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Live Updates on George Floyd Protests: Trump Vows to Deploy Military If Violence Continues Live Updates on George Floyd Protests: Trump Vows to Deploy Military If Violence Continues
(32 minutes later)
In his first remarks from the White House since massive protests have swept the country, President Trump said Monday evening that the looting and violent demonstrations in reaction to the death of George Floyd in police custody were “acts of domestic terror.”In his first remarks from the White House since massive protests have swept the country, President Trump said Monday evening that the looting and violent demonstrations in reaction to the death of George Floyd in police custody were “acts of domestic terror.”
Speaking in the Rose Garden as protesters and law enforcement held a tense standoff outside, Mr. Trump said he planned for a police and law enforcement presence to “dominate the streets” and said he would respond with an “overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled.”Speaking in the Rose Garden as protesters and law enforcement held a tense standoff outside, Mr. Trump said he planned for a police and law enforcement presence to “dominate the streets” and said he would respond with an “overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled.”
If governors were unable to end the violence, he said, he would send in the military “to do the job for them.”If governors were unable to end the violence, he said, he would send in the military “to do the job for them.”
Mr. Trump said he was among the Americans “rightly sickened and revolted” by the death of Mr. Floyd. But he spent most of his highly anticipated address presenting himself as the law and order president. “If a city or state refuses to take the actions necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them,” he said. Mr. Trump said he was among the Americans “rightly sickened and revolted” by the death of Mr. Floyd. But he spent most of his highly anticipated address presenting himself as a law and order president. “If a city or state refuses to take the actions necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them,” he said.
Immediately after his address, where he took no questions, police used tear gas and flash grenades to clear out the crowd so Mr. Trump could visit the nearby St. John’s Church, where there was a parish house basement fire Sunday night. The president stood in front of the boarded up church posing for photographs with a bible, after the police dispersed peaceful protesters. The Insurrection Act of 1807 allows for a president to deploy military forces on domestic soil to enforce the law. Experts said it was intended to be used for circumstances like a natural disaster. But presidents can unilaterally send in troops for domestic law enforcement purposes.
He called up a group of aides, including National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, Attorney General Bill Barr, his senior aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, to pose with him in front of the church. Just after Mr. Trump concluded his speech, military police from the National Guard clad in camouflage and riot shields surged in front of a line of law enforcement officers pushing protesters back from the mouth of Lafayette Square outside the White House.
Police used tear gas and flash grenades to clear out the crowd so Mr. Trump could visit the nearby St. John’s Church, where there was a parish house basement fire Sunday night. The president stood in front of the boarded up church posing for photographs with a bible, after the police dispersed peaceful protesters.
He called up a group of aides, including National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, Attorney General William P. Barr, his senior aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, to pose with him in front of the church.
Mr. Trump walked back to the White House after a few minutes. He did not respond to shouted questions from reporters. Other aides, including Ivanka Trump and Hope Hicks, accompanied him on the walk across the park.Mr. Trump walked back to the White House after a few minutes. He did not respond to shouted questions from reporters. Other aides, including Ivanka Trump and Hope Hicks, accompanied him on the walk across the park.
Mr. Trump said in his Rose Garden remarks that the vandalism that hit the nation’s capital over the weekend were “not acts of a peaceful process, but acts of terror, the destruction of peaceful life and the spilling of blood is against humanity.” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a New York Democrat, was quick to criticize the president in a news conference later Monday. “Calling out the American military for a photo opportunity. That’s what it was. I mean, it was shameful. It was really, truly shameful.”
Earlier in the day, Mr. Trump had berated America’s governors over their response to the protests across the nation, calling the protesters “terrorists,” demanding “retribution,” and warning the governors that they will look like “jerks” if they don’t order protesters arrested and imprisoned. Earlier in the day, Mr. Trump had berated America’s governors over their response to the protests across the nation, calling the protesters “terrorists,” demanding “retribution,” and warning the governors that they will look like “jerks” if they don’t order protesters arrested and imprisoned.
Speaking on a private conference call, audio of which was obtained by The New York Times, Mr. Trump began the conversation with an extended, angry diatribe.Speaking on a private conference call, audio of which was obtained by The New York Times, Mr. Trump began the conversation with an extended, angry diatribe.
“You have to dominate,” he told governors on the call. “If you don’t dominate, you’re wasting your time — they’re going to run over you, you’re going to look like a bunch of jerks.”“You have to dominate,” he told governors on the call. “If you don’t dominate, you’re wasting your time — they’re going to run over you, you’re going to look like a bunch of jerks.”
The president continued: “You have to arrest people, and you have to try people, and they have to go jail for long periods of time.”The president continued: “You have to arrest people, and you have to try people, and they have to go jail for long periods of time.”
Mr. Trump, who has not addressed the nation since the unrest began, said he was putting Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, “in charge,” but did not immediately specify what that meant or if he would deploy the military to quell the violence in the nation’s cities.Mr. Trump, who has not addressed the nation since the unrest began, said he was putting Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, “in charge,” but did not immediately specify what that meant or if he would deploy the military to quell the violence in the nation’s cities.
Alluding to television footage of violence and looting, Mr. Trump called the people committing those acts “scum” and demanded of the governors: “Why aren’t you prosecuting them?” In blunt remarks rarely heard from an American president, he prodded the governors not to be “too careful.”Alluding to television footage of violence and looting, Mr. Trump called the people committing those acts “scum” and demanded of the governors: “Why aren’t you prosecuting them?” In blunt remarks rarely heard from an American president, he prodded the governors not to be “too careful.”
Taking over a call that was supposed to feature Vice President Mike Pence, the president said Minnesota had become “a laughingstock all over the world.”Taking over a call that was supposed to feature Vice President Mike Pence, the president said Minnesota had become “a laughingstock all over the world.”
Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, who was on the call, said at a news conference afterward that he took exception to Mr. Trump’s remark. “I said no one is laughing here, we’re in pain,” Mr. Walz told reporters. “I also shared with the president that a posture of force on the ground is both unsustainable militarily — it’s also unsustainable socially, because it’s the antithesis of how we live.”Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, who was on the call, said at a news conference afterward that he took exception to Mr. Trump’s remark. “I said no one is laughing here, we’re in pain,” Mr. Walz told reporters. “I also shared with the president that a posture of force on the ground is both unsustainable militarily — it’s also unsustainable socially, because it’s the antithesis of how we live.”
Mr. Trump ordered the Army to deploy an active duty military police battalion for Washington, the one jurisdiction in the country where the Army can do so without first consulting the governor of a state, Defense Department officials said Monday. Mr. Trump said in his Rose Garden remarks that the vandalism that hit the nation’s capital over the weekend involved “acts of terror,” and added that “the destruction of peaceful life and the spilling of blood is against humanity and God.”
The president ordered the Army to deploy an active duty military police battalion for Washington, the one jurisdiction in the country where the Army can do so without first consulting the governor of a state, Defense Department officials said Monday.
The deployment of the military police unit — some 200 to 500 troops, from Fort Bragg, NC — is a sharp escalation in the response to riots and protests that have erupted over the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police.The deployment of the military police unit — some 200 to 500 troops, from Fort Bragg, NC — is a sharp escalation in the response to riots and protests that have erupted over the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police.
Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota had declined Mr. Trump’s offer of military police to respond to protests in his state, and other governors have followed his lead as well, instead choosing to rely on their own national guard troops. But in Washington, the decision to deploy military police falls into the jurisdiction of Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, and Mr. Trump made clear, Defense officials said, that he wanted the Pentagon to push back forcefully against protests in the nation’s capital.Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota had declined Mr. Trump’s offer of military police to respond to protests in his state, and other governors have followed his lead as well, instead choosing to rely on their own national guard troops. But in Washington, the decision to deploy military police falls into the jurisdiction of Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, and Mr. Trump made clear, Defense officials said, that he wanted the Pentagon to push back forcefully against protests in the nation’s capital.
The decision is “all Potus,” one Defense Department official said using the acronym for president of the United States.The decision is “all Potus,” one Defense Department official said using the acronym for president of the United States.
The deployment, first reported by CNN, will be to provide security, not law enforcement, Defense officials said, but it is unclear how the two functions will remain separate.The deployment, first reported by CNN, will be to provide security, not law enforcement, Defense officials said, but it is unclear how the two functions will remain separate.
Mr. Barr also has stepped up the response from federal law enforcement. According to Justice Department officials, the attorney general summoned hostage rescue teams to Washington around midnight on Sunday, and the department said it would increase the presence of federal law enforcement in the city again on Monday night.
Mr. Barr also directed the Bureau of Prisons to send Special Operation Response teams, or riot teams, to the capital.
Two autopsies released on Monday agreed: George Floyd’s death was a homicide.Two autopsies released on Monday agreed: George Floyd’s death was a homicide.
But the autopsies, one by a government agency and one by doctors working with the Floyd family, differed over the specific causes of death and whether there were contributing factors beyond the Minneapolis police officer kneeling on his neck.But the autopsies, one by a government agency and one by doctors working with the Floyd family, differed over the specific causes of death and whether there were contributing factors beyond the Minneapolis police officer kneeling on his neck.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office said Mr. Floyd had died of “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.” The medical examiner also cited significant contributing conditions, saying that Mr. Floyd suffered from heart disease, and was high on fentanyl and had recently used methamphetamine at the time of his death.The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office said Mr. Floyd had died of “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.” The medical examiner also cited significant contributing conditions, saying that Mr. Floyd suffered from heart disease, and was high on fentanyl and had recently used methamphetamine at the time of his death.
The coroner’s conclusions differed from the results of a private autopsy commissioned by Mr. Floyd’s family, which was released a few hours earlier. That autopsy said Mr. Floyd died not just because of the Minneapolis police officer’s knee lodged at his neck, but also because of the other officers who helped hold him down.The coroner’s conclusions differed from the results of a private autopsy commissioned by Mr. Floyd’s family, which was released a few hours earlier. That autopsy said Mr. Floyd died not just because of the Minneapolis police officer’s knee lodged at his neck, but also because of the other officers who helped hold him down.
Dr. Allecia M. Wilson of the University of Michigan and Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, were hired by Mr. Floyd’s family to help determine his cause of death. Dr. Baden said their autopsy “shows that Mr. Floyd had no underlying medical problem that caused or contributed to his death.”Dr. Allecia M. Wilson of the University of Michigan and Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, were hired by Mr. Floyd’s family to help determine his cause of death. Dr. Baden said their autopsy “shows that Mr. Floyd had no underlying medical problem that caused or contributed to his death.”
Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who was seen in a video kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck — even after Mr. Floyd lost consciousness — has been charged with third-degree murder. Antonio Romanucci, a lawyer for the family, said that the weight of two other police officers on Mr. Floyd’s back had prevented blood from reaching his brain and air from reaching his lungs.Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who was seen in a video kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck — even after Mr. Floyd lost consciousness — has been charged with third-degree murder. Antonio Romanucci, a lawyer for the family, said that the weight of two other police officers on Mr. Floyd’s back had prevented blood from reaching his brain and air from reaching his lungs.
Chief Medaria Arradondo of the Minneapolis Police Department said in an interview with CNN on Sunday that three former officers who were present when Mr. Chauvin kneeled on Mr. Floyd’s neck — and who did not intervene — were complicit in his death.Chief Medaria Arradondo of the Minneapolis Police Department said in an interview with CNN on Sunday that three former officers who were present when Mr. Chauvin kneeled on Mr. Floyd’s neck — and who did not intervene — were complicit in his death.
A week after George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, daytime demonstrations focused on racism and police brutality are increasingly giving way to violence and chaos by night, fueling tensions over the direction of a protest movement that has unfurled in sprawling fashion in dozens of cities across the United States.
Several people have been killed or wounded in shootings linked to the unrest, and looters have raided neighborhood shops and upscale commercial districts from Santa Monica, Calif., to Boston, as a sixth day of largely peaceful protests descended into lawlessness.
President Trump, who has been besieged by protests and fires outside the White House, took a hard line on Monday in a call with state governors. “You have to arrest people,” the president said, warning that governors would look like “jerks” if they did not crack down.
The unrest and the race to control it have come when the country was already grappling with a pandemic that has killed more than 100,000 people and an economic collapse that has put millions out of work. National Guard troops have been deployed to help overwhelmed police departments in about half the states, and dozens of mayors have imposed curfews in the hope of heading off violence.
But as residents and business owners across the country awoke on Monday to sweep and scrub the latest damage away, many expressed a determination not to let destruction define the narrative — a sentiment was shared by Mr. Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd, who expressed concern that the violence would overshadow calls for justice.
After thousands of demonstrators fanned across New York City for a fourth night, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said the city would be put under a curfew.After thousands of demonstrators fanned across New York City for a fourth night, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said the city would be put under a curfew.
The curfew, which Mr. Cuomo announced in a radio interview, will be in effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.The curfew, which Mr. Cuomo announced in a radio interview, will be in effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“In New York City, I spoke with the mayor, there’s going to be a curfew in New York City that we think could be helpful,” Mr. Cuomo said on Monday. “More importantly, there is going to be an increase in the force.”“In New York City, I spoke with the mayor, there’s going to be a curfew in New York City that we think could be helpful,” Mr. Cuomo said on Monday. “More importantly, there is going to be an increase in the force.”
“There were about 4,000 officers on duty last night,” he said. “There’ll be double that tonight, about 8,000.”“There were about 4,000 officers on duty last night,” he said. “There’ll be double that tonight, about 8,000.”
Curfews were imposed in dozens of cities over the weekend, but the tactic was particularly striking for New York City’s eight million residents, who have been under severe lockdown orders because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed thousands of city residents. Just as the city was getting ready to cautiously reopen on June 8, the protests injected a new factor of unease, coming with not only police confrontations and widespread looting, but also fears that the virus was spreading in the crowds.Curfews were imposed in dozens of cities over the weekend, but the tactic was particularly striking for New York City’s eight million residents, who have been under severe lockdown orders because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed thousands of city residents. Just as the city was getting ready to cautiously reopen on June 8, the protests injected a new factor of unease, coming with not only police confrontations and widespread looting, but also fears that the virus was spreading in the crowds.
A day of largely peaceful protests on Sunday turned into jarring scenes of chaos across the city. Flames nearly two stories high leapt from trash cans and piles of street debris, sending acrid smoke into the air around Union Square. Stores in the trendy SoHo neighborhood were targeted for the second night in a row. And all night long, sirens screamed across the city, with multiple reports of lootings in Lower Manhattan.A day of largely peaceful protests on Sunday turned into jarring scenes of chaos across the city. Flames nearly two stories high leapt from trash cans and piles of street debris, sending acrid smoke into the air around Union Square. Stores in the trendy SoHo neighborhood were targeted for the second night in a row. And all night long, sirens screamed across the city, with multiple reports of lootings in Lower Manhattan.
The mayor also walked back earlier comments that appeared to criticize protesters who were rammed with police vehicles during a protest in Brooklyn, in an encounter captured on video that was shared widely over the weekend.The mayor also walked back earlier comments that appeared to criticize protesters who were rammed with police vehicles during a protest in Brooklyn, in an encounter captured on video that was shared widely over the weekend.
Mr. de Blasio, who was first elected to office on a platform of police reform, had drawn heavy criticism for his earlier remarks, in which he called for an investigation but also seemed to blame protesters.Mr. de Blasio, who was first elected to office on a platform of police reform, had drawn heavy criticism for his earlier remarks, in which he called for an investigation but also seemed to blame protesters.
“There is no situation where a police vehicle should drive into a crowd of protesters or New Yorkers,” Mr. de Blasio said during a news conference on Monday.“There is no situation where a police vehicle should drive into a crowd of protesters or New Yorkers,” Mr. de Blasio said during a news conference on Monday.
He walked, slowly, up to the scene where a white police officer had knelt on his brother’s neck, a place now covered in flowers and chalk drawings. He knelt down himself, his knees buckling, and he let out a wail of anguish.He walked, slowly, up to the scene where a white police officer had knelt on his brother’s neck, a place now covered in flowers and chalk drawings. He knelt down himself, his knees buckling, and he let out a wail of anguish.
On Monday afternoon, Terrence Floyd became the first member of George Floyd’s family to visit the place where his brother lived his last conscious moments. He had said in a television interview earlier on Monday that he wanted to feel George’s spirit after days of feeling numb.On Monday afternoon, Terrence Floyd became the first member of George Floyd’s family to visit the place where his brother lived his last conscious moments. He had said in a television interview earlier on Monday that he wanted to feel George’s spirit after days of feeling numb.
But Mr. Floyd, wearing a face mask with his brother’s face on it, also had a message. He understood people were upset. He doubted those protesting were half as upset as he was. Yet what he had seen in recent days troubled him.But Mr. Floyd, wearing a face mask with his brother’s face on it, also had a message. He understood people were upset. He doubted those protesting were half as upset as he was. Yet what he had seen in recent days troubled him.
“If I’m not over here wilding out, if I’m not over here blowing up stuff, if I’m not over here messing up my community, then what are y’all doing? What are y’all doing?” he said through a megaphone at the memorial on Monday. “Y’all are doing nothing. Because that’s not going to bring my brother back at all.”“If I’m not over here wilding out, if I’m not over here blowing up stuff, if I’m not over here messing up my community, then what are y’all doing? What are y’all doing?” he said through a megaphone at the memorial on Monday. “Y’all are doing nothing. Because that’s not going to bring my brother back at all.”
He said the cycle of anguish, protest and destruction that has followed many police killings has not changed the country for the better. Instead, he said, people should inform themselves and vote.He said the cycle of anguish, protest and destruction that has followed many police killings has not changed the country for the better. Instead, he said, people should inform themselves and vote.
“Educate yourself and know who you are voting for,” Mr. Floyd said. “That’s how we are going to hit them. Because there’s a lot of us.”“Educate yourself and know who you are voting for,” Mr. Floyd said. “That’s how we are going to hit them. Because there’s a lot of us.”
His visit to the memorial, which lasted more than 30 minutes, was tense, at times, as the news media swarmed him as he exited his vehicle, trampling some flowers and signs, despite calls to give Mr. Floyd space.His visit to the memorial, which lasted more than 30 minutes, was tense, at times, as the news media swarmed him as he exited his vehicle, trampling some flowers and signs, despite calls to give Mr. Floyd space.
While there were times of quiet — when Mr. Floyd knelt, there was near silence — the visit was mostly filled with chants for peace, justice and remembrance of George Floyd’s name long after the demonstrations have ebbed.While there were times of quiet — when Mr. Floyd knelt, there was near silence — the visit was mostly filled with chants for peace, justice and remembrance of George Floyd’s name long after the demonstrations have ebbed.
A white bar owner who fatally shot a young black man amid rioting in Omaha acted in self-defense, a prosecutor said on Monday, announcing that no charges would be filed in the incident.
The announcement prompted many employers in Omaha, which is already under a curfew, to send people home early for fear of renewed violence. People who work downtown said on social media the streets were almost empty by late afternoon, and that the police had urged businesses to board up storefronts.
The bar owner, Jake Gardner, shot the black man, James Scurlock, 22, on Saturday night, in an area of downtown Omaha where businesses had been vandalized that night. Mr. Gardner and his father were outside his business, The Hive, urging people to leave it alone, when they clashed with several young men.
Donald W. Kleine, the Douglas County Attorney, showed videos at a news conference that he said clearly supported the decision not to prosecute. Much of what had been said about the incident has been reckless and contradicted by the evidence, he said, including claims that the shooting was unprovoked and that the incident featured racially charged language.
One of the videos, from a security camera outside a neighboring business, shows an older man, identified by Mr. Kleine as Mr. Gardner’s father, pushing one of the young men twice. Then another of the young men was seen delivering a running hit on the older man, sending him sprawling.
A short cellphone video captured some of what followed, including Mr. Gardner’s lifting his shirt to show that he had a pistol in his waistband. One of the other men says, “Oh, he got a gun on him,” but the video stops before the lethal confrontation.
In the security camera video, Mr. Gardner can be seen backing away from the men for several yards until two of them tackled him into a puddle in the street. Almost immediately, he fired his gun, the young men got up and ran, and he fired after them.
As Mr. Gardner began to stand up, a man Mr. Kleine identified as Mr. Scurlock jumped on Mr. Gardner, knocked him down again and, the prosecutor said, “maintains a chokehold around his neck.”
The video shows them grappling for about 15 seconds before Mr. Gardner fired his third shot, striking Mr. Scurlock in the collarbone.
The mayor of Louisville fired the city’s police chief on Monday, after the owner of a local barbecue restaurant was killed when police officers and National Guard troops shot toward protesters.The mayor of Louisville fired the city’s police chief on Monday, after the owner of a local barbecue restaurant was killed when police officers and National Guard troops shot toward protesters.
Mayor Greg Fischer said at a news conference that he had fired Chief Steven Conrad after learning that officers’ body cameras were not activated during the shooting, which took place shortly after midnight.Mayor Greg Fischer said at a news conference that he had fired Chief Steven Conrad after learning that officers’ body cameras were not activated during the shooting, which took place shortly after midnight.
Deputy Chief Robert Schroeder, who took over as chief, said on Monday that two Louisville police officers and two Guard soldiers fired their weapons after hearing gunshots coming from a crowd of protesters who were out after the city’s curfew. He said it was not immediately clear whether the restaurant owner was killed by the police and soldiers or by whoever had fired from the crowd.Deputy Chief Robert Schroeder, who took over as chief, said on Monday that two Louisville police officers and two Guard soldiers fired their weapons after hearing gunshots coming from a crowd of protesters who were out after the city’s curfew. He said it was not immediately clear whether the restaurant owner was killed by the police and soldiers or by whoever had fired from the crowd.
The police identified the man who was killed as David McAtee, 53, who sold barbecue in the neighborhood where the encounter took place.The police identified the man who was killed as David McAtee, 53, who sold barbecue in the neighborhood where the encounter took place.
“Everybody in West Louisville bought barbecue from this man — everyone knows him,” said Denise Bentley, a former longtime city councilwoman from the area.“Everybody in West Louisville bought barbecue from this man — everyone knows him,” said Denise Bentley, a former longtime city councilwoman from the area.
Mr. Conrad, the fired chief, said last month that he would resign by the end of June, after the force he led was embroiled in controversy over another fatal shooting by police, the killing of Breonna Taylor in her home by officers executing a “no-knock” search warrant.Mr. Conrad, the fired chief, said last month that he would resign by the end of June, after the force he led was embroiled in controversy over another fatal shooting by police, the killing of Breonna Taylor in her home by officers executing a “no-knock” search warrant.
Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky initiated a state police investigation of the latest shooting. The police released video from a nearby security camera and audio from dispatchers’ calls.Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky initiated a state police investigation of the latest shooting. The police released video from a nearby security camera and audio from dispatchers’ calls.
Mr. Conrad was not the only law enforcement official to lose his post on Monday in connection with protest response. A Florida prosecutor was fired over a social media post that referred to protesters as “animals.”Mr. Conrad was not the only law enforcement official to lose his post on Monday in connection with protest response. A Florida prosecutor was fired over a social media post that referred to protesters as “animals.”
“The views expressed in that posting are entirely inconsistent with the ideals and principles of the Broward State Attorney’s Office and the duties and responsibilities of an assistant state attorney,” the office said in a statement.“The views expressed in that posting are entirely inconsistent with the ideals and principles of the Broward State Attorney’s Office and the duties and responsibilities of an assistant state attorney,” the office said in a statement.
Reporters and news photographers say they are being roughed up by the police, shot with projectiles and arrested while covering demonstrations against racism and police brutality across the country. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker and a writer for the Bellingcat website have each tracked about 100 instances of reporters being harassed or injured at the protests.Reporters and news photographers say they are being roughed up by the police, shot with projectiles and arrested while covering demonstrations against racism and police brutality across the country. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker and a writer for the Bellingcat website have each tracked about 100 instances of reporters being harassed or injured at the protests.
In interviews, reporters said they had identified themselves as members of the press before police drew their weapons or pepper-sprayed them.In interviews, reporters said they had identified themselves as members of the press before police drew their weapons or pepper-sprayed them.
Tyler Blint-Welsh, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, said he was hit multiple times by police officers while covering a protest in New York on Sunday. “I was backing away as request, with my hands up,” Mr. Blint-Welsh, who is black, wrote on Twitter. “My NYPD-issued press badge was clearly visible.”Tyler Blint-Welsh, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, said he was hit multiple times by police officers while covering a protest in New York on Sunday. “I was backing away as request, with my hands up,” Mr. Blint-Welsh, who is black, wrote on Twitter. “My NYPD-issued press badge was clearly visible.”
Andrea May Sahouri, a reporter for The Des Moines Register, was pepper-sprayed and handcuffed with zip-ties after identifying herself as a journalist while covering a protest at a Des Moines mall on Sunday evening. She streamed video live from the back of a police vehicle, and was later released.Andrea May Sahouri, a reporter for The Des Moines Register, was pepper-sprayed and handcuffed with zip-ties after identifying herself as a journalist while covering a protest at a Des Moines mall on Sunday evening. She streamed video live from the back of a police vehicle, and was later released.
The arrest of journalists covering demonstrations and riots is common in autocratic countries, but has been rare in the United States, where freedom of the press is protected by the First Amendment.The arrest of journalists covering demonstrations and riots is common in autocratic countries, but has been rare in the United States, where freedom of the press is protected by the First Amendment.
Many reporters, photographers and press advocates said the treatment of journalists by police officers in the last week reflected an erosion of trust in the news media that has seeped into law enforcement under President Trump, who has deemed critical coverage of his administration “fake news” and has frequently labeled some news organizations and journalists with variants of the phrase “enemies of the people.”Many reporters, photographers and press advocates said the treatment of journalists by police officers in the last week reflected an erosion of trust in the news media that has seeped into law enforcement under President Trump, who has deemed critical coverage of his administration “fake news” and has frequently labeled some news organizations and journalists with variants of the phrase “enemies of the people.”
On Sunday, Mr. Trump blamed the news media for the protests in a tweet, calling journalists “truly bad people with a sick agenda.”On Sunday, Mr. Trump blamed the news media for the protests in a tweet, calling journalists “truly bad people with a sick agenda.”
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who had been staying at home because of the coronavirus epidemic, emerged on Monday to meet with parishioners and community leaders at a black church in Delaware.Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who had been staying at home because of the coronavirus epidemic, emerged on Monday to meet with parishioners and community leaders at a black church in Delaware.
The morning event at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilmington was part listening session, part campaign speech and part forum for members of the city’s black community to express their collective anguish over the death of George Floyd.The morning event at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilmington was part listening session, part campaign speech and part forum for members of the city’s black community to express their collective anguish over the death of George Floyd.
For about an hour, Mr. Biden sat silently at the front of the church, a surgical mask covering his face, taking notes as speaker after speaker expressed versions of the same message: We support you, but you need to do more.For about an hour, Mr. Biden sat silently at the front of the church, a surgical mask covering his face, taking notes as speaker after speaker expressed versions of the same message: We support you, but you need to do more.
“Anger just doesn’t come out of nowhere,” Eugene Young, president of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, said at the event, referring to the protests against police brutality that have gripped cities across the country. “This anger comes from the fact that you have people in our community that feel as though the knee has been on their back for a long time.”“Anger just doesn’t come out of nowhere,” Eugene Young, president of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, said at the event, referring to the protests against police brutality that have gripped cities across the country. “This anger comes from the fact that you have people in our community that feel as though the knee has been on their back for a long time.”
Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, Democrat of Delaware, had to pause to collect herself while recalling an exchange the night before with a 23-year-old protester in Wilmington.Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, Democrat of Delaware, had to pause to collect herself while recalling an exchange the night before with a 23-year-old protester in Wilmington.
“He used the term ‘I’m standing my ground,’ which broke my heart, and then he said, ‘I’m willing to die,’” Ms. Rochester said, her voice rising. “And he said, ‘I have so much rage.’ And I said: ‘How old are you? What’s your name? How old are you?’ And I just tried to hold him, Covid or not!”“He used the term ‘I’m standing my ground,’ which broke my heart, and then he said, ‘I’m willing to die,’” Ms. Rochester said, her voice rising. “And he said, ‘I have so much rage.’ And I said: ‘How old are you? What’s your name? How old are you?’ And I just tried to hold him, Covid or not!”
After hearing out the other speakers, Mr. Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, said he did not take black voters for granted and that he was putting together a detailed set of policy proposals to address their concerns.After hearing out the other speakers, Mr. Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, said he did not take black voters for granted and that he was putting together a detailed set of policy proposals to address their concerns.
He said he believed that the events of the past few months — including the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on black communities and, now, the outpouring of anger over the killing of Mr. Floyd — would force more Americans to confront institutional racism.He said he believed that the events of the past few months — including the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on black communities and, now, the outpouring of anger over the killing of Mr. Floyd — would force more Americans to confront institutional racism.
“Ordinary folks who don’t think of themselves as having a prejudiced bone in their body, don’t think of themselves as racist, have kind of had the mask pulled off,” Mr. Biden said.“Ordinary folks who don’t think of themselves as having a prejudiced bone in their body, don’t think of themselves as racist, have kind of had the mask pulled off,” Mr. Biden said.
A series of memorial services for George Floyd will be held this week and next week in Minnesota, North Carolina and Texas, followed by his funeral in the Houston area next Tuesday, the family’s lead lawyer said Monday.
Mr. Floyd, 46, was born in North Carolina, grew up in Houston, and moved to the Minneapolis area a few years ago.
On Thursday, a memorial service for Mr. Floyd will be held in Minneapolis from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturday, another service will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in North Carolina. Next week, on Monday evening, a public viewing is planned for Mr. Floyd in the Houston area, followed by his funeral at 11 a.m. the next day, said the lawyer, Benjamin Crump.
The funeral arrangements were announced Monday at a news conference at which representatives for the Floyd family revealed the results of a private autopsy, which found that Mr. Floyd’s death while in police custody was a homicide. His death, the autopsy concluded, was caused by asphyxia from neck and back pressure that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain.
Later Monday, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office in Minnesota released its report on Mr. Floyd. It also ruled his death a homicide, but differed with the private autopsy on the causes of death and other important complications.
Earlier on Monday, the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, told reporters that the memorial service in his state on Thursday would be a “significant event,” for Minneapolis and the country, “to watch that process of celebrating a life that was taken in front of us.”
In Houston, the police chief, Art Acevedo, who has marched with demonstrators and changed the Houston Police Department’s Twitter profile picture to an image of Mr. Floyd and the hashtag #JusticeForFloyd, said he offered to have his officers escort the body.
“We’ve reached out to the family,” Chief Acevedo said in an interview on Sunday. “Depending on their plans, if they need help with the movement of the body, we’ve offered to provide that security.”
Attorney General William P. Barr is stepping up the response from federal law enforcement to the turmoil in Washington, according to Justice Department officials, as the capital braced for more demonstrations.
Mr. Barr summoned hostage rescue teams to Washington around midnight on Sunday, and the department said it would increase the presence of federal law enforcement in the city again on Monday night. Mr. Barr also directed the Bureau of Prisons to send Special Operation Response teams, or riot teams, to the capital.
Smoke could be seen on Sunday evening rising from the Washington Monument as police fired tear gas and flash grenades to disperse protesters in the area. Windows of prominent buildings were smashed, and vandals overturned cars and set fires. A curfew from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. did little to deter crowds from clashing violently with riot police officers in Lafayette Square, a small park beside the White House.
On Monday morning, workers tried to paint over graffiti and clean up after the tumultuous night. A section of Connecticut Avenue that would ordinarily be bustling with lawyers and lobbyists was barren on Monday except for construction crews sweeping up chunks of glass and surveying damage.
The White House was darkened on Sunday evening, adding to the impression of a president under siege. Secret Service agents rushed President Trump on Friday to a bunker beneath the White House that has been used during terrorist attacks.
Mr. Trump sought on Monday to blame the anti-fascist movement antifa for violence across the country, and urged his supporters to look forward to the November election. State officials have said there were signs that the violence was being instigated by white supremacists and others on the far right.
Days of protest and nights of unrest are giving way each dawn to a new ritual in America, as residents of the nation’s biggest cities awake to assess the damage and begin the sometimes heartbreaking and healing work of cleaning up.
Business owners in Minneapolis began a new week sifting through the remnants of their livelihoods, disintegrated in flames. Philadelphians turned out to sweep and scrub the previous night’s damage away. And in Boston, where commercial districts were peppered with shattered glass on Monday morning, a radio announcer’s voice echoed out like a collective sigh of relief and exhaustion: “It’s June 1st, and Boston made it through the night.”
On Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, looters had circled retail areas in cars until about 5 a.m., according to José Penaranda, a building manager who tried to protect merchandise from being stolen from the Back Bay Bicycles store. By the time the sun rose, the store’s door had been smashed and looters had left bicycles scattered in the street.
“I talked to the police — they said, ‘We can’t even keep up with the calls,’” Mr. Penaranda said. “They couldn’t do much.”
Not far away, Bryan Ramey, a manager at a Diesel store, was sweeping up broken glass Monday morning. He said the looters had been selective and methodical in their choice of targets: A driver would remain in a vehicle outside while others brought out “armfuls of stuff.” They returned late at night and cleared the office of equipment, including a modem, a safe and a security system, in an act of looting that he said seemed unrelated to the protests.
“I’m all for protesting, even rioting when you feel you should fight the power,” he said. “But theft for theft’s sake is just taking advantage of a situation that’s already bad.”
Anita Harrison, who is from the predominantly black neighborhood of Roxbury, went to an upscale commercial strip on Newbury Street in Boston on Monday, offering to clean up. Standing in front of a shattered North Face store, she said she felt sad.
“This is not the answer,” she said. “It’s just people coming out looking for trouble. Like we’re not in enough trouble already.”
The Times has reconstructed the death of George Floyd on May 25. Security footage, witness videos and official documents show how a series of actions by police officers turned fatal.
Reporting was contributed by Rachel Abrams, Kim Barker, Ellen Barry, Katie Benner, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Julie Bosman, John Eligon, Richard Fausset, Tess Felder, Manny Fernandez, Matt Furber, Russell Goldman, Jack Healy, Javier C. Hernández, Annie Karni, Neil MacFarquhar, Patricia Mazzei, Sarah Mervosh, Shawn McCreesh, Benjamin Mueller, Jack Nicas, Elian Peltier, Richard Pérez-Peña, Frances Robles, Katie Rogers, Rick Rojas, Marc Santora, Dionne Searcey, Thom Shanker, Mark Tracy and Mihir Zaveri.Reporting was contributed by Rachel Abrams, Kim Barker, Ellen Barry, Katie Benner, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Julie Bosman, John Eligon, Richard Fausset, Tess Felder, Manny Fernandez, Matt Furber, Russell Goldman, Jack Healy, Javier C. Hernández, Annie Karni, Neil MacFarquhar, Patricia Mazzei, Sarah Mervosh, Shawn McCreesh, Benjamin Mueller, Jack Nicas, Elian Peltier, Richard Pérez-Peña, Frances Robles, Katie Rogers, Rick Rojas, Marc Santora, Dionne Searcey, Thom Shanker, Mark Tracy and Mihir Zaveri.