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George Floyd: crowds defy evening curfews as protests rage on – live George Floyd: tense scenes in front of White House as George Floyd protests rage – live
(32 minutes later)
Crowds defy evening curfews as protests continue, and Trump taken to special secure bunker – follow all the latest liveCrowds defy evening curfews as protests continue, and Trump taken to special secure bunker – follow all the latest live
As unrest over state violence towards black Americans roils the country, protesters have torn down one confederate statue in Birmingham, Alabama, and defaced another confederate monument.
The statue torn down appeared to be of Charles Linn, one of the founders of Birmingham, who served in the Confederate Navy during the Civil War.
NBC Washington has striking footage from the nation’s capital:
Police arrested the New York City mayor’s 25-year-old daughter at a protest in Manhattan on Saturday night, the New York Post first reported, citing law enforcement sources.
Chiara de Blasio “was one of about 100 people who refused to leave the roadway when advised by police,” ABC7 New York reported.
She did not tell police that she was the mayor’s daughter, but she did give her home address as the address of the governor’s mansion, the Post reported.
In his political campaigns, de Blasio has spoken out about raising black children in America: he is white, and his wife, Chirlane McCray, is black.
Things are getting tense outside the White House as an 11 o’clock curfew approaches.Things are getting tense outside the White House as an 11 o’clock curfew approaches.
The protest this evening started out relatively cheerfully with a crowd of a few thousand in Lafayette Park, the public gardens just in front of the White House. But as the night progressed, protesters faced off against a line of a few hundred police. You could just see the camouflage uniforms of the National Guard behind the police line. Then a few firecrackers were hurled from the crowd and the police responded with a couple of rounds of tear gas and rapid advance towards the protesters.The protest this evening started out relatively cheerfully with a crowd of a few thousand in Lafayette Park, the public gardens just in front of the White House. But as the night progressed, protesters faced off against a line of a few hundred police. You could just see the camouflage uniforms of the National Guard behind the police line. Then a few firecrackers were hurled from the crowd and the police responded with a couple of rounds of tear gas and rapid advance towards the protesters.
People scattered and fires were set in the surrounding streets. A car was set on fire on I Street and a few men ran along the road swinging baseball bats at every car they came across. A hundred yards from the White House, a small knot of protesters fired three projectiles at the AFLCIO Union headquarters breaking plate glass windows.People scattered and fires were set in the surrounding streets. A car was set on fire on I Street and a few men ran along the road swinging baseball bats at every car they came across. A hundred yards from the White House, a small knot of protesters fired three projectiles at the AFLCIO Union headquarters breaking plate glass windows.
Major protests over police killings of black Americans continue across the United States tonight, even as many cities imposed curfews and called in the National Guard to suppress the continuing unrest. Some updates from the Associated Press and reporters on the ground:Major protests over police killings of black Americans continue across the United States tonight, even as many cities imposed curfews and called in the National Guard to suppress the continuing unrest. Some updates from the Associated Press and reporters on the ground:
In Washington, DC, protesters in front of the White House set road signs on fire.In Washington, DC, protesters in front of the White House set road signs on fire.
Live footage on CNN showed police officers in New York city forcefully trying to clear a large protests. Protesters tweeted images of intense scenes.Live footage on CNN showed police officers in New York city forcefully trying to clear a large protests. Protesters tweeted images of intense scenes.
In Portland, Maine, in the whitest state in the US, a racially diverse crowd of about 300 people blocked traffic and vandalized police headquarters.In Portland, Maine, in the whitest state in the US, a racially diverse crowd of about 300 people blocked traffic and vandalized police headquarters.
In Philadelphia, police used tear gas on crowds. Police vehicles were set on fire. A city official said that several police officers were injured, some hit with bricks.In Philadelphia, police used tear gas on crowds. Police vehicles were set on fire. A city official said that several police officers were injured, some hit with bricks.
In San Diego, police officers fired tear gas to disperse a crowd. Demonstrations in the city had started early in the day. A small group of protesters later pelted officers with rocks and bottles, officials said.In San Diego, police officers fired tear gas to disperse a crowd. Demonstrations in the city had started early in the day. A small group of protesters later pelted officers with rocks and bottles, officials said.
In Detroit, Michigan, police fired tear gas on protesters who remained outside the police headquarters just 45 minutes after the city’s 8 pm curfew.In Detroit, Michigan, police fired tear gas on protesters who remained outside the police headquarters just 45 minutes after the city’s 8 pm curfew.
A major interstate highway through downtown Seattle, Washington was closed Sunday afternoon because of protest activity.A major interstate highway through downtown Seattle, Washington was closed Sunday afternoon because of protest activity.
In Boston, Massachusetts, which has a reputation among black Americans as one of the country’s most racist cities, thousands marched peacefully Sunday afternoon, but police said on Sunday night that some people were throwing bricks, rocks and bottles at them.In Boston, Massachusetts, which has a reputation among black Americans as one of the country’s most racist cities, thousands marched peacefully Sunday afternoon, but police said on Sunday night that some people were throwing bricks, rocks and bottles at them.
The thousands of people who had gathered on the Interstate 35 west bridge were forced off after the incident earlier this evening, when a semi-truck drove into the crowd.The thousands of people who had gathered on the Interstate 35 west bridge were forced off after the incident earlier this evening, when a semi-truck drove into the crowd.
Police warned demonstrators that the city’s curfew was approaching and large numbers left. But a minority remained and initially faced down the police on a ramp off the bridge. As they moved down the street they were pursued by the police, including by officers on bikes in gas masks. The police fired tear gas and surrounded the dwindling group.Police warned demonstrators that the city’s curfew was approaching and large numbers left. But a minority remained and initially faced down the police on a ramp off the bridge. As they moved down the street they were pursued by the police, including by officers on bikes in gas masks. The police fired tear gas and surrounded the dwindling group.
After trapping the crowd in a parking lot of an auto store, the police ordered protesters to lie on the ground while they were arrested.After trapping the crowd in a parking lot of an auto store, the police ordered protesters to lie on the ground while they were arrested.
There was far less resistance than on previous evenings, and the group facing down the police was much smaller as it dwindled to fewer than 100 people.There was far less resistance than on previous evenings, and the group facing down the police was much smaller as it dwindled to fewer than 100 people.
Scenes from across the country on Sunday eveningScenes from across the country on Sunday evening
After police violence in New York on Saturday, signs of more restraintAfter police violence in New York on Saturday, signs of more restraint
In perhaps the biggest and most organized march yet, thousands of New Yorkers made their way from the Grand Army Plaza and Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn down Flatbush Avenue, the main artery of the borough that feeds into the Manhattan bridge. In an unprecedented shutdown of the road, people on bicycles and on foot held signs and chanted while approaching the foot of the bridge, where they were met with multiple NYPD squads.In perhaps the biggest and most organized march yet, thousands of New Yorkers made their way from the Grand Army Plaza and Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn down Flatbush Avenue, the main artery of the borough that feeds into the Manhattan bridge. In an unprecedented shutdown of the road, people on bicycles and on foot held signs and chanted while approaching the foot of the bridge, where they were met with multiple NYPD squads.
The crowd included many families. Fatima, a Brooklyn resident who came with her husband and toddler. “I’m tired of posting social media -- I got a black husband, a black son. I’m tired of them killing us,” she said. “This is the civil rights movement and it’s 2020.”The crowd included many families. Fatima, a Brooklyn resident who came with her husband and toddler. “I’m tired of posting social media -- I got a black husband, a black son. I’m tired of them killing us,” she said. “This is the civil rights movement and it’s 2020.”
Some people noticed that the police had a markedly different approach to the crowds than on Saturday evening, when police cars were seen driving into groups of protesters, and police were pushing people to the ground. Most officers seemed to be holding steady to keep people out of the traffic. As of 9 pm, I didn’t see any significant altercations, tear gas or any other methods.Some people noticed that the police had a markedly different approach to the crowds than on Saturday evening, when police cars were seen driving into groups of protesters, and police were pushing people to the ground. Most officers seemed to be holding steady to keep people out of the traffic. As of 9 pm, I didn’t see any significant altercations, tear gas or any other methods.
In a joint interview on CNN, the families of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd addressed the ongoing protests and the growing frustration over police brutality across the country.In a joint interview on CNN, the families of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd addressed the ongoing protests and the growing frustration over police brutality across the country.
“It really breaks my heart that it’s come to this, but I truly understand where protesters are coming from” Wanda Cooper, Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, told Don Lemon. “Black lives are being lost, and they’re being lost for no reason.”“It really breaks my heart that it’s come to this, but I truly understand where protesters are coming from” Wanda Cooper, Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, told Don Lemon. “Black lives are being lost, and they’re being lost for no reason.”
“People are killing black men and women,” Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, echoed.“People are killing black men and women,” Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, echoed.
Philonise Floyd questioned why several officers who were present when George was killed haven’t been arrested. “My brother’s in the morgue, and some of these police officers are at home,” he said. “I want justice now. My brother deserves it.”Philonise Floyd questioned why several officers who were present when George was killed haven’t been arrested. “My brother’s in the morgue, and some of these police officers are at home,” he said. “I want justice now. My brother deserves it.”
As protests sparked by the death of George Floyd raged outside the White House on Friday night, Donald Trump was taken into a special secure bunker, the New York Times reported.As protests sparked by the death of George Floyd raged outside the White House on Friday night, Donald Trump was taken into a special secure bunker, the New York Times reported.
Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on Monday, has sparked unrest and protests in dozens of cities across the US, including Washington DC. Demonstrators have gathered outside the White House since Friday night, with clashes erupting intermittently outside the very perimeter of the White House.Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on Monday, has sparked unrest and protests in dozens of cities across the US, including Washington DC. Demonstrators have gathered outside the White House since Friday night, with clashes erupting intermittently outside the very perimeter of the White House.
As protesters converged on the White House on Friday, the “Secret Service agents abruptly rushed the president to the underground bunker used in the past during terrorist attacks,” the Times reported.As protesters converged on the White House on Friday, the “Secret Service agents abruptly rushed the president to the underground bunker used in the past during terrorist attacks,” the Times reported.
Hardened to withstand the force of a passenger jet crashing into the White House, the bunker is the same one that sheltered vice president Dick Cheney during the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.Hardened to withstand the force of a passenger jet crashing into the White House, the bunker is the same one that sheltered vice president Dick Cheney during the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.
“The president and his family were rattled by their experience on Friday night, according to several advisers,” the Times report said.“The president and his family were rattled by their experience on Friday night, according to several advisers,” the Times report said.
Trump has been widely criticized for his response to the protests that have rocked the nation since video of Floyd’s death began spreading on social media. Despite days of peaceful protests and violent clashes with police in some of America’s major cities, Trump has not addressed the nation and has repeatedly sent inflammatory messages over Twitter.Trump has been widely criticized for his response to the protests that have rocked the nation since video of Floyd’s death began spreading on social media. Despite days of peaceful protests and violent clashes with police in some of America’s major cities, Trump has not addressed the nation and has repeatedly sent inflammatory messages over Twitter.
Late on Friday, Trump tweeted that protesters could have been attacked with “vicious dogs and ominous weapons” wielded by the US Secret Service and accused the DC mayor for supposedly not providing police to protect the White House.Late on Friday, Trump tweeted that protesters could have been attacked with “vicious dogs and ominous weapons” wielded by the US Secret Service and accused the DC mayor for supposedly not providing police to protect the White House.
“They let the ‘protesters’ scream and rant as much as they wanted, but whenever someone got too frisky or out of line, they would quickly come down on them, hard – didn’t know what hit them,” Trump said.“They let the ‘protesters’ scream and rant as much as they wanted, but whenever someone got too frisky or out of line, they would quickly come down on them, hard – didn’t know what hit them,” Trump said.
“If they had [breached the fence],” the president continued, “they would have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least.”“If they had [breached the fence],” the president continued, “they would have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen. That’s when people would have been really badly hurt, at least.”
The president has spoken to George Floyd’s grieving family, but according to Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, the conversation was brief. “He didn’t give me an opportunity to even speak,” Floyd told MSNBC .The president has spoken to George Floyd’s grieving family, but according to Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, the conversation was brief. “He didn’t give me an opportunity to even speak,” Floyd told MSNBC .
Joe Biden posted a photograph of himself today at the site of protests last night in Wilmington, Delaware, and said that he will lead “this conversation,” but that also “I will listen.”Joe Biden posted a photograph of himself today at the site of protests last night in Wilmington, Delaware, and said that he will lead “this conversation,” but that also “I will listen.”
Earlier today, the New York Times’ Astead Herndon highlighted the challenge Biden faces, as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, in speaking to the deep pain, grief, and exhaustion that Black Americans are feeling in this moment.Earlier today, the New York Times’ Astead Herndon highlighted the challenge Biden faces, as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, in speaking to the deep pain, grief, and exhaustion that Black Americans are feeling in this moment.
“Interviews with activists and leading Democratic figures including Stacey Abrams of Georgia, the longtime civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, and Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, flipped [the] typical framework: If Democrats want people to vote, party leaders need to listen to why people are angry,” Herndon wrote.“Interviews with activists and leading Democratic figures including Stacey Abrams of Georgia, the longtime civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, and Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, flipped [the] typical framework: If Democrats want people to vote, party leaders need to listen to why people are angry,” Herndon wrote.
“Interviews with activists and leading Democratic figures including Stacey Abrams of Georgia, the longtime civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, and Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, flipped [the] typical framework: If Democrats want people to vote, party leaders need to listen to why people are angry,” Herndon wrote.“Interviews with activists and leading Democratic figures including Stacey Abrams of Georgia, the longtime civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, and Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, flipped [the] typical framework: If Democrats want people to vote, party leaders need to listen to why people are angry,” Herndon wrote.
In Oakland, a ‘car caravan’ protest more than four miles longIn Oakland, a ‘car caravan’ protest more than four miles long
Cars stretched more than four miles down the streets of Oakland on Sunday, as protestors participated in a peaceful caravan to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other victims of police violence.Cars stretched more than four miles down the streets of Oakland on Sunday, as protestors participated in a peaceful caravan to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other victims of police violence.
The caravan marked the third day of protests in Oakland, sparked by the killing of Floyd by a police officer in Minnesota last week. Demonstrators invoked the names of many killed by police violence, including Floyd and Taylor, a black woman killed by police in her apartment in March, in Louisville, Kentucky.The caravan marked the third day of protests in Oakland, sparked by the killing of Floyd by a police officer in Minnesota last week. Demonstrators invoked the names of many killed by police violence, including Floyd and Taylor, a black woman killed by police in her apartment in March, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Demonstrations got heated in Oakland on Friday and Saturday after police used tear gas on protestors and stores were vandalized. But protestors in the caravan on Sunday stressed the peaceful nature of their protest, which was organized by local non-profit the Anti-Police Terror Project.Demonstrations got heated in Oakland on Friday and Saturday after police used tear gas on protestors and stores were vandalized. But protestors in the caravan on Sunday stressed the peaceful nature of their protest, which was organized by local non-profit the Anti-Police Terror Project.
“We are here to make a peaceful statement and let it be known that this cannot go on,” said Ayana, a protestor holding a sign that said ‘silence = death’ and who declined to use her last name.“We are here to make a peaceful statement and let it be known that this cannot go on,” said Ayana, a protestor holding a sign that said ‘silence = death’ and who declined to use her last name.
“We have been dealing with these injustices for years and years,” she added. “It’s so easy to sit behind a screen or say things on our phone, but we want to be on the forefront of change, even if it’s just holding up a sign, justice must be served.”“We have been dealing with these injustices for years and years,” she added. “It’s so easy to sit behind a screen or say things on our phone, but we want to be on the forefront of change, even if it’s just holding up a sign, justice must be served.”
Organizers encouraged attendees to stay inside their cars or stand six feet apart from each other to stop the spread of coronavirus. Participants could tune into local radio station 88.1 or a Facebook livestream to listen to music and driving instructions throughout the event, which went on for more than three hours.Organizers encouraged attendees to stay inside their cars or stand six feet apart from each other to stop the spread of coronavirus. Participants could tune into local radio station 88.1 or a Facebook livestream to listen to music and driving instructions throughout the event, which went on for more than three hours.
The caravan traveled through West Oakland into Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, located near the harbor of Oakland, where cars turned around. Cars were covered in posters with slogans like “Black Lives Matter” and the names of people killed by police in recent years.The caravan traveled through West Oakland into Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, located near the harbor of Oakland, where cars turned around. Cars were covered in posters with slogans like “Black Lives Matter” and the names of people killed by police in recent years.
Ayana and her sister Nadja drove to Oakland from Vallejo, about 20 miles away, to participate in the car caravan. They got out of their cars to walk after being stuck in the long line of cars for quite a while, said Nadja.Ayana and her sister Nadja drove to Oakland from Vallejo, about 20 miles away, to participate in the car caravan. They got out of their cars to walk after being stuck in the long line of cars for quite a while, said Nadja.
“We don’t want to be looting, we don’t want to be tearing up things, we want to make this as peaceful as possible,” she said. “That’s why we are walking and showing our message right now.”“We don’t want to be looting, we don’t want to be tearing up things, we want to make this as peaceful as possible,” she said. “That’s why we are walking and showing our message right now.”
The caravan wrapped through the bay-side park, turning around before continuing through Oakland several miles to the freeway entrance, where some protestors on foot faced off with California Highway Patrol before dispersing.The caravan wrapped through the bay-side park, turning around before continuing through Oakland several miles to the freeway entrance, where some protestors on foot faced off with California Highway Patrol before dispersing.
Semitrailer driving through protesters on bridge ‘appeared deliberate’
The Associated Press has an update on the footage of a semi-truck driving at high speed through a crowd of protesters demonstrating on a highway bridge in Minneapolis:
On Twitter, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety called the truck driver’s actions “very disturbing” and said that he was “inciting a crowd of peaceful demonstrators.”
Chicago to block major streets with sanitation trucks, suspend transit
Chicago city officials are taking extraordinary steps Sunday to patrol and restrict access to the city’s downtown after a night of tense protests, the Associated Press reports:
Oakland protests continue with socially distant ‘car caravan’
Longtime Oakland activists organized a “car caravan” this afternoon to demonstrate for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Steven Taylor, while maintaining social distancing.
According to local reporters covering the protest, hundreds or even thousands of cars are now winding through downtown Oakland, honking constantly. The sound is echoing across the city. I can hear it through my open window as I update this live blog.
The socially distant protest was organized by the Anti Police-Terror Project.
Los Angeles, the largest county in the US, has just announced a regional curfew to go from 6pm to 6am, as a number of protests continue across southern California.
The order impacts 10m residents and comes one day after the mayor of LA adopted a citywide curfew and brought in the state National Guard to assist with its response to demonstrations. Protests on Sunday have continued to attract large police responses in Santa Monica, Long Beach, Huntington Beach and other LA cities.
Police deployed teargas, beanbags, batons and rubber bullets during the Saturday protests, and the Los Angeles police department (LAPD) arrested roughly 400 people.
On Melrose avenue, one of the main strips where some property damage occurred later in the evening, business owners and residents were doing cleanups on Sunday, with many merchants putting up “minority-owned” and “Black Lives Matter” signs on the boarded-up storefronts. Police helicopters continued to circle above. Some impacted LA restaurants have expressed support for the protests, many of them forced to close shortly after they were allowed to reopen for indoor dining following months of Covid shutdowns.
Civil rights groups and some community leaders have condemned LA officials for adopting strict curfews and deploying armed National Guard officers, with the ACLU of Southern California saying “these measures give police too much discretion over whom to arrest and will lead to selective and biased enforcement and risk harassment of people who are unhoused”.
“Combined with the aggressive show of military force ... these approaches repeat the very problems at the root of the protests,” the ACLU said.
More from Guardian correspondent Chris McGreal in Minneapolis:
A semi-truck drove into a George Floyd demonstration of thousands of people on a bridge in Minneapolis, apparently without seriously injuring anyone. But two children are now missing.
A large crowd had blocked the I-35 west interstate bridge when they spotted the fuel tanker coming around the curve at speed. The mass of people parted in panic and fled to the sides of the bridge as the truck ploughed through the crowd, coming very close to hitting several people.
As the vehicle ground to a halt, the crowd surged back toward the driver and dragged him from his cab and beat him. He was taken to hospital. The police said he is now under arrest.
It’s not clear whether it was a deliberate act on the part of the driver or he was unaware that the bridge was closed.
Organisers were appealing for help to find two children who were separated from their parents as people scattered.
Curfew tonight in nation’s capital
Washington, DC will have a citywide curfew tonight, starting at 11 p.m. local time. The city’s mayor also announced she is activating the National Guard to support the city’s police force.
The US capital is a city of stark racial inequalities. Nearly half of DC’s population is Black.
Shocking footage of semi-truck driving through protesters on bridge
A local television station in Minneapolis is airing footage of a semi-truck attempting to drive through crowds of demonstrators on the Interstate 35W Bridge across the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.
The footage was captured by a news helicopter for WCCO, a CBS-affiliate station in Minnesota. While the story is still developing, the station is reporting initial details:
Watching the footage as it broadcast, the anchors narrating the footage sounded shaken: “Oh my gosh, the speed at which that truck approached, and even some of the brave people attempting to slow it down,” one said.
WCCO also reported that the crowd on the highway “had been, up to that point, a peaceful protest” and that it was “was part of a protest group marching against the death of George Floyd, and had taken position to take a knee on the bridge.”
All major roads into Minneapolis and St Paul have been shut for the night as authorities aim to quell the protests in the city over the last few days. The twin cities are also under curfew until Monday morning.
As the country braces for another night of protests, Donald Trump tweets:
The Atlanta mayor announced two police officers have been fired and three have been placed on desk duty after a review of body cam footage showing excessive use of fore during an incident at a protest on Saturday night.
Atlanta police chief Erika Shields called the images “really shocking to watch.”
Officials said the video, which circulated online, appears to show a group of police officers pulling a woman out of a car and using a stun gun on the man with her. They use zip-tie handcuffs on the woman on the ground. Reporters at the scene at the time of the incident said the police also broke the glass on the car and flattened the tires.