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George Floyd protests: curfews set in with US soldiers reportedly poised outside Washington – live George Floyd protests: curfews set in with US soldiers reportedly poised outside Washington – live
(32 minutes later)
US troops from 82nd airborne division moved from Fort Bragg to outskirts of DC area, according to multiple reportsUS troops from 82nd airborne division moved from Fort Bragg to outskirts of DC area, according to multiple reports
While most protesters have marched against police brutality and racist policing, a few have turned up on horseback.
In Houston, members of an urban trail riding club drew cheers as they rode in and raised their fists. At least one of the demonstrators was wearing a shirt that read “Black Cowboys Matter.”
Earlier today, my colleague Abené Clayton interviewed Brianna Noble, who rode her horse into the George Floyd protest in Oakland on Friday:
A curfew is now in effect in New York City - a curfew which hundreds of anti-police violence protesters are defying.
Hundreds of people were still gathered outside Trump International hotel, at the south-east corner of Central Park, at 8pm. Protesters are now walking north from the hotel, many shouting: “Fuck your curfew.”
It’s going to be a difficult journey home for many, as the NYC subway ceased operating at 8pm – as did ride-sharing services and even CitiBikes.
Police vans began massing close to the Trump hotel before 8pm, but as the curfew came in officers were yet to take action.
In Dallas, protesters are dispersing ahead of curfew, according to local reporters.
Minneapolis public schools are terminating their contract with the city’s police department following the death of George Floyd.
The city’s public school board unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday night that will end the district’s contract with the Minneapolis police department to use officers to provide school security. The Minneapolis superintendent said he would begin work on an alternative plan to keep the district’s more than 35,000 students safe in the coming school year.
“We cannot continue to be in partnership with an organization that has the culture of violence and racism that the Minneapolis police department has historically demonstrated,” Nelson Inz, one of the school board members, said. “We have to stand in solidarity with our black students.”
While the vote does not bring justice for Floyd, “it will show that meaningful change is possible,” Nathaniel Genene, the school board’s student representative, said.
Genene said an online survey of Minneapolis students had received more than 1,500 responses, and about 90% of them supported terminating the district’s contract with the police.
Here’s Donald Trump’s latest.
Protesters, clergy members and journalists confronted by teargas, rubber bullets and other aggressive policing tactics yesterday might disagree with the president’s statement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has been granted authority to conduct surveillance of protestors, according to a report from Buzzfeed News:The Drug Enforcement Administration has been granted authority to conduct surveillance of protestors, according to a report from Buzzfeed News:
Federal agencies have conducted surveillance of protest groups before - in 2015, the Department of Homeland Security monitored activists on Twitter. the FBI monitored Occupy Wall Street protestors in 2011. And of course, antiwar protestors were heavily monitored during the 1960s and 70s. Federal agencies have conducted surveillance of protest groups before - in 2015, the Department of Homeland Security monitored activists on Twitter. The FBI monitored Occupy Wall Street protesters in 2011. And of course, antiwar protesters were heavily monitored during the 1960s and 70s.
The Guardian has not yet independently verified Buzzfeed’s reporting. The Guardian has not yet independently verified BuzzFeed’s reporting.
Protests in New York continue Hundreds of US cities have set curfews this evening, but as 7 pm passed on the East Coast many rallies showed no sign of slowing down. In New York, where a curfew is set to start at 8 pm, thousands of people were marching to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. A separate group filled Union Square in Manhattan. Protests in New York continue Hundreds of US cities have set curfews this evening, but as 7pm passed on the east coast many rallies showed no sign of slowing down. In New York, where a curfew is set to start at 8pm, thousands of people were marching to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. A separate group filled Union Square in Manhattan.
In Washington, DC, protests have continued despite an amplified policing and military presence.In Washington, DC, protests have continued despite an amplified policing and military presence.
Tens of thousands gathered on Tuesday evening and stayed out past the 7pm curfew. Demonstrators set up aid stations, handing out water and other supplies. Many came prepped with masks and goggles to shield them against teargas and pepper spray.Tens of thousands gathered on Tuesday evening and stayed out past the 7pm curfew. Demonstrators set up aid stations, handing out water and other supplies. Many came prepped with masks and goggles to shield them against teargas and pepper spray.
US troops from the 82nd Airborne Division have been moved from their base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to the outskirts of Washington, DC, according to multiple reports from unnamed Defense Department officials. US troops from the 82nd airborne division have been moved from their base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to the outskirts of Washington DC, according to multiple reports from unnamed defense department officials.
Around 700 members of the 82nd are now poised at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and Fort Belvoir in Virginia, the Associated Press reports. Joint Base Andrews is where Air Force One takes off when the president goes on trips and is minutes from the White House, just outside the boundary of the capital.Around 700 members of the 82nd are now poised at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and Fort Belvoir in Virginia, the Associated Press reports. Joint Base Andrews is where Air Force One takes off when the president goes on trips and is minutes from the White House, just outside the boundary of the capital.
In addition, 1,400 more soldiers are ready to be mobilized within an hour, AP writes, according to two Defense Department officials, who are not named. In addition, 1,400 more soldiers are ready to be mobilized within an hour, AP writes, according to two defense department officials, who are not named.
The soldiers are armed and have riot gear, and they also have bayonets, the agency reports.The soldiers are armed and have riot gear, and they also have bayonets, the agency reports.
It is not clear if this is (almost literal) saber-rattling from the president, who has been talking hardline on law and order, displaying hardware in order to intimidate, or if those troops will really be seen on the streets of Washington. It is not clear if this is (almost literal) saber-rattling from the president, who has been talking hardline on law and order, displaying hardware in order to intimidate protesters, or if those troops will really be seen on the streets of Washington.
The president has the jurisdiction to send US troops into the federal capital pretty freely, without invoking legislation or seeking permission as would be the case with a state.The president has the jurisdiction to send US troops into the federal capital pretty freely, without invoking legislation or seeking permission as would be the case with a state.
The New York Times reported that US Army helicopters buzzed the District last night at rooftop level in a deafening, blasting “show of force” that scattered protesters. This was not long after peaceful protesters were violently swept from outside the White House by police, so that Donald Trump could stage a photo opportunity outside the nearby St John’s “Church of the Presidents”. The New York Times reported that US army helicopters buzzed the District last night at rooftop level in a deafening, blasting “show of force” that scattered protesters. This was not long after peaceful protesters were violently swept from outside the White House by police, so that Donald Trump could stage a photo opportunity outside the nearby St John’s “Church of the Presidents”.
The NYT also informed its readers that:The NYT also informed its readers that:
Here’s the latest tally of press freedom violations during the demonstrations against police brutality, from the US Press Freedom Tracker:Here’s the latest tally of press freedom violations during the demonstrations against police brutality, from the US Press Freedom Tracker:
Elizabeth Warren is among the demonstrators at the White House protest, along with her husband and dog, according to reporters at the scene.Elizabeth Warren is among the demonstrators at the White House protest, along with her husband and dog, according to reporters at the scene.
Hundreds of US cities have imposed curfews to keep the peace during a week of large scale peaceful protest but also volatility and patches of violent unrest - with examples of aggressive over-policing of some demonstrations and under-policing of some outbreaks of looting.Hundreds of US cities have imposed curfews to keep the peace during a week of large scale peaceful protest but also volatility and patches of violent unrest - with examples of aggressive over-policing of some demonstrations and under-policing of some outbreaks of looting.
Mandated curfew is a tactic that gives law enforcement sweeping arrest powers but is frequently flouted and criticized as being unconstitutional, the Associated Press points out.Mandated curfew is a tactic that gives law enforcement sweeping arrest powers but is frequently flouted and criticized as being unconstitutional, the Associated Press points out.
From New York City to Fargo, North Dakota, cities large and small have put curfews in place, in some cases for the first time in decades, sending out emergency notices on phones and highway signs urging people to stay off the streets.From New York City to Fargo, North Dakota, cities large and small have put curfews in place, in some cases for the first time in decades, sending out emergency notices on phones and highway signs urging people to stay off the streets.
But the deadlines aren’t hard and fast many of them have exceptions for people heading to and from work, reporters, public transportation and even people buying groceries.But the deadlines aren’t hard and fast many of them have exceptions for people heading to and from work, reporters, public transportation and even people buying groceries.
Many protesters and citizens have routinely disregarded the restrictions, and police have allowed peaceful demonstrations to continue after curfew while focusing their attention on outbreaks of chaos or violence.Many protesters and citizens have routinely disregarded the restrictions, and police have allowed peaceful demonstrations to continue after curfew while focusing their attention on outbreaks of chaos or violence.
A curfew allows police the ability without any other reason to threaten to arrest or detain crowds of protesters that linger or groups that appear to be a danger to order.A curfew allows police the ability without any other reason to threaten to arrest or detain crowds of protesters that linger or groups that appear to be a danger to order.
New York City put in place a large-scale curfew for what appeared to be the first time in nearly 80 years this week as groups vandalized buildings and stole from stores. The curfew was originally 11 pm, but Mayor Bill de Blasio rolled it back to 8 pm, before the sun goes down.New York City put in place a large-scale curfew for what appeared to be the first time in nearly 80 years this week as groups vandalized buildings and stole from stores. The curfew was originally 11 pm, but Mayor Bill de Blasio rolled it back to 8 pm, before the sun goes down.
“If you choose to protest today, do it in the daytime hours and then please go home because we have work to do to keep a peaceful city,” de Blasio said.“If you choose to protest today, do it in the daytime hours and then please go home because we have work to do to keep a peaceful city,” de Blasio said.
Curfews have been installed in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Denver. Philadelphia and hundreds of other cities and communities large and small, coast to coast and north to south across the country.In northern California, Sacramento city councilman Steve Hansen said the city’s 8pm curfew “really is to keep people from coming sort of to gawk at what’s going on and keep the looky-loos away.”Curfews have been installed in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Denver. Philadelphia and hundreds of other cities and communities large and small, coast to coast and north to south across the country.In northern California, Sacramento city councilman Steve Hansen said the city’s 8pm curfew “really is to keep people from coming sort of to gawk at what’s going on and keep the looky-loos away.”
The curfews also come on the heels of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders imposed during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.The curfews also come on the heels of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders imposed during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In Paris, some 20,000 people defied a ban on large gatherings to protest against police brutality. Law enforcement used tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators, who set up burning barricades.
The death of Adama Traoré in 2016 was a rallying cry — Traore, 24, was apprehended after a dispute over an identity check. An officer testified that police pinned down Traore using their body weight before the young man was transported to the police station where he died. He was still handcuffed when paramedics arrived. The officers involved were exonerated.
His sister, Assa Traoré, spoke at the demonstration. “Today we are not just talking about the fight of the Traoré family,” she said, according to AFP. “It is the fight for everyone. When we fight for George Floyd, we fight for Adama Traoré.”
Gatherings of more than 10 people are currently banned in Paris, due to the pandemic.
This is priceless. What Justin Trudeau thinks of what Donald Trump’s up to in the way he’s dealing with the George Floyd protests across the US.
George Floyd’s six-year-old daughter, Gianna, and her mother, Roxie Washington, just made their first public appearance at a press conference in Minneapolis.
“I wanted everyone to know that this is what those officers took from…” Washington said while holding back sobs, her daughter glancing up at her. “At the end of the day, they get to go home and be with their families. Gianna does not have a father. He will never see her grow up, graduate. He will never walk her down the aisle.”
“I’m here for my baby and I’m here for George, because I want justice for him. I want justice for him because he was good. No matter what anybody thinks,” she said, pointing down to her daughter. “And this is the proof that he was a good man.”
Thousands of protesters have spent the past five hours marching north through Manhattan as protests against police brutality continue in New York City.
Waving signs in support of George Floyd, people made the six mile journey from One Police Plaza, in lower Manhattan, to the Upper East Side. At 5.30pm thousands protesters filled a street close to Gracie Mansion, the official home of NYC mayor Bill de Blasio.
In the past few days protests in cities across the US have been marred by violence, as police have used tear gas and force to dispel crowds. Today the police presence has been small, with officers apparently happy to let protesters take over city streets and blocks.
Joe Biden is seeing a fundraising surge in the midst of nationwide protests.
Biden’s campaign said they noticed an uptick in donations since protests started last week. CNBC reported that fundraisers say they each raised $200,000 to $1 million for the campaign in the last few days. One fundraiser who focuses on the finance industry said he’s seeing an increase of up to 35%.
Benjamin Wittes, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute and an associate of former FBI Director James Comey, told CNBC that he made a rare campaign donation of $2,800 – the maximum individual contribution to the campaign - because he disapproves of the way Trump is handling the protests.
“We have a president who is energetically attacking and trying to destroy the professional national security apparatus of the country and under those circumstances I don’t feel a stance of political neutrality is appropriate,” he told CNBC.
The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump super PAC run by a group of Never-Trump Republicans, said May was its best fundraising month since the PAC was created early in the 2020 election.
This is Lauren Aratani in New York taking over for Joan E Greve.
A Monmouth University poll showed that nearly three quarters of Americans say the country is on the wrong track – an all-time low in the seven years the poll has been administered.
When asked if the country is going in the right direction or whether it’s headed off track, 74% of respondents who answered the poll May 28 through June 1 said it was heading off track.
The poll also found a marked change in public opinion on racial disparities of police excessive force. A majority of Americans – 57% – say that police officers facing a difficult or dangerous situation are more likely to use excessive force if the culprit is black. In comparison, when the same question was asked after the police killing of Alton Sterling in 2016, 34% of Americans said excessive force would most likely be used if the culprit is black. The number of white Americans who agreed to this has also increased to 49, up from 25% of white Americans in 2016.
That’s it from me today. My colleagues, Lauren Aratani and Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Attorney general William Barr personally ordered the expansion of the perimeter outside the White House, resulting in the forcible removal of peaceful protesters, according to a new report. The Washington Post reported that Barr called for the protesters to be moved moments before Trump spoke at the White House yesterday.
The state of Minnesota has filed a civil rights charge against the Minneapolis Police Department in response to the killing of George Floyd. The state cited “unlawful race-based policing” in the charge, which was announced by governor Tim Walz at a press conference this afternoon.
Joe Biden sharply criticized Trump’s handling of the protests in a Philadelphia speech. “The president of the United States must be part of the solution, not the problem,” Biden said. “This president today is part of the problem and accelerates it.” The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is also expected to attend Floyd’s funeral next week.
The archdiocese of Washington said it was “baffling and reprehensible” to allow Trump to visit the Saint John Paul II National Shrine today. As Trump traveled to the Washington site, which is run by the Knights of Columbus, Archbishop Wilton Gregory said in a statement, “I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the rights of all people even those with whom we might disagree.”
The governor of North Carolina said Republicans should prepare for a “scaled-down convention” due to coronavirus. “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.
Lauren and Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Former president George W Bush released a statement in response to the killing of George Floyd and the protests that it has sparked.
“It remains a shocking failure that many African Americans, especially young African American men, are harassed and threatened in their own country. It is a strength when protesters, protected by responsible law enforcement, march for a better future,” the former Republican president said.
“America’s greatest challenge has long been to unite people of very different backgrounds into a single nation of justice and opportunity. ... Many doubt the justice of our country, and with good reason.”
Bush concluded the statement with a call for “peace rooted in justice.” “There is a better way — the way of empathy, and shared commitment, and bold action, and a peace rooted in justice. I am confident that together, Americans will choose the better way,” Bush said.
The former president made no mention of Trump or the forcible removal of protesters near the White House yesterday.
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.
“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.
“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.