car windows, prompting a scuffle in which other protesters tried to fend off an arresting officer by hitting him with signs.Some protesters apparently smashed some police car windows, prompting a scuffle in which other protesters tried to fend off an arresting officer by hitting him with signs.
Some protesters also appeared to make a road block out of scooters.Some protesters also appeared to make a road block out of scooters.
Here are some more images from the protest:Here are some more images from the protest:
Kellie Chauvin, the wife of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd, is divorcing her husband because of his role in Floyd’s death.Kellie Chauvin, the wife of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd, is divorcing her husband because of his role in Floyd’s death.
New York state senator Zellnor Myrie and state assemblymember Diana Richardson were “pepper sprayed and handcuffed” tonight, apparently during the protests.New York state senator Zellnor Myrie and state assemblymember Diana Richardson were “pepper sprayed and handcuffed” tonight, apparently during the protests.
From the Guardian’s Chris McGreal, on the ground in Minneapolis:
Once again the police retreated. Once again the protesters took control.
Minnesota’s governor had pledged that Friday would be different to the previous night when the police abandoned the area around the 3rd precinct to thousands of people angry over the death of George Floyd.
But as the curfew came into force at 8pm, the protesters were back out in force and not giving ground. Defying repeated orders, and waves of tear gas, they kept pushing forward until the police gave way.
Within half an hour the police station, the symbol of what the protesters saw as their victory the previous evening, was back in their hands. They celebrated with selfies and tours of it wrecked interior.
As the sun went down, the protesters kept pushing the police back. The governor had threatened to send in the National Guard but they were nowhere to be seen. But neither, for now, was there a repeat of the looting and burning of buildings.
Still a long evening lay ahead.
Back in Louisville, Kentucky, local TV reporter Kaitlin Rust was on the air when police began firing projectiles at her and her cameraman.
Rust screamed, yelling, “I’m getting shot!” before correcting herself to note that they were either rubber bullets or pepper balls.
“Who are they aiming that at?” the anchor asked, as the police officer pointed the gun at camera.
“It’s directly at us,” Rust said.
“Why are they doing that?” the anchor asked.
The earlier protest in Washington DC that led to a lockdown of the White House consisted of several hundred demonstrators gathering and shutting down an intersection at U and 14th streets.
One man briefly clashed with secret service officers, but the lockdown was quickly lifted and the overall protest remained small in scope. More protests are scheduled in the capital on Saturday.
In San Jose, California, protesters blocked a major freeway and chanted George Floyd’s name in the downtown area.
Mayor Sam Liccardo reported that protesters damaged at least one police car and that law enforcement deployed tear gas. One officer was hurt, and several protesters were arrested, he said.
Video showed a police officer apparently instigating a physical confrontation with a protester that ended in that protester’s arrest.
Former New York mayor and current Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani waded into the action to criticize Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey the “criminal friendly policies” of all “so-called Progressive Democrat mayors and governors”.
Some photos from the protests:
Outside the White House:
The scene in New York:
In Kentucky, demonstrators are protesting the death of Breonna Taylor:
In Louisville, Kentucky, demonstrators gathered again to protest the killing of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman who was shot by police while sleeping in her apartment. The plainclothes officers had been serving a no-knock search warrant, searching for a suspect in a narcotics investigation who Taylor’s family believes was already in custody at the time of her death.
Tonight in Louisville, protesters burned flags outside the Hall of Justice before shattering windows and setting fire.
Police responded with tear gas.
This came after hours of peaceful marching.
Hey all, Vivian Ho taking over the blog tonight, as demonstrations over the killing of George Floyd continue to rage across the country.
In Brooklyn, we have voting rights editor Ankita Rao on the ground, and she is reporting that the police were clashing with protesters, forcing people - including multiple minors - onto sidewalks and arresting them. Later, despite no apparent violence other than some thrown water bottles, police fired a smoking projectile into the crowd. Some black protesters were urging white protesters to form a barrier between the police, who were trying to push them back.
Guardian reporter Vivian Ho has this update on the demonstrations in Atlanta:
Protests turned chaotic in downtown Atlanta, with some demonstrators defacing the CNN headquarters and others smashing police vehicles.
Protesters threw objects at the CNN building while chanting “no more police” and “fuck CNN”. Someone set a police car on fire.
Later, video showed law enforcement entering the fray and smoking projectiles being shot into the screaming crowd.
Thousands of protesters remained at Minneapolis’s third precinct police station as the curfew began at 8pm central time, the Guardian’s Chris McGreal reports.
The protesters have defied police orders to disperse in advance of the curfew, and police have fired tear gas.
The third precinct was the site of Thursday’s night’s fiery riot, when police abandoned their station and it was set on fire.
Star Tribune reporter Ryan Faircloth reports that community leaders say they won’t leave until all four of the officers involved are arrested and charged.