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George Floyd: fires burn near White House as US-wide protests rage – live George Floyd: fires burn near White House as US-wide protests rage – live
(32 minutes later)
Washington Monument is surrounded by smoke from fires as protesters defy curfews and face off with policeWashington Monument is surrounded by smoke from fires as protesters defy curfews and face off with police
California’s Department of Human Resources has just issued a directive that all state buildings “with offices in downtown city areas” must be closed on Monday, a sweeping order that covers everything from Department of Motor Vehicles offices to those that license workers and provide health care, the Associated Press reports.
“After consultation with the California Highway Patrol and Office of Emergency Services, the decision was made this evening to advise all state departments with offices in downtown city areas to close tomorrow, and to notify staff of the decision,” said Amy Palmer, a spokeswoman for the state Government Operations Agency.
The directive was sent Sunday evening and it was left up to officials at individual agencies to determine which buildings should be closed.
A state Department of Justice memo sent to employees said the attorney general’s offices in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego would be closed, though employees who can work from home should do so.
“Staff assigned to these offices should not report to work for any reason. Staff who are able to telework should continue to do so despite the office closures,” the memo said.
Here’s footage of the moment last night when some of the White House’s exterior lights were shut off, providing symbolism some have found hard to resist.Here’s footage of the moment last night when some of the White House’s exterior lights were shut off, providing symbolism some have found hard to resist.
The news that Donald Trump spent part of Friday evening in the presidential bunker, as protesters massed near to the White House, is getting a lot of traction online. #BunkerBoy is the leading trend on Twitter in the United States and in the top five in Australia.The news that Donald Trump spent part of Friday evening in the presidential bunker, as protesters massed near to the White House, is getting a lot of traction online. #BunkerBoy is the leading trend on Twitter in the United States and in the top five in Australia.
We’ve already reported how China’s state media is using these protests as an opportunity to goad Donald Trump and deflect from its own government’s treatment of Hong Kong and protesters in the city.We’ve already reported how China’s state media is using these protests as an opportunity to goad Donald Trump and deflect from its own government’s treatment of Hong Kong and protesters in the city.
Iran is also getting in on the act. Its foreign ministry spokesman has just given this press conference that observers are saying is the first he’s ever given in English, in which he directly addresses American protesters with messages of support.Iran is also getting in on the act. Its foreign ministry spokesman has just given this press conference that observers are saying is the first he’s ever given in English, in which he directly addresses American protesters with messages of support.
His government doesn’t deem Iranians worthy of the same support, if last November’s nationwide protests are any indication. Security forces used teargas, live ammunition and other repressive measures to crush those demonstrations, which also involved riots and destruction of banks and state buildings. Estimates of how many were killed range from 304, according to Amnesty International, to about 1,500 according to Reuters. The Iranian government has not released its own figure.His government doesn’t deem Iranians worthy of the same support, if last November’s nationwide protests are any indication. Security forces used teargas, live ammunition and other repressive measures to crush those demonstrations, which also involved riots and destruction of banks and state buildings. Estimates of how many were killed range from 304, according to Amnesty International, to about 1,500 according to Reuters. The Iranian government has not released its own figure.
George Floyd’s killing has led to a global pouring of outrage and solidarity with protesters in the US. That has included four solidarity rallies in New Zealand, a large demonstration in London’s Trafalgar Square and protests in Berlin and Copenhagen. Demands for justice also featured in this weekend’s Bundesliga, the German football championship. Floyd’s visage also now features on a part of the former Berlin Wall, along with some of his last words, “I can’t breathe”.George Floyd’s killing has led to a global pouring of outrage and solidarity with protesters in the US. That has included four solidarity rallies in New Zealand, a large demonstration in London’s Trafalgar Square and protests in Berlin and Copenhagen. Demands for justice also featured in this weekend’s Bundesliga, the German football championship. Floyd’s visage also now features on a part of the former Berlin Wall, along with some of his last words, “I can’t breathe”.
We’ve pulled those threads together into this story, just published:We’ve pulled those threads together into this story, just published:
A striking detail from tonight’s coverage has been reports that as protesters surged towards the White House on Friday night, US president Donald Trump, his wife Melania and son Barron briefly retreated to the Presidential Emergency Operations Centre – a fortified bunker-like structure beneath the residence.A striking detail from tonight’s coverage has been reports that as protesters surged towards the White House on Friday night, US president Donald Trump, his wife Melania and son Barron briefly retreated to the Presidential Emergency Operations Centre – a fortified bunker-like structure beneath the residence.
The last time a US head of state was publicly known to have used the bunker was on 11 September, 2001, where senior members of the George W Bush administration spent that day after their west wing offices were evacuated. There are no other public reports of presidents needing to use the area since - the New York Times, which first reported this detail, says “it has not been used much, if at all” since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But it notes the area has since been strengthened to withstand the impact of a passenger jet.The last time a US head of state was publicly known to have used the bunker was on 11 September, 2001, where senior members of the George W Bush administration spent that day after their west wing offices were evacuated. There are no other public reports of presidents needing to use the area since - the New York Times, which first reported this detail, says “it has not been used much, if at all” since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But it notes the area has since been strengthened to withstand the impact of a passenger jet.
The White House has declined to comment on the reports.The White House has declined to comment on the reports.
My colleague Julian Borger in Washington DC has just filed this update on a tense evening the capital.My colleague Julian Borger in Washington DC has just filed this update on a tense evening the capital.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
Hello, it’s just past 3am on the east coast and midnight on the west coast and the US is reeling from the sixth successive night of protests and riots following the killing of George Floyd. I’ll be steering you through the next hours of our coverage.Hello, it’s just past 3am on the east coast and midnight on the west coast and the US is reeling from the sixth successive night of protests and riots following the killing of George Floyd. I’ll be steering you through the next hours of our coverage.
Those just checking in might have missed this frightening scene from a Minneapolis freeway earlier today, where a tanker truck appeared to charge at full speed into a throng of protesters. Nobody was injured but the driver did seek medical assistance, according to local authorities.Those just checking in might have missed this frightening scene from a Minneapolis freeway earlier today, where a tanker truck appeared to charge at full speed into a throng of protesters. Nobody was injured but the driver did seek medical assistance, according to local authorities.
Police in the city have now named the driver as Bogdan Vechirko, and he’s been arrested.Police in the city have now named the driver as Bogdan Vechirko, and he’s been arrested.
Many of the reporters on the ground are heading for some rest as the unrest quietens down for now.Many of the reporters on the ground are heading for some rest as the unrest quietens down for now.
It’s the middle of the night in the US, where cities continue to reel under protest and violence and where Black Lives Matter leaders say president Donald Trump, has failed his country. This report from David Smith in Washington:It’s the middle of the night in the US, where cities continue to reel under protest and violence and where Black Lives Matter leaders say president Donald Trump, has failed his country. This report from David Smith in Washington:
For three years, the first president elected without political or military experience rode his luck and skirted past disaster. In the fourth year, the fates demanded payback.For three years, the first president elected without political or military experience rode his luck and skirted past disaster. In the fourth year, the fates demanded payback.
Not even Trump’s harshest critics can blame him for a virus believed to have come from a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, nor for an attendant economic collapse, nor for four centuries of slavery, segregation, police brutality and racial injustice.Not even Trump’s harshest critics can blame him for a virus believed to have come from a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, nor for an attendant economic collapse, nor for four centuries of slavery, segregation, police brutality and racial injustice.
But they can, and do, point to how he made a bad situation so much worse. The story of Trump’s presidency was arguably always leading to this moment, with its toxic mix of weak moral leadership, racial divisiveness, crass and vulgar rhetoric and an erosion of norms, institutions and trust in traditional information sources. Taken together, these ingredients created a tinderbox poised to explode when crises came.But they can, and do, point to how he made a bad situation so much worse. The story of Trump’s presidency was arguably always leading to this moment, with its toxic mix of weak moral leadership, racial divisiveness, crass and vulgar rhetoric and an erosion of norms, institutions and trust in traditional information sources. Taken together, these ingredients created a tinderbox poised to explode when crises came.
Read Smith’s full report here.Read Smith’s full report here.
Cities across the US saw further unrest on Sunday as protests against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis raged on. On the sixth day of demonstrations since Floyd’s death, many throughout the nation defied curfews amid rising anger and frustration at the repeated failure of America’s policing system. More than 4,000 protestors have beenCities across the US saw further unrest on Sunday as protests against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis raged on. On the sixth day of demonstrations since Floyd’s death, many throughout the nation defied curfews amid rising anger and frustration at the repeated failure of America’s policing system. More than 4,000 protestors have been
Fires burned in Washington DC, including near the White House. As the 11pm curfew passed, an area of a few blocks around the White House was thick with smoke.Fires burned in Washington DC, including near the White House. As the 11pm curfew passed, an area of a few blocks around the White House was thick with smoke.
Donald Trump was taken into a special secure bunker as protests sparked by the death of George Floyd raged outside the White House on Friday night, according to reports. 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.Donald Trump was taken into a special secure bunker as protests sparked by the death of George Floyd raged outside the White House on Friday night, according to reports. 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.
Few defied the curfew in Minneapolis, where the main gathering place remained the street where Floyd was arrested and killed on Monday, now a memorial filled with flowers. Police had cleared protesters from the site with force last night.Few defied the curfew in Minneapolis, where the main gathering place remained the street where Floyd was arrested and killed on Monday, now a memorial filled with flowers. Police had cleared protesters from the site with force last night.
In the Twin Cities, thousands of people who had gathered on the Interstate 35 west bridge were forced off a semi-truck drove into the crowd. No protestors appear to have been injured by the “disturbing” incident, officials said.In the Twin Cities, thousands of people who had gathered on the Interstate 35 west bridge were forced off a semi-truck drove into the crowd. No protestors appear to have been injured by the “disturbing” incident, officials said.
New York descended into chaos once again, as thousands of demonstrators spread throughout the city, and at one point briefly shut down the Manhattan bridge. Protestors thew trash at the police and officers responded by beating crowds back with batons and making arrests.New York descended into chaos once again, as thousands of demonstrators spread throughout the city, and at one point briefly shut down the Manhattan bridge. Protestors thew trash at the police and officers responded by beating crowds back with batons and making arrests.
New York Mayor’s Bill de Blasio’s 25-year-old daughter was one of the demonstrators who was arrested this weekend. As outlets reported the news, a New York City police union tweeted personal information about Chiara de Blasio’s arrest.New York Mayor’s Bill de Blasio’s 25-year-old daughter was one of the demonstrators who was arrested this weekend. As outlets reported the news, a New York City police union tweeted personal information about Chiara de Blasio’s arrest.
Throughout the country, police responded use tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and batons against demonstrators and press. Officers fired “beanbag rounds” at protestors in Austin, and in Denver police reportedly hit a Denver Post reporter with multiple nonlethal rounds despite him screaming “press”.Throughout the country, police responded use tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and batons against demonstrators and press. Officers fired “beanbag rounds” at protestors in Austin, and in Denver police reportedly hit a Denver Post reporter with multiple nonlethal rounds despite him screaming “press”.
Los Angeles county, the largest county in the US, has announced a regional curfew to go from 6pm to 6am, as a number of protests continue across southern California. Business owners and residents spent Sunday morning cleaning up after Saturday night’s explosive demonstration, with many merchants putting up “minority-owned” and “Black Lives Matter” signs on the boarded-up storefrontsLos Angeles county, the largest county in the US, has announced a regional curfew to go from 6pm to 6am, as a number of protests continue across southern California. Business owners and residents spent Sunday morning cleaning up after Saturday night’s explosive demonstration, with many merchants putting up “minority-owned” and “Black Lives Matter” signs on the boarded-up storefronts
Trump tweeted that “The United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization.” The president has blamed the violence during this week’s protests on Antifa and leftwing organizations despite the fact that it is unclear who is responsible for the looting.Trump tweeted that “The United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization.” The president has blamed the violence during this week’s protests on Antifa and leftwing organizations despite the fact that it is unclear who is responsible for the looting.
The Guardian’s team in London will continue live coverage of the protests.The Guardian’s team in London will continue live coverage of the protests.
As news outlets reported that New York City mayor Bill de Blasio’s 25-year-old daughter had been arrested at a protest last night, a New York city police union tweeted personal information about Chiara de Blasio’s arrest.As news outlets reported that New York City mayor Bill de Blasio’s 25-year-old daughter had been arrested at a protest last night, a New York city police union tweeted personal information about Chiara de Blasio’s arrest.
Gizmodo reporter Dell Cameron reported on the tweet from the Sergeant’s Benevolent Association, calling it a “doxing.”Gizmodo reporter Dell Cameron reported on the tweet from the Sergeant’s Benevolent Association, calling it a “doxing.”
“How can the NYPD protect the city from rioting anarchist [sic] when the mayors object throwing daughter is one of them. Now we know why he is forbidding Mounted Units to be mobilized and keeping the NYPD from doing their jobs,” the tweet read.“How can the NYPD protect the city from rioting anarchist [sic] when the mayors object throwing daughter is one of them. Now we know why he is forbidding Mounted Units to be mobilized and keeping the NYPD from doing their jobs,” the tweet read.
It appears that Twitter subsequently removed the tweet, Cameron and other reporters noted, although comment from Twitter was not immediately available.It appears that Twitter subsequently removed the tweet, Cameron and other reporters noted, although comment from Twitter was not immediately available.
A fourth night of chaotic protests in New York CityA fourth night of chaotic protests in New York City
New York descended into chaos once again today, as the fourth night of demonstrations raged on. The demonstrations have been characterized by turbulent confrontations between police and protestors, with officers arresting hundreds though the weekend.New York descended into chaos once again today, as the fourth night of demonstrations raged on. The demonstrations have been characterized by turbulent confrontations between police and protestors, with officers arresting hundreds though the weekend.
Mayor Bill deBlasio’s daughter Chiara deBlasio, 25, was among the those arrested on Saturday night, news outlets reported on Sunday night, as the New York police union tweeted personal information about the mayor’s daughter’s arrest.Mayor Bill deBlasio’s daughter Chiara deBlasio, 25, was among the those arrested on Saturday night, news outlets reported on Sunday night, as the New York police union tweeted personal information about the mayor’s daughter’s arrest.
In Union Square, flames rose two stories high, according to reporters at the scene. In Lower Manhattan, shops including a Duane Reade drugstore were looted. Thousands of demonstrators spread throughout the city, and at one point briefly shut down the Manhattan bridge. Protestors thew trash at the police, and officers responded by beating crowds back with batons and making more arrests.In Union Square, flames rose two stories high, according to reporters at the scene. In Lower Manhattan, shops including a Duane Reade drugstore were looted. Thousands of demonstrators spread throughout the city, and at one point briefly shut down the Manhattan bridge. Protestors thew trash at the police, and officers responded by beating crowds back with batons and making more arrests.
NYPD officers have been widely criticized for using excessive force in response to protestors throughout the weekend. Earlier in the day, the protests began with people kneeling at various spots across the city. Demonstrators held moments of silence in honor of George Floyd and even filmed a few officers joining in.NYPD officers have been widely criticized for using excessive force in response to protestors throughout the weekend. Earlier in the day, the protests began with people kneeling at various spots across the city. Demonstrators held moments of silence in honor of George Floyd and even filmed a few officers joining in.
How US newspapers have covered the George Floyd protestsHow US newspapers have covered the George Floyd protests
What does American coverage of the George Floyd protests look like to people in the rest of the world?What does American coverage of the George Floyd protests look like to people in the rest of the world?
My Guardian colleague Alison Rourke looks at the front pages of US newspapers over the past few days:My Guardian colleague Alison Rourke looks at the front pages of US newspapers over the past few days:
Austin, Texas: Police firing ‘beanbag rounds’ at protestersAustin, Texas: Police firing ‘beanbag rounds’ at protesters
ProPublica reporter Jessica Huseman is covering protests in Austin tonight. She tweeted that she can see an officer firing beanbag rounds at protesters, and that he is “smiling.”ProPublica reporter Jessica Huseman is covering protests in Austin tonight. She tweeted that she can see an officer firing beanbag rounds at protesters, and that he is “smiling.”
Earlier today, the Austin Police Association tweeted about why the city’s police were using beanbag rounds against protesters:Earlier today, the Austin Police Association tweeted about why the city’s police were using beanbag rounds against protesters:
‘Major show of force’ outside police headquarters in Denver‘Major show of force’ outside police headquarters in Denver
Reporters on the scene in Denver, Colorado are describing a “major show of force” as more than a thousand protesters defied the city’s curfew and continued to march towards the city’s police headquarters.Reporters on the scene in Denver, Colorado are describing a “major show of force” as more than a thousand protesters defied the city’s curfew and continued to march towards the city’s police headquarters.
Journalist Alex Burness of the Denver Post was hit with multiple nonlethal rounds despite screaming “press,” a New York Times reporter covering the protest with him tweeted.Journalist Alex Burness of the Denver Post was hit with multiple nonlethal rounds despite screaming “press,” a New York Times reporter covering the protest with him tweeted.
Burness called it “definitely the most violent single moment I’ve covered over these four days” and a “Major show of force by cops outside Denver PD headquarters.”Burness called it “definitely the most violent single moment I’ve covered over these four days” and a “Major show of force by cops outside Denver PD headquarters.”
“Denver feels like a rolling street battle right now,” another reporter on scene tweeted less than twenty minutes ago.“Denver feels like a rolling street battle right now,” another reporter on scene tweeted less than twenty minutes ago.