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George Floyd killing: thousands march peacefully in New York, defying curfew – live George Floyd killing: thousands march peacefully in New York, defying curfew – live
(32 minutes later)
Police block crowds making way from Brooklyn across Manhattan BridgePolice block crowds making way from Brooklyn across Manhattan Bridge
More election results:
Steny Hoyer, the House majority leader, won an easy nomination in the Democratic primary of Maryland’s 5th district. He’s held the seat for 40 years.
Yvette Herrell won the Republican primary in New Mexico’s 2nd District — she’ll take on on Xochitl Torres Small in November.
Joe Biden handily won the primaries in Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota. With all his Democratic opponents out of the race, no surprise there.
The Guardian’s Ankita Rao reports from Brooklyn:
Thousands of people were blockaded at the base of Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge on Tuesday as the protests against police brutality led past the 8 pm curfew in New York. With police on both ends of the bridge, protestors from Brooklyn said they waited at the barricades for more than two hours to try to enter Manhattan on the Manhattan Bridge.
“They [the NYPD] promised to let us through and told us 10 minutes,” said one Brooklyn resident who asked not to be identified. “But then time passed and all they did was get lots of NYPD trucks. Their promise was not to let us through but to manipulate citizens for no reason.” As protestors waited, wondering if they would be arrested and how they would get home, posts on social media started to appear online.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted that the situation was unsafe, and that she was coming to the scene. Mayor deBlasio also visited the Barclays Center, where many of the week’s protests have originated, and said it was a calm situation. At around 11 p.m. the protestors from Brooklyn decided to turn around and walk back, and the police opened the barriers on the base of the bridge for them to go home.
“It was an incredibly peaceful protest, no one did anything divisive or provocative,” said Hannah Jayanti, a Brooklyn resident who had taken her bicycle to the protest to help create a barrier between the police and protestors. At midnight, there were still protestors stuck in either borough attempting to get home.
The AP has not yet called the election, though King is lagging behind in the Republican primary to represent Iowa’s fourth district. His loss in this election will cap his controversial 9-year stint in Congress. State senator Randy Feenstra put out a statement claiming victory.
During the campaign, Feenstra attacked King’s inability to govern after he was barred from House committees for his racist rhetoric.
Feenstra’s platform is otherwise quite similar to King’s — and includes hardline anti-immigration policies.
Councilwoman Ella Jones was elected mayor of Ferguson, becoming the first African American and first woman to lead the city.
In August 2014, the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown, a black teenager, in Ferguson sparked nationwide protests against police brutality. When the St. Louis County prosecutor announced that a grand jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson, the white officer who shot 12 rounds at Brown, another round of protests began.
Jones has said she will continue to implement changes to address the policing issues to sparked the 2014 protests.
In Los Angeles, thousands took to the streets. Mayor Eric Garcetti took a knee with protestors, even as crowds chanted, “defund the police”.In Los Angeles, thousands took to the streets. Mayor Eric Garcetti took a knee with protestors, even as crowds chanted, “defund the police”.
Los Angeles County was under a sweeping curfew, and activist organizing demonstrations today kept plans quiet to avoid tipping off police.Los Angeles County was under a sweeping curfew, and activist organizing demonstrations today kept plans quiet to avoid tipping off police.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore said at a news conference yesterday looters over the weekend were “capitalizing” on the death of George Floyd.“We didn’t have protests last night — we had criminal acts,” he said, “His death is on their hands as much as it is those officers.”LAPD Chief Michel Moore said at a news conference yesterday looters over the weekend were “capitalizing” on the death of George Floyd.“We didn’t have protests last night — we had criminal acts,” he said, “His death is on their hands as much as it is those officers.”
Moore apologized minutes later, saying he “misspoke”.Moore apologized minutes later, saying he “misspoke”.
Protestors today chanted, “Fire Michel Moore! Fire Michel Moore!”Protestors today chanted, “Fire Michel Moore! Fire Michel Moore!”
In New York, thousands of protesters defied curfew and remained on the streets, as officers began making arrests.In New York, thousands of protesters defied curfew and remained on the streets, as officers began making arrests.
The police blocked off crowds making their way from Brooklyn across the Manhattan Bridge. There was an officer-involved shooting in which no officers were injured, according to the NYPD, which provided no further detail.The police blocked off crowds making their way from Brooklyn across the Manhattan Bridge. There was an officer-involved shooting in which no officers were injured, according to the NYPD, which provided no further detail.
The force has been criticized for its aggressive tactics and use of force against protestors through the weekend and on Monday. The city’s Democratic mayor and New York’s Democratic governor have faced pressure from the president to put a stop to vandalism and looting during the demonstrations.The force has been criticized for its aggressive tactics and use of force against protestors through the weekend and on Monday. The city’s Democratic mayor and New York’s Democratic governor have faced pressure from the president to put a stop to vandalism and looting during the demonstrations.
“The NYPD and the mayor did not do their job last night,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said at a briefing in Albany. “Look at the videos. It was a disgrace.”Cuomo, who has often clashed with Mayor Bill De Blasio, brought up the possibility of deploying the national guard over the mayor’s objections.“The NYPD and the mayor did not do their job last night,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said at a briefing in Albany. “Look at the videos. It was a disgrace.”Cuomo, who has often clashed with Mayor Bill De Blasio, brought up the possibility of deploying the national guard over the mayor’s objections.
Even as protests rage on, eight states and Washington DC are holding elections today. It’ll be another big test of vote by mail, with many states expanding absentee voting options, though many Americans did line up to cast ballots in person today.Even as protests rage on, eight states and Washington DC are holding elections today. It’ll be another big test of vote by mail, with many states expanding absentee voting options, though many Americans did line up to cast ballots in person today.
Polls have closed in Iowa, where Republican Steve King, the conservative congressman who has been abandoned by the Republican establishment over his racist rhetoric and interaction with white nationalists, is up for re-election. King has trailed in the polls, but may still have a chance as the incumbent.Polls have closed in Iowa, where Republican Steve King, the conservative congressman who has been abandoned by the Republican establishment over his racist rhetoric and interaction with white nationalists, is up for re-election. King has trailed in the polls, but may still have a chance as the incumbent.
The FBI found no indication of antifa involvement in Sunday’s violence, according to reporting in the Nation.The FBI found no indication of antifa involvement in Sunday’s violence, according to reporting in the Nation.
In documents leaked to the Nation’s Ken Klipperstein, the FBI’s Washington Field Office indicated it had “has no intelligence indicating Antifa involvement/presence” in the violence that occurred in DC.In documents leaked to the Nation’s Ken Klipperstein, the FBI’s Washington Field Office indicated it had “has no intelligence indicating Antifa involvement/presence” in the violence that occurred in DC.
Read on:Read on:
Shooting reported in BrooklynShooting reported in Brooklyn
WABC reports that at least five people were injured during a shooting in Brooklyn on Tuesday evening. The injured reportedly include two NYPD officers.WABC reports that at least five people were injured during a shooting in Brooklyn on Tuesday evening. The injured reportedly include two NYPD officers.
Police told the station that all five people were taken to local hospitals.Police told the station that all five people were taken to local hospitals.
About 1,600 US army troops were moved to the DC region, according to the Pentagon.About 1,600 US army troops were moved to the DC region, according to the Pentagon.
“Active duty elements are postured on military bases in the National Capitol Region but are not in Washington DC,” Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said in a statement.“Active duty elements are postured on military bases in the National Capitol Region but are not in Washington DC,” Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said in a statement.
The troops “are not participating in defense support to civil authority operations”, Hoffman said. The president would have to invoke the Insurrection Act in order to deploy the US military to suppress civil disorder inside the US.The troops “are not participating in defense support to civil authority operations”, Hoffman said. The president would have to invoke the Insurrection Act in order to deploy the US military to suppress civil disorder inside the US.
Even though the troops are not acting as law enforcement, their presence has had a chilling effect on protesters. The stationing of troops and the military tactics used against protesters in DC have drawn criticism. Yesterday, low-flying helicopters snapped tree branches and frightened demonstrators with a deafening roar. One of the helicopters had Red Cross markings and the show of force is being investigated by the national guard, according to the Washington Post.Even though the troops are not acting as law enforcement, their presence has had a chilling effect on protesters. The stationing of troops and the military tactics used against protesters in DC have drawn criticism. Yesterday, low-flying helicopters snapped tree branches and frightened demonstrators with a deafening roar. One of the helicopters had Red Cross markings and the show of force is being investigated by the national guard, according to the Washington Post.
Thousands of protesters have rallied peacefully outside of the White House on Tuesday evening, chanting “keep the peace” as night grew dark.Thousands of protesters have rallied peacefully outside of the White House on Tuesday evening, chanting “keep the peace” as night grew dark.
The crowd grew thinner after 8pm, an hour after the capital’s curfew had set in, but several hundred remained outside of the fence.The crowd grew thinner after 8pm, an hour after the capital’s curfew had set in, but several hundred remained outside of the fence.
When one protester climbed a lamp post and removed a street sign he was roundly booed by others. “It’s not what we’re about,” George “TJ” Pierce, one of the protesters in the park, told the Associated Press.When one protester climbed a lamp post and removed a street sign he was roundly booed by others. “It’s not what we’re about,” George “TJ” Pierce, one of the protesters in the park, told the Associated Press.
Analysis: Trump has normalised mayhem and the US is paying the priceAnalysis: Trump has normalised mayhem and the US is paying the price
The sheer tumult of the Trump era, the unceasing torrent of events that were unthinkable even hours before, has left a nation constantly off balance, unable to find its bearing and grasp how far it has traveled.The sheer tumult of the Trump era, the unceasing torrent of events that were unthinkable even hours before, has left a nation constantly off balance, unable to find its bearing and grasp how far it has traveled.
The developments of the past 24 hours were a reminder of how slippery the downward slope has been.The developments of the past 24 hours were a reminder of how slippery the downward slope has been.
More than a hundred thousand Americans are dead from a pandemic after the government’s botched response; there are armoured cars and troops outside Washington metro stations; men in combat gear carrying sniper rifles were seen perched in the open door of a helicopter flying low over the commercial district. A military chopper buzzed a crowd of demonstrators so close to the ground they were buffeted around by the wind from the rotor, a dispersal technique learned in counter-insurgencies abroad.More than a hundred thousand Americans are dead from a pandemic after the government’s botched response; there are armoured cars and troops outside Washington metro stations; men in combat gear carrying sniper rifles were seen perched in the open door of a helicopter flying low over the commercial district. A military chopper buzzed a crowd of demonstrators so close to the ground they were buffeted around by the wind from the rotor, a dispersal technique learned in counter-insurgencies abroad.
On Monday, an entirely peaceful protest was driven out of a city square in front of the White House with teargas, baton charges and mounted police, so Trump could pose in front of a church with a Bible.On Monday, an entirely peaceful protest was driven out of a city square in front of the White House with teargas, baton charges and mounted police, so Trump could pose in front of a church with a Bible.
A priest and a seminarian, who had been distributing water and hand sanitizer to protesters from the steps of St John’s Episcopal, were driven away by police with helmets and riot shields to create an uncluttered tableau. A Bible was procured for Trump from inside the church for him to hold aloft. Journalists asked if it was his Bible. “It’s a Bible,” he replied.A priest and a seminarian, who had been distributing water and hand sanitizer to protesters from the steps of St John’s Episcopal, were driven away by police with helmets and riot shields to create an uncluttered tableau. A Bible was procured for Trump from inside the church for him to hold aloft. Journalists asked if it was his Bible. “It’s a Bible,” he replied.
The rate of fresh affronts has often outpaced the capacity to digest – or even describe – them. Peaceful protesters, journalists, a young African American man pleading for mutual understanding, shop owners, residents are being targeted for arbitrary arrest or police beatings or both – especially if they are black.The rate of fresh affronts has often outpaced the capacity to digest – or even describe – them. Peaceful protesters, journalists, a young African American man pleading for mutual understanding, shop owners, residents are being targeted for arbitrary arrest or police beatings or both – especially if they are black.
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.
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:
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
“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.
“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.
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 ride-sharing services and even CitiBikes have ceased operating.
Police vans began massing close to the Trump hotel before 8pm, but as the curfew came in officers were yet to take action.
This post was amended on Tuesday 2 June. An earlier version incorrectly stated that the subway had stopped running.