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George Floyd killing: curfews set in as protesters rally at Trump hotel – live George Floyd killing: curfews set in as protesters rally at Trump hotel – live
(32 minutes later)
Hundreds defy curfew in New York as demonstrations continue across USHundreds defy curfew in New York as demonstrations continue across US
A former undersecretary of defense, James Miller, condemned the president and the defense secretary for using force against protestors in his resignation letter from the Defense Science Board. Here’s a view of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC this evening:
A former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Mike Mullen condemned the use of force against protestors in order to clear the way for a photo-op. In an op-ed published by The Atlantic, Mullen, who served as the highest-ranking military officer in the country from 2001 to 2011, wrote:
Donald Trump has tweeted that Republicans are seeking a new venue for the Republican national convention, after initial considering North Carolina.
Earlier, North Carolina governor Roy Cooper wrote it was “very unlikely” that the state could permit a packed convention in Charlotte this summer.
“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 wrote to Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel.
Opinion: In 1919, the state failed to protect black Americans. A century later, it’s still failing
Carol Anderson, the Charles Howard Candler professor of African American Studies at Emory University and the author of White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, writes for The Guardian:
In 1919, as soldiers returned from the first world war, many white Americans saw African American men in military uniforms for the first time. That sight, and the challenge it posed to the political, social and economic order, was deeply threatening to them. Groups of armed white men hunted down and slaughtered hundreds of black Americans across the country. The wave of lynchings and race riots came to be known as the Red Summer.
The black community did its best to fight back, without protection from the state. In some cases, police actively participated in the lynchings. The US attorney general, A Mitchell Palmer, claimed that leftwing radicals were behind the uprisings – a false charge and one that further endangered African American lives. Palmer worked for President Woodrow Wilson, an ardent segregationist who screened Birth of a Nation in the White House and praised the Ku Klux Klan even as it deployed terrorism to keep blacks away from the voting booth. Wilson had been silent while whites slaughtered African Americans in East St Louis in 1917, and he did little to nothing in 1919 when they again attacked and killed black people, this time on an even more horrific and grisly scale.
When African Americans fought back, when they protested, when they made clear they would not quietly accept the destruction of their lives, Palmer mobilized the power of the federal government to brand black unrest as the work of the enemy of the state – communists. It was his version of peace without justice. To do this he ignored the destructive and violent white supremacy that his president had helped unleash. He remained unconcerned about the bold, brazen killing of black people. And he had no qualms about a criminal justice system in which being black meant the presumption of guilt.
More than 100 years later, in the wake of the brutal, merciless killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor – not to mention an incident in which a white woman attempted to put a black birdwatcher in the crosshairs of the NYPD – our current attorney general, Bill Barr, does not appear to see injustice. Instead, he sounds much like his ancient predecessor, A Mitchell Palmer.
A former undersecretary of defense, James Miller, condemned the president and the defense secretary for using force against protesters in his resignation letter from the Defense Science Board.
The Washington Post published Miller’s resignation letter to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.The Washington Post published Miller’s resignation letter to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.
In it, Miller said that Trump’s decision to clear protestors with force in order to pose for a photo “violated his oath to ‘take care that the laws be faithfully executed,’ as well as the First Amendment ‘right of the people peaceably to assemble.’” In it, Miller said that Trump’s decision to clear protesters with force in order to pose for a photo “violated his oath to ‘take care that the laws be faithfully executed,’ as well as the First Amendment ‘right of the people peaceably to assemble.’”
Miller wrote:Miller wrote:
In Seattle, Mayor Jenny Durkan spoke with protestors and promised to meet organizers tomorrow afternoon to create a plan for reform. Police chief Carmen Best spoke to the crowd as well. In Seattle, Mayor Jenny Durkan spoke with protesters and promised to meet organizers tomorrow afternoon to create a plan for reform. Police chief Carmen Best spoke to the crowd as well.
“I understand the hurt and the anger that everyone feels, especially after the death of George Floyd,” she said, according to the Seattle Times. “As a Black woman, I feel the same pain you feel and just because I wear the uniform, that doesn’t change that.” “I understand the hurt and the anger that everyone feels, especially after the death of George Floyd,” she said, according to the Seattle Times. “As a black woman, I feel the same pain you feel and just because I wear the uniform, that doesn’t change that.”
But the city’s aggressive tactics against protestors drew criticism after videos of police escalating tensions, spraying chemical agents and deploying flashbang grenades circulated social media. But the city’s aggressive tactics against protesters drew criticism after videos of police escalating tensions, spraying chemical agents and deploying flash-bang grenades circulated social media.
Mark Zuckerberg is standing by his decision to allow Donald Trump to threaten violence against George Floyd protesters on the platform despite harsh criticism from civil rights leaders and public dissent from his own employees, including a public resignation.Mark Zuckerberg is standing by his decision to allow Donald Trump to threaten violence against George Floyd protesters on the platform despite harsh criticism from civil rights leaders and public dissent from his own employees, including a public resignation.
In a video conference with staff on Tuesday, Zuckerberg said that his decision to not remove Trump’s warning on social media on Friday that “when the looting starts the shooting start” was “tough” but “pretty thorough”, the New York Times reported. The company usually holds an all-staff meeting on Thursdays, but the session was moved up to address growing discontent among employees, hundreds of whom staged a “walkout” on Monday by requesting time off.In a video conference with staff on Tuesday, Zuckerberg said that his decision to not remove Trump’s warning on social media on Friday that “when the looting starts the shooting start” was “tough” but “pretty thorough”, the New York Times reported. The company usually holds an all-staff meeting on Thursdays, but the session was moved up to address growing discontent among employees, hundreds of whom staged a “walkout” on Monday by requesting time off.
“I knew that I would have to separate out my personal opinion,” he told employees, according to the report. “Knowing that when we made this decision we made, it was going to lead to a lot of people upset inside the company, and the media criticism we were going to get.”“I knew that I would have to separate out my personal opinion,” he told employees, according to the report. “Knowing that when we made this decision we made, it was going to lead to a lot of people upset inside the company, and the media criticism we were going to get.”
Anger at Facebook has only grown since Zuckerberg announced on Friday evening that the platform would not to take any action against Trump’s post, which quoted a racist 1960s police chief. Twitter deemed a tweet with the same language dangerous and chose to hide it behind a warning label “in the interest of preventing others from being inspired to commit violent acts”. But though Zuckerberg acknowledged the statement’s racist historical antecedent, he said that the company has a policy of allowing state actors to warn the public about the use of force.Anger at Facebook has only grown since Zuckerberg announced on Friday evening that the platform would not to take any action against Trump’s post, which quoted a racist 1960s police chief. Twitter deemed a tweet with the same language dangerous and chose to hide it behind a warning label “in the interest of preventing others from being inspired to commit violent acts”. But though Zuckerberg acknowledged the statement’s racist historical antecedent, he said that the company has a policy of allowing state actors to warn the public about the use of force.
This reasoning has garnered scorn from US civil rights leaders, three of whom spoke with Zuckerberg and his top lieutenant Sheryl Sandberg on Monday evening. “We are disappointed and stunned by Mark’s incomprehensible explanations,” said Vanita Gupta, Sherrilyn Ifill and Rashad Robinson – heads of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Color of Change – in a joint statement.This reasoning has garnered scorn from US civil rights leaders, three of whom spoke with Zuckerberg and his top lieutenant Sheryl Sandberg on Monday evening. “We are disappointed and stunned by Mark’s incomprehensible explanations,” said Vanita Gupta, Sherrilyn Ifill and Rashad Robinson – heads of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Color of Change – in a joint statement.
“He did not demonstrate understanding of historic or modern-day voter suppression and he refuses to acknowledge how Facebook is facilitating Trump’s call for violence against protesters,” the added. “Mark is setting a very dangerous precedent for other voices who would say similar harmful things on Facebook.”“He did not demonstrate understanding of historic or modern-day voter suppression and he refuses to acknowledge how Facebook is facilitating Trump’s call for violence against protesters,” the added. “Mark is setting a very dangerous precedent for other voices who would say similar harmful things on Facebook.”
Zuckerberg has also faced continued public criticism from employees – a highly unusual occurrence for the company.Zuckerberg has also faced continued public criticism from employees – a highly unusual occurrence for the company.
“It’s crystal clear today that leadership refuses to stand with us,” the engineer Brandon Dail tweeted Tuesday.“It’s crystal clear today that leadership refuses to stand with us,” the engineer Brandon Dail tweeted Tuesday.
Representative Will Hurd, a Republican of Texas and the only black Republican in the House of Representatives, is participating in the protests in Houston.Representative Will Hurd, a Republican of Texas and the only black Republican in the House of Representatives, is participating in the protests in Houston.
While most protesters have marched against police brutality and racist policing, a few have turned up on horseback.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.”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: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.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.”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.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.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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.