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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
The Huffington Post reports that Native American democrat Paulette Jordan has won the Idaho Senate Primary. Should she win in November, she will be the state’s first female and first indigenous US senator:
Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
The Washington Post’s Rebecca Tan reports that, after a relatively peaceful day of demonstrations, law enforcement “have started firing pepper balls and chemical agents at the small group of remaining protestors” near the White House:
Protests in memory of George Floyd’s death, and against police brutality in the US as well as other countries, have sprung up around the world. Here are just a few.
In Paris, France, clashes broke out between police and protesters in Paris on Tuesday after around 20,000 people defied a ban to rally over the 2016 death of Adama Traore while in police custody in Paris, galvanised by the US demonstrations:
Liverpool, UK:
Sydney, Australia:
Nairobi, Kenya:
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
The fence surrounding the White House, erected in the wake of the protests, has been decorated, New York Magazine’s White House Correspondent Olivia Nuzzi reports:The fence surrounding the White House, erected in the wake of the protests, has been decorated, New York Magazine’s White House Correspondent Olivia Nuzzi reports:
Other protestors have tried to tear down the fence, Nuzzi tweeted:Other protestors have tried to tear down the fence, Nuzzi tweeted:
Hi, Helen Sullivan joining you now. I’ll be bringing you the latest news from across the country for the next few hours – please do get in touch on Twitter with questions, feedback, and, of course, news from wherever you are.Hi, Helen Sullivan joining you now. I’ll be bringing you the latest news from across the country for the next few hours – please do get in touch on Twitter with questions, feedback, and, of course, news from wherever you are.
I’m @helenrsullivan.I’m @helenrsullivan.
Alternatively, send me an email: helen.sullivan[at]theguardian.comAlternatively, send me an email: helen.sullivan[at]theguardian.com
The US army was poised at the outskirts of DC, and approximately 1,600 troops were moved to the region, per the Pentagon. The military will not be engaging in law enforcement, a spokesperson for the Pentagon said. The president has threatened to deploy military — in order to do so, he would have to invoke a Civil War-era act.The US army was poised at the outskirts of DC, and approximately 1,600 troops were moved to the region, per the Pentagon. The military will not be engaging in law enforcement, a spokesperson for the Pentagon said. The president has threatened to deploy military — in order to do so, he would have to invoke a Civil War-era act.
Protests continued in DC and across the country — from Los Angeles to Portland to Minneapolis to New York. Thousands defied curfews to protest against police brutality.Protests continued in DC and across the country — from Los Angeles to Portland to Minneapolis to New York. Thousands defied curfews to protest against police brutality.
There were elections in eight states and Washington DC. It was 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.There were elections in eight states and Washington DC. It was 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.
The controversial Iowa Republican congressman Steve King was been ousted in Tuesday’s primary, losing his re-election race to the state senator Randy Feenstra. King previously questioned why white nationalism was offensive and was ousted from committee positions in Congress following racist comments. But Feenstra’s policy platform, which emphasizes a hard line against immigration, is not so different from King’s.The controversial Iowa Republican congressman Steve King was been ousted in Tuesday’s primary, losing his re-election race to the state senator Randy Feenstra. King previously questioned why white nationalism was offensive and was ousted from committee positions in Congress following racist comments. But Feenstra’s policy platform, which emphasizes a hard line against immigration, is not so different from King’s.
The use of low-flying helicopters, one of which was printed with the Red Cross logo, against protestors in DC is being investigated by the National Guard. An amped law enforcement presence and the use of aggressive tactics against protestors in the nation’s capital and across the country are being widely criticized.The use of low-flying helicopters, one of which was printed with the Red Cross logo, against protestors in DC is being investigated by the National Guard. An amped law enforcement presence and the use of aggressive tactics against protestors in the nation’s capital and across the country are being widely criticized.
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.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.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.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 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.”
Trump said the RNC will seek a new venue after the governor of North Carolina told Republicans they 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.Trump said the RNC will seek a new venue after the governor of North Carolina told Republicans they 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.
From my colleague Daniel Strauss:From my colleague Daniel Strauss:
The controversial Iowa Republican congressman Steve King has been ousted in Tuesday’s primary, losing his re-election race to the state senator Randy Feenstra.The controversial Iowa Republican congressman Steve King has been ousted in Tuesday’s primary, losing his re-election race to the state senator Randy Feenstra.
King had faced the re-election fight of his life. The nine-term conservative congressman, who was repeatedly reprimanded by leaders in his own party for racist rhetoric and interactions with white nationalists, found himself in a nightmare situation for an incumbent congressman.King had faced the re-election fight of his life. The nine-term conservative congressman, who was repeatedly reprimanded by leaders in his own party for racist rhetoric and interactions with white nationalists, found himself in a nightmare situation for an incumbent congressman.
He had been stripped of his committee assignments, abandoned by more mainstream Republicans and chastised by party leadership. He had even lost support from prominent conservatives in Iowa.He had been stripped of his committee assignments, abandoned by more mainstream Republicans and chastised by party leadership. He had even lost support from prominent conservatives in Iowa.
Feenstra declared victory on Tuesday evening, promising he’d deliver “results for the families, farmers and communities of Iowa”.Feenstra declared victory on Tuesday evening, promising he’d deliver “results for the families, farmers and communities of Iowa”.
Thousands in Portland marched onto the Burnside Bridge. Once there, they lied face down with their hands behind their backs — symbolizing the restraint that officers used on George Floyd before he was killed, the Oregonian reports. Thousands in Portland marched onto the Burnside Bridge. Once there, they lay face down with their hands behind their backs — symbolizing the restraint that officers used on George Floyd before he was killed, the Oregonian reports.
Medical students in lab coats, carrying signs that read “White Coats for Black Lives” assembled in Portland’s Pioneer Square and Caesar The No Drama Llama also reportedly turned up in solidarity.Medical students in lab coats, carrying signs that read “White Coats for Black Lives” assembled in Portland’s Pioneer Square and Caesar The No Drama Llama also reportedly turned up in solidarity.
More election results: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.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.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.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:The Guardian’s Ankita Rao reports from Brooklyn:
Thousands of people were blockaded on Manhattan Bridge, as the protests against police brutality led past the 8 pm curfew. 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.Thousands of people were blockaded on Manhattan Bridge, as the protests against police brutality led past the 8 pm curfew. 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.
“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.“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.
The Brooklyn Bridge, which also connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, was barricaded as well.The Brooklyn Bridge, which also connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, was barricaded as well.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted that the situation was unsafe, and that she was coming to the scene. Mayor De Blasio also visited the Barclays Center, where many of the week’s protests have originated, and said it was a calm situation. At around 11 pm the protestors from Brooklyn decided to turn around and walk back.Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted that the situation was unsafe, and that she was coming to the scene. Mayor De Blasio also visited the Barclays Center, where many of the week’s protests have originated, and said it was a calm situation. At around 11 pm the protestors from Brooklyn decided to turn around and walk back.
“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.“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”.
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.”
Moore apologized minutes later, saying he “misspoke”.
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.
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 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.
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.
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:
Shooting 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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
Analysis: 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 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.
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.
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.