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Minnesota police officer who kneeled on George Floyd's neck taken into custody – live Minnesota police officer who kneeled on George Floyd's neck arrested – live
(32 minutes later)
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested in connection to Floyd’s deathFormer Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested in connection to Floyd’s death
Joe Biden called for justice in the death of George Floyd and warned that silence in the wake of his death amounted to complicity.
“The original sin of this country still stains our nation today and sometimes we managed to overlook it,” Biden said, speaking from a lectern at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. “But it’s always there. And in weeks like this, we see it plainly that we are a country with an open wound.”
“None of us can be silent,” he continued. “None of us can … hear the words ‘I can’t breathe’ and do nothing.”
During his nearly six-minute remarks, which were hastily arranged on Friday, Biden announced that he had spoken to Floyd’s family and vowed to do “everything in our power to see to it that justice is had.”
Biden never mentioned Trump by name, but he assailed the president’s response on Twitter, which called the protestors “thugs” and warned that additional violence could ensue: “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
“This is no time for incendiary tweets. It’s no time to encourage violence,” he said. “This is a national crisis. We need real leadership right now.”
Quoting Martin Luther King, who warned of the “appalling silence” of good people, Biden urged the nation to imagine the pain and fear felt by many black Americans on a daily basis.
“With our complacency, our silence, we are complicit in perpetuating these cycles of violence. Nothing about this will be easy or comfortable. But if we simply allow this wound to scab over once more without treating the underlying injury, we’re never truly heal.
“We need justice for George Floyd,” Biden said. “We need real police reform that holds cops to a higher standard that so many of them actually meet, that holds bad cops accountable.”
Senator Kamala Harris said the other three police officers who were fired over George Floyd’s death must also be brought to justice.
The California senator said of the arrest of Derek Chauvin, “A start, but every single officer involved must be held accountable for George Floyd’s murder.”
Harris has been named as a potential running mate to Joe Biden, but some progressives have expressed concern about her criminal justice record, citing her tenure as California’s attorney general.
Senator Amy Klobuchar confirmed Derek Chauvin has been arrested in connection to the death of George Floyd and is in the custody of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The Minnesota senator called Chauvin’s arrest “the first step towards justice.” Klobuchar has been criticized for not prosecuting police officers involved in fatal encounters while she was serving as Hennepin county attorney.
Kenya Evelyn reported yesterday:
In an interview with MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell this afternoon, Klobuchar said it was “absolutely false” she declined to prosecute Chauvin.
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who has been identified as the man who put his knee on George Floyd’s neck, has been arrested in connection to Floyd’s death.Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who has been identified as the man who put his knee on George Floyd’s neck, has been arrested in connection to Floyd’s death.
John Mark Harrington, the Minnesota department of public safety commissioner, announced the news shortly after a press conference about the Minneapolis protests ended.John Mark Harrington, the Minnesota department of public safety commissioner, announced the news shortly after a press conference about the Minneapolis protests ended.
Harrington did not offer any information about the specific charges filed against Chauvin, and it’s unclear whether the three other officers who were also fired after Floyd’s death will be arrested.Harrington did not offer any information about the specific charges filed against Chauvin, and it’s unclear whether the three other officers who were also fired after Floyd’s death will be arrested.
Despite his strong words condemning structural racism, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell dodged a question about Trump’s tweet threatening violence against the Minneapolis protesters.Despite his strong words condemning structural racism, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell dodged a question about Trump’s tweet threatening violence against the Minneapolis protesters.
“I generally don’t comment on the President’s tweets,” McConnell told reporters on Capitol Hill. “I can speak for myself.”“I generally don’t comment on the President’s tweets,” McConnell told reporters on Capitol Hill. “I can speak for myself.”
In contrast, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer condemned Trump’s tweet, which read in part, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”In contrast, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer condemned Trump’s tweet, which read in part, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
“President Trump is pouring gasoline on the flames by quoting a racist police chief,” Schumer wrote in a tweet.“President Trump is pouring gasoline on the flames by quoting a racist police chief,” Schumer wrote in a tweet.
Trump’s tweet appeared to be referencing a quote from former Miami police chief Walter Headley during unrest among black residents in 1967. Headley repeated the quote when violence broke out in a black neighborhood as Miami hosted the Republican National Convention.Trump’s tweet appeared to be referencing a quote from former Miami police chief Walter Headley during unrest among black residents in 1967. Headley repeated the quote when violence broke out in a black neighborhood as Miami hosted the Republican National Convention.
In response to criticism of his policies, Headley said, “Don’t these people know that most of the crimes in the Negro districts are against Negroes? Don’t they know we’re trying to protect Negroes as well as whites?”In response to criticism of his policies, Headley said, “Don’t these people know that most of the crimes in the Negro districts are against Negroes? Don’t they know we’re trying to protect Negroes as well as whites?”
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell released a statement condemning violence amid the protests and demanding structural change to avoid more deaths like George Floyd’s.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell released a statement condemning violence amid the protests and demanding structural change to avoid more deaths like George Floyd’s.
“The killings of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, George Floyd in Minneapolis, and Breonna Taylor in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky have shaken our nation,” McConnell said.“The killings of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, George Floyd in Minneapolis, and Breonna Taylor in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky have shaken our nation,” McConnell said.
“For millions and millions of outraged Americans, these tragedies do not appear as isolated incidents, but as the latest disturbing chapters in our long, unfinished American struggle to ensure that equal justice under law is not conditional on the color of one’s skin.”“For millions and millions of outraged Americans, these tragedies do not appear as isolated incidents, but as the latest disturbing chapters in our long, unfinished American struggle to ensure that equal justice under law is not conditional on the color of one’s skin.”
But the Kentucky Republican stressed that the protests in response to the deaths of Arbery, Floyd and Taylor should remain peaceful. McConnell expressed dismay about seven people being shot in Louisville last night during a protest over Taylor’s death.But the Kentucky Republican stressed that the protests in response to the deaths of Arbery, Floyd and Taylor should remain peaceful. McConnell expressed dismay about seven people being shot in Louisville last night during a protest over Taylor’s death.
“Our city, our state, and our country have to pull together,” McConnell said. “Violence does not make our streets safer. Injustice does not promote justice. Destruction does not build a better society. We will only be able to chart the future we want if we do it together.”“Our city, our state, and our country have to pull together,” McConnell said. “Violence does not make our streets safer. Injustice does not promote justice. Destruction does not build a better society. We will only be able to chart the future we want if we do it together.”
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Twitter said Trump’s tweet threatening Minneapolis protesters glorified violence. The platform has hidden the president’s tweet about the protests in reaction to the death of George Floyd, which read in part, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”Twitter said Trump’s tweet threatening Minneapolis protesters glorified violence. The platform has hidden the president’s tweet about the protests in reaction to the death of George Floyd, which read in part, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
Barack Obama said Americans needed to create a “new normal” to address structural racism. “This shouldn’t be ‘normal’ in 2020 America,” the former president said of Floyd’s death. “It can’t be ‘normal.’”Barack Obama said Americans needed to create a “new normal” to address structural racism. “This shouldn’t be ‘normal’ in 2020 America,” the former president said of Floyd’s death. “It can’t be ‘normal.’”
Minnesota governor Tim Walz pledged “swift” justice for Floyd. Walz said the four police officers who were fired over Floyd’s death must be held accountable, but he argued the state needed to “restore order” before addressing the issues that led to Floyd’s death.Minnesota governor Tim Walz pledged “swift” justice for Floyd. Walz said the four police officers who were fired over Floyd’s death must be held accountable, but he argued the state needed to “restore order” before addressing the issues that led to Floyd’s death.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Leading civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Lee Merritt have called on the US Congress and the United Nations to become involved in addressing the killings of black Americans in recent weeks that have further inflamed deep-seated anger and grief in the country over entrenched racism and systemic inequality.Leading civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Lee Merritt have called on the US Congress and the United Nations to become involved in addressing the killings of black Americans in recent weeks that have further inflamed deep-seated anger and grief in the country over entrenched racism and systemic inequality.
The two lawyers held a virtual press conference this morning with representatives of three families who recently lost their loved ones - George Floyd in Minnesota, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. The first two victims were killed by police while Arbery was gunned down by two white men as he went jogging in their neighborhood.The two lawyers held a virtual press conference this morning with representatives of three families who recently lost their loved ones - George Floyd in Minnesota, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. The first two victims were killed by police while Arbery was gunned down by two white men as he went jogging in their neighborhood.
“We need a national response. Civil rights attorneys around the country say we can no longer do this on a case by case basis,” Merritt said. “We know there are, on average, 1,000 police officer involved shootings a year. We live in the most incarcerated nation on planet Earth,” he said, adding there was a weariness of getting mere “trickles of justice”.“We need a national response. Civil rights attorneys around the country say we can no longer do this on a case by case basis,” Merritt said. “We know there are, on average, 1,000 police officer involved shootings a year. We live in the most incarcerated nation on planet Earth,” he said, adding there was a weariness of getting mere “trickles of justice”.
Merritt said he would be requesting that the United Nations Human Rights Committee hear the cases of the three killings. The lawyers plan to present a case to the UN calling for sweeping changes to America’s criminal justice system - which Crump earlier in the week equated to two, far from equal, systems “one for black America and one for white America”.Merritt said he would be requesting that the United Nations Human Rights Committee hear the cases of the three killings. The lawyers plan to present a case to the UN calling for sweeping changes to America’s criminal justice system - which Crump earlier in the week equated to two, far from equal, systems “one for black America and one for white America”.
The two lawyers called for a congressional hearing and the creation of a national task force to craft bipartisan legislation aimed at “ending racial violence and increasing police accountability” in the US.The two lawyers called for a congressional hearing and the creation of a national task force to craft bipartisan legislation aimed at “ending racial violence and increasing police accountability” in the US.
Crump said it was “so necessary that we have this action today to finally address this national pandemic. We have coronavirus, but communities of color have been dealing with another pandemic for far too long.”Crump said it was “so necessary that we have this action today to finally address this national pandemic. We have coronavirus, but communities of color have been dealing with another pandemic for far too long.”
He said Breonna Taylor, an EMT, was killed for “sleeping while black in the sanctity of her own apartment”, after police shot wildly during a plain-clothes raid on her address in March; Ahmaud Arbery was cut down for “jogging while black” and George Floyd died “just trying to breathe while black”.He said Breonna Taylor, an EMT, was killed for “sleeping while black in the sanctity of her own apartment”, after police shot wildly during a plain-clothes raid on her address in March; Ahmaud Arbery was cut down for “jogging while black” and George Floyd died “just trying to breathe while black”.
Floyd was pinned to the street with a white police officer’s knee on his neck for almost nine minutes on Monday, with him losing consciousness about halfway through, according to witnesses.Floyd was pinned to the street with a white police officer’s knee on his neck for almost nine minutes on Monday, with him losing consciousness about halfway through, according to witnesses.
Merritt concluded: “Every other modern nation in the world has figured out a way of policing its citizens without killing so many of them and without incarcerating so many of them.”Merritt concluded: “Every other modern nation in the world has figured out a way of policing its citizens without killing so many of them and without incarcerating so many of them.”
The White House has just announced Trump will hold a press conference in the Rose Garden at 2 pm ET.The White House has just announced Trump will hold a press conference in the Rose Garden at 2 pm ET.
The president said yesterday that he would hold a press conference on China, as Trump has tried to blame the country for the spread of coronavirus.The president said yesterday that he would hold a press conference on China, as Trump has tried to blame the country for the spread of coronavirus.
Trump has also involved China in his ongoing spat with Twitter, accusing the platform of targeting him for fact-checking while ignoring false claims from Chinese officials. (Twitter has since added fact-check labels to some tweets from Chinese officials.)Trump has also involved China in his ongoing spat with Twitter, accusing the platform of targeting him for fact-checking while ignoring false claims from Chinese officials. (Twitter has since added fact-check labels to some tweets from Chinese officials.)
Even though the press conference is meant to focus on China, the president will almost certainly be bombarded with questions from reporters about his tweet threatening violence against the Minneapolis protesters.Even though the press conference is meant to focus on China, the president will almost certainly be bombarded with questions from reporters about his tweet threatening violence against the Minneapolis protesters.
Echoing Barack Obama’s words, Minnesota governor Tim Walz said the pre-coronavirus normal is not neessarily a place the state should return to.Echoing Barack Obama’s words, Minnesota governor Tim Walz said the pre-coronavirus normal is not neessarily a place the state should return to.
“Normal was not working for many communities,” Walz said at his press conference. “Normal was not working for George Floyd.”“Normal was not working for many communities,” Walz said at his press conference. “Normal was not working for George Floyd.”
A number of state and local officials have talked about the need to “build back better,” as New York governor Andrew Cuomo has said, as states start to reopen their economies.A number of state and local officials have talked about the need to “build back better,” as New York governor Andrew Cuomo has said, as states start to reopen their economies.
Former president Barack Obama has issued a statement on the death of George Floyd, saying the country needed to create a new normal for Americans of color.Former president Barack Obama has issued a statement on the death of George Floyd, saying the country needed to create a new normal for Americans of color.
Obama said that despite many Americans’ desire to return to “normal” amid the coronavirus pandemic, racial discrimination is “maddeningly” normal for people of color.Obama said that despite many Americans’ desire to return to “normal” amid the coronavirus pandemic, racial discrimination is “maddeningly” normal for people of color.
“This shouldn’t be ‘normal’ in 2020 America,” Obama said. “It can’t be ‘normal.’”“This shouldn’t be ‘normal’ in 2020 America,” Obama said. “It can’t be ‘normal.’”
The former president called on Americans to come together to create a “new normal” in order to root out institutional racism.The former president called on Americans to come together to create a “new normal” in order to root out institutional racism.
Minnesota governor Tim Walz said justice would be served for George Floyd, saying he was “confident” in the prosecutors involved in the case.Minnesota governor Tim Walz said justice would be served for George Floyd, saying he was “confident” in the prosecutors involved in the case.
“It is my expectation that justice for the officers involved in this will be swift, that it will come in a timely manner, that it will be fair,” Walz said. “That is what we’ve asked for.”“It is my expectation that justice for the officers involved in this will be swift, that it will come in a timely manner, that it will be fair,” Walz said. “That is what we’ve asked for.”
The Democratic governor said he had been in contact with the Hennepin county attorney to ensure the officers will be held accountable.The Democratic governor said he had been in contact with the Hennepin county attorney to ensure the officers will be held accountable.
Musician Taylor Swift has now weighed in on the president’s tweet threatening violence against protesters in Minnesota, vowing to help defeat Trump in November.Musician Taylor Swift has now weighed in on the president’s tweet threatening violence against protesters in Minnesota, vowing to help defeat Trump in November.
“After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence?” Swift wrote in a tweet to her 86 million followers. “We will vote you out in November.”“After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence?” Swift wrote in a tweet to her 86 million followers. “We will vote you out in November.”
The pop star has been relatively quiet about politics in the past, but she has recently gotten more involved, endorsing Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen in 2018.The pop star has been relatively quiet about politics in the past, but she has recently gotten more involved, endorsing Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen in 2018.
Minnesota governor Tim Walz said the state had to “restore order” to Minneapolis, which has been rocked by protests, before addressing the structural issues that led to the death of George Floyd.Minnesota governor Tim Walz said the state had to “restore order” to Minneapolis, which has been rocked by protests, before addressing the structural issues that led to the death of George Floyd.
“We have to restore order to our society before we can start addressing the issues,” Walz said at a press conference.“We have to restore order to our society before we can start addressing the issues,” Walz said at a press conference.
The Democratic governor said he would not “patronize you as a white man,” but he asked the protesters to help restore peace to the city.The Democratic governor said he would not “patronize you as a white man,” but he asked the protesters to help restore peace to the city.
Walz also apologized for the arrests of CNN reporter Omar Jimenez and his camera crew, saying he had spoken to CNN president Jeff Zucker moments after learning of the incident.Walz also apologized for the arrests of CNN reporter Omar Jimenez and his camera crew, saying he had spoken to CNN president Jeff Zucker moments after learning of the incident.
“I take full responsibility,” Walz said, emphasizing that the arrests should never have occurred.“I take full responsibility,” Walz said, emphasizing that the arrests should never have occurred.
The National Association of Black Journalists condemned the Minneapolis police for arresting CNN reporter Omar Jimenez while he was covering the George Floyd protests.The National Association of Black Journalists condemned the Minneapolis police for arresting CNN reporter Omar Jimenez while he was covering the George Floyd protests.
NABJ president Dorothy Tucker said in a tweet that it was “unfathomable and upsetting to witness this structural racism in real time.”NABJ president Dorothy Tucker said in a tweet that it was “unfathomable and upsetting to witness this structural racism in real time.”
Tucker later added, “We are relieved to see Omar has been released, but we are still disturbed by the apparent violation of First Amendment rights that are the bedrock of journalism.”Tucker later added, “We are relieved to see Omar has been released, but we are still disturbed by the apparent violation of First Amendment rights that are the bedrock of journalism.”
Democratic senator Bob Casey said he has tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, indicating he had a mild case of the virus and recovered.Democratic senator Bob Casey said he has tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, indicating he had a mild case of the virus and recovered.
“Earlier this spring, I experienced a low-grade fever and some mild flu-like symptoms for a number of days. I consulted my physician over the phone, who suggested that I quarantine at home in Scranton for a period of two weeks,” Casey said in a statement.“Earlier this spring, I experienced a low-grade fever and some mild flu-like symptoms for a number of days. I consulted my physician over the phone, who suggested that I quarantine at home in Scranton for a period of two weeks,” Casey said in a statement.
The Pennsylvania senator noted he intends to donate blood plasma, which has been used to help treat coronavirus patients.The Pennsylvania senator noted he intends to donate blood plasma, which has been used to help treat coronavirus patients.
Casey’s announcement comes a day after senator Tim Kaine said he had also tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, and senator Rand Paul tested positive for the virus in March.Casey’s announcement comes a day after senator Tim Kaine said he had also tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, and senator Rand Paul tested positive for the virus in March.
The two announcements indicate several more senators may have become infected with the virus several weeks ago.The two announcements indicate several more senators may have become infected with the virus several weeks ago.
Congresswoman Val Demings, a former police chief, wrote a Washington Post op-ed calling for the officers who were fired over the death of George Floyd to be held accountable.Congresswoman Val Demings, a former police chief, wrote a Washington Post op-ed calling for the officers who were fired over the death of George Floyd to be held accountable.
Demings wrote:Demings wrote:
Demings has been named as a potential running mate to Joe Biden, who said this morning that he was “furious” at Trump for threatening violence against the protesters in Minneapolis.Demings has been named as a potential running mate to Joe Biden, who said this morning that he was “furious” at Trump for threatening violence against the protesters in Minneapolis.
Melania Trump struck a notably calmer note about the George Floyd protests than her husband, urging the demonstrators in Minneapolis to avoid engaging in violence.Melania Trump struck a notably calmer note about the George Floyd protests than her husband, urging the demonstrators in Minneapolis to avoid engaging in violence.
“I’ve seen our citizens unify & take care of one another through COVID19 & we can’t stop now,” the first lady wrote in a tweet, going on to offer condolences to Floyd’s family.“I’ve seen our citizens unify & take care of one another through COVID19 & we can’t stop now,” the first lady wrote in a tweet, going on to offer condolences to Floyd’s family.
The tweet was a rather stark contrast from Trump, who threatened violence against the protesters and said, “When looting starts, shooting starts.”The tweet was a rather stark contrast from Trump, who threatened violence against the protesters and said, “When looting starts, shooting starts.”
Joe Biden has weighed in on Trump’s tweet glorifying violence against protesters and the arrest of a CNN reporter in Minneapolis.Joe Biden has weighed in on Trump’s tweet glorifying violence against protesters and the arrest of a CNN reporter in Minneapolis.
“This is not abstract: a black reporter was arrested while doing his job this morning, while the white police officer who killed George Floyd remains free. I am glad swift action was taken, but this, to me, says everything,” the presumptive Democratic nominee wrote in a tweet.“This is not abstract: a black reporter was arrested while doing his job this morning, while the white police officer who killed George Floyd remains free. I am glad swift action was taken, but this, to me, says everything,” the presumptive Democratic nominee wrote in a tweet.
Biden said he would not “lift” Trump’s tweet that partly reads, “When looting starts, shooting starts.”Biden said he would not “lift” Trump’s tweet that partly reads, “When looting starts, shooting starts.”
“I will not give him that amplification. But he is calling for violence against American citizens during a moment of pain for so many. I’m furious, and you should be too,” Biden wrote.“I will not give him that amplification. But he is calling for violence against American citizens during a moment of pain for so many. I’m furious, and you should be too,” Biden wrote.