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George Floyd protests: Barr reportedly made order that led to violent removal of peaceful protesters – live George Floyd protests: Barr reportedly made order that led to violent removal of peaceful protesters – live
(32 minutes later)
Attorney general demanded perimeter around White House be extended, according to a Washington Post reportAttorney general demanded perimeter around White House be extended, according to a Washington Post report
The acting chief of the US Park Police denied using tear gas on protesters near the White House yesterday, although he acknowledged the use of “smoke canisters and pepper balls” on the demonstrators.
“As many of the protestors became more combative, continued to throw projectiles, and attempted to grab officers’ weapons, officers then employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls,” USPP acting Chief Gregory T Monahan said in a statement.
“No tear gas was used by USPP officers or other assisting law enforcement partners to close the area at Lafayette Park. Subsequently, the fence was installed.”
Monahan’s statement concludes, “The USPP will always support peaceful assembly but cannot tolerate violence to citizens or officers or damage to our nation’s resources that we are entrusted to protect.”
Numerous journalists who were at the protest said the demonstration appeared to be very peaceful in the moments before law enforcement officials started to forcibly remove them.
Trump mocked Joe Biden as “politically weak” and once again referred to protesters as “thugs,” despite widespread criticism of his use of the term last week.Trump mocked Joe Biden as “politically weak” and once again referred to protesters as “thugs,” despite widespread criticism of his use of the term last week.
“Sleepy Joe has been in politics for 40 years, and did nothing,” the president said of his Democratic opponent. “Now he pretends to have the answers. He doesn’t even know the questions. Weakness will never beat anarchists, looters or thugs, and Joe has been politically weak all of his life. LAW & ORDER!”“Sleepy Joe has been in politics for 40 years, and did nothing,” the president said of his Democratic opponent. “Now he pretends to have the answers. He doesn’t even know the questions. Weakness will never beat anarchists, looters or thugs, and Joe has been politically weak all of his life. LAW & ORDER!”
The tweet came less than an hour after Trump’s reelection campaign sent an email referring to Biden as the “Architect of Mass Incarceration,” referencing his role in the passage of the 1994 crime bill.The tweet came less than an hour after Trump’s reelection campaign sent an email referring to Biden as the “Architect of Mass Incarceration,” referencing his role in the passage of the 1994 crime bill.
“Biden hasn’t just stoked America’s racial divisions over the course of his decades in Washington,” the campaign said. “Biden was the chief architect of mass incarceration and the War on Drugs, which targeted Black Americans.”“Biden hasn’t just stoked America’s racial divisions over the course of his decades in Washington,” the campaign said. “Biden was the chief architect of mass incarceration and the War on Drugs, which targeted Black Americans.”
Earlier today, Biden delivered remarks in Philadelphia criticizing Trump for his handling of the George Floyd protests. “The president of the United States must be part of the solution, not the problem. This president today is part of the problem and accelerates it,” Biden said.Earlier today, Biden delivered remarks in Philadelphia criticizing Trump for his handling of the George Floyd protests. “The president of the United States must be part of the solution, not the problem. This president today is part of the problem and accelerates it,” Biden said.
Military trucks were seen driving down the streets of downtown Washington, as protesters began assembling for another demonstration in honor of George Floyd, a day after a peaceful crowd was forcibly dispersed using tear gas.Military trucks were seen driving down the streets of downtown Washington, as protesters began assembling for another demonstration in honor of George Floyd, a day after a peaceful crowd was forcibly dispersed using tear gas.
The city’s curfew is set to go into effect in about three hours, and the crowd of protesters outside of Lafayette Park, near the White House, is continuing to grow.The city’s curfew is set to go into effect in about three hours, and the crowd of protesters outside of Lafayette Park, near the White House, is continuing to grow.
In a bit of news related to the coronavirus pandemic, North Carolina governor Roy Cooper said Republicans should prepare for a “scaled-down convention” in August.In a bit of news related to the coronavirus pandemic, North Carolina governor Roy Cooper said Republicans should prepare for a “scaled-down convention” in August.
“The people of North Carolina do not know what the status of COVID-19 will be in August, so planning for a scaled-down convention with fewer people, social distancing and face coverings is a necessity,” Cooper said in a letter to the top convention organizer and the RNC chairwoman.“The people of North Carolina do not know what the status of COVID-19 will be in August, so planning for a scaled-down convention with fewer people, social distancing and face coverings is a necessity,” Cooper said in a letter to the top convention organizer and the RNC chairwoman.
The letter will likely anger Trump, who has demanded a “guarantee” of a full-scale convention from Cooper, even as health officials have warned such an event could lead to the spread of coronavirus.The letter will likely anger Trump, who has demanded a “guarantee” of a full-scale convention from Cooper, even as health officials have warned such an event could lead to the spread of coronavirus.
The president has threatened to hold the convention elsewhere if Cooper did not agree to a full-scale convention, and Republicans have started considering other possible cities for the event.The president has threatened to hold the convention elsewhere if Cooper did not agree to a full-scale convention, and Republicans have started considering other possible cities for the event.
According to Politico, Republican officials will make a trip to Nashville later this week to determine whether the city could host the convention. They are also considering Las Vegas; Orlando, Florida; Jacksonville, Forida; and Georgia as potential sites.According to Politico, Republican officials will make a trip to Nashville later this week to determine whether the city could host the convention. They are also considering Las Vegas; Orlando, Florida; Jacksonville, Forida; and Georgia as potential sites.
The Minnesota department of human rights has filed a formal civil rights racial discrimination charge against the Minneapolis Police Department.The Minnesota department of human rights has filed a formal civil rights racial discrimination charge against the Minneapolis Police Department.
The state cites “unlawful race-based policing” in the death of George Floyd, an African American man who died after being knelt on for almost nine minutes on the Memorial Day holiday, May 25, by a white police officer who has since been fired and charged with murder. Three other officers involved were fired but have not yet been detained or charged.The state cites “unlawful race-based policing” in the death of George Floyd, an African American man who died after being knelt on for almost nine minutes on the Memorial Day holiday, May 25, by a white police officer who has since been fired and charged with murder. Three other officers involved were fired but have not yet been detained or charged.
Governor Tim Walz announced the filing at a news conference this afternoon.Governor Tim Walz announced the filing at a news conference this afternoon.
The department enforces the state’s human rights act, the AP reports, particularly as it applies to discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations and public services.The department enforces the state’s human rights act, the AP reports, particularly as it applies to discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations and public services.
Mediation is one of its first-choice tools, but the cases it files can lead to fuller investigations and sometimes end up in litigation.Mediation is one of its first-choice tools, but the cases it files can lead to fuller investigations and sometimes end up in litigation.
The Minneapolis Police Department has faced decades of allegations of brutality and other discrimination against African Americans and other minorities, even within the department itself.The Minneapolis Police Department has faced decades of allegations of brutality and other discrimination against African Americans and other minorities, even within the department itself.
Critics say its culture resists change, despite the elevation of Medaria Arradondo as its first black police chief, in 2017.Critics say its culture resists change, despite the elevation of Medaria Arradondo as its first black police chief, in 2017.
Arradondo himself was among five black officers who sued the police department in 2007 over alleged discrimination in promotions, pay, and discipline.Arradondo himself was among five black officers who sued the police department in 2007 over alleged discrimination in promotions, pay, and discipline.
They said in their lawsuit that the department had a history of tolerating racism and discrimination. The city eventually settled the lawsuit for $740,000.They said in their lawsuit that the department had a history of tolerating racism and discrimination. The city eventually settled the lawsuit for $740,000.
The State of Minnesota has filed a civil rights charge against the Minneapolis Police Department in relation to the death of George Floyd under the knee of a police officer on Memorial Day, the Associated Press reports.The State of Minnesota has filed a civil rights charge against the Minneapolis Police Department in relation to the death of George Floyd under the knee of a police officer on Memorial Day, the Associated Press reports.
The event of Floyd’s death, which was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner after his autopsy, has sparked fierce protests in Minneapolis and across the nation.The event of Floyd’s death, which was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner after his autopsy, has sparked fierce protests in Minneapolis and across the nation.
This news is breaking now, we’ll bring you more details in moments.This news is breaking now, we’ll bring you more details in moments.
Clip and save this for the future: Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell declined to criticize Trump for his handling of the George Floyd protests.Clip and save this for the future: Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell declined to criticize Trump for his handling of the George Floyd protests.
A day after protesters near the White House were forcibly removed using tear gas, McConnell said of Trump, “I’m not going to critique other people’s performances.”A day after protesters near the White House were forcibly removed using tear gas, McConnell said of Trump, “I’m not going to critique other people’s performances.”
Asked whether he was comfortable with what occurred in Washington yesterday, McConnell again dodged the question.Asked whether he was comfortable with what occurred in Washington yesterday, McConnell again dodged the question.
“I’m relieved that there were few to no injuries last night, apparently little to no looting,” McConnell said.“I’m relieved that there were few to no injuries last night, apparently little to no looting,” McConnell said.
A Facebook software engineer has resigned over Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to allow Donald Trump to use the platform to threaten violence against protesters, an escalation in the unprecedented display of dissension roiling the company.Timothy J Aveni announced his resignation Monday on Facebook and LinkedIn, as hundreds of other Facebook employees were engaging in a “virtual walkout” or speaking out against Zuckerberg’s decision on Twitter.“Mark always told us that he would draw the line at speech that calls for violence,” Aveni wrote. “He showed us on Friday that this was a lie.”Aveni connected Facebook’s accommodation of Trump’s violent rhetoric to the company’s track record in Asia, where Facebook has been implicated in ethnic cleansing in Myanmar, mob violence in Sri Lanka and the rise of a demagogue in the Philippines.“Facebook, complicit in the propagation of weaponized hatred, is on the wrong side of history,” he wrote. “Facebook is providing a platform that enables politicians to radicalize individuals and glorify violence, and we are watching the United States succumb to the same kind of social media-fueled division that has gotten people killed in the Philippines, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. I’m scared for my country and I’m done trying to justify this.”A Facebook software engineer has resigned over Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to allow Donald Trump to use the platform to threaten violence against protesters, an escalation in the unprecedented display of dissension roiling the company.Timothy J Aveni announced his resignation Monday on Facebook and LinkedIn, as hundreds of other Facebook employees were engaging in a “virtual walkout” or speaking out against Zuckerberg’s decision on Twitter.“Mark always told us that he would draw the line at speech that calls for violence,” Aveni wrote. “He showed us on Friday that this was a lie.”Aveni connected Facebook’s accommodation of Trump’s violent rhetoric to the company’s track record in Asia, where Facebook has been implicated in ethnic cleansing in Myanmar, mob violence in Sri Lanka and the rise of a demagogue in the Philippines.“Facebook, complicit in the propagation of weaponized hatred, is on the wrong side of history,” he wrote. “Facebook is providing a platform that enables politicians to radicalize individuals and glorify violence, and we are watching the United States succumb to the same kind of social media-fueled division that has gotten people killed in the Philippines, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. I’m scared for my country and I’m done trying to justify this.”
For more on Facebook’s decision to leave Trump’s post up and the response from employees, you can read our full coverage here and here.For more on Facebook’s decision to leave Trump’s post up and the response from employees, you can read our full coverage here and here.
A day after protesters were forcibly removed from outside the White House, demonstrators returned to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to condemn the killing of George Floyd.A day after protesters were forcibly removed from outside the White House, demonstrators returned to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to condemn the killing of George Floyd.
The protesters chanted “Don’t shoot!” and “I can’t breathe!” as they laid on the ground in front of the White House, where a new fence has been erected in the wake of the demonstrations.The protesters chanted “Don’t shoot!” and “I can’t breathe!” as they laid on the ground in front of the White House, where a new fence has been erected in the wake of the demonstrations.
Attorney general William Barr personally asked for the perimeter around the White House to be extended, resulting in the forcible removal of peaceful protesters, according to the Washington Post.Attorney general William Barr personally asked for the perimeter around the White House to be extended, resulting in the forcible removal of peaceful protesters, according to the Washington Post.
The Post reports:The Post reports:
The report will almost certainly intensify scrutiny of the decision to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowd of demonstrators, who had been peacefully protesting in the moments before law enforcement officials advanced.The report will almost certainly intensify scrutiny of the decision to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowd of demonstrators, who had been peacefully protesting in the moments before law enforcement officials advanced.
Democratic congressman Eliot Engel, who is facing a primary challenge, was caught on a hot mic fighting for a chance to speak at an event in the Bronx.Democratic congressman Eliot Engel, who is facing a primary challenge, was caught on a hot mic fighting for a chance to speak at an event in the Bronx.
Engel, who has been criticized for not spending enough time in his New York district, asked Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr for the microphone during a press conference after last night’s George Floyd protests.Engel, who has been criticized for not spending enough time in his New York district, asked Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr for the microphone during a press conference after last night’s George Floyd protests.
When Diaz refused, Engel said twice, “If I didn’t have a primary, I wouldn’t care.” Diaz replied, “Don’t do that to me.”When Diaz refused, Engel said twice, “If I didn’t have a primary, I wouldn’t care.” Diaz replied, “Don’t do that to me.”
Engel was facing primary challenges from two progressive candidates, but one of them dropped out Monday to endorse his opponent, education activist Jamaal Bowman.Engel was facing primary challenges from two progressive candidates, but one of them dropped out Monday to endorse his opponent, education activist Jamaal Bowman.
The withdrawal could help Bowman consolidate progressive support, putting Engel at risk of losing the June 23 prumary.The withdrawal could help Bowman consolidate progressive support, putting Engel at risk of losing the June 23 prumary.
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:
Kansas will ask the US supreme court to reinstate a law requiring people to prove their citizenship when they register to vote, continuing one of the most closely-watched voting rights cases in the country.Kansas will ask the US supreme court to reinstate a law requiring people to prove their citizenship when they register to vote, continuing one of the most closely-watched voting rights cases in the country.
The law was drafted and championed by former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican known nationally for his staunch anti-immigrant views and baseless claims of widespread voter fraud.The law was drafted and championed by former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican known nationally for his staunch anti-immigrant views and baseless claims of widespread voter fraud.
The law was passed in 2011, went into effect in 2013, and was first blocked by a federal judge just before the 2016 presidential election. In April, a federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling blocking the law.The law was passed in 2011, went into effect in 2013, and was first blocked by a federal judge just before the 2016 presidential election. In April, a federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling blocking the law.
While it was in effect, the law blocked more than 31,000 people from getting registered to vote. The US court of appeals for the 10th circuit noted that “at most” just 39 non-citizens got on to Kansas’ voter rolls over a 20-year period.While it was in effect, the law blocked more than 31,000 people from getting registered to vote. The US court of appeals for the 10th circuit noted that “at most” just 39 non-citizens got on to Kansas’ voter rolls over a 20-year period.
“Voting is only for citizens, and this Kansas law is designed to confirm the citizenship of those registering to vote. After reviewing the appeals court’s decision, we have concluded there is a reasonable basis for appeal,” Kansas attorney general Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said in a statement.“Voting is only for citizens, and this Kansas law is designed to confirm the citizenship of those registering to vote. After reviewing the appeals court’s decision, we have concluded there is a reasonable basis for appeal,” Kansas attorney general Derek Schmidt, a Republican, said in a statement.
The US supreme court can choose whether to hear the case or not. If the court were to rule in favor of Kansas, it could open up the floodgates for other states to impose similar requirements.The US supreme court can choose whether to hear the case or not. If the court were to rule in favor of Kansas, it could open up the floodgates for other states to impose similar requirements.