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George Floyd protests: thousands march peacefully in New York, defying curfew – live George Floyd killing: Seattle police use teargas to disperse peaceful protesters – live
(31 minutes later)
Demonstrators defy curfews as protests rage for eighth dayDemonstrators defy curfews as protests rage for eighth day
Protesters in Seattle can be clearly heard in this video shouting, “Don’t shoot”.
Footage posted by Shauna Sowersby, a local reporter and photographer, on Twitter.
It is after midnight now in the city.
More from Seattle:
Protesters are running away from police, according to a Seattle Times reporter at the scene.
Good day/night,Good day/night,
Oliver Holmes here again, blogging deep into the night across the US.Oliver Holmes here again, blogging deep into the night across the US.
I’m logging on as police in Seattle have begun dispersing protests there, which had apparently been peaceful all day.I’m logging on as police in Seattle have begun dispersing protests there, which had apparently been peaceful all day.
Casey Martin, an NPR reporter, is tweeting from the city, where he says protests dwindled in size over the evening before police started using pepper spray and flashbacks. The crowds threw water bottles.Casey Martin, an NPR reporter, is tweeting from the city, where he says protests dwindled in size over the evening before police started using pepper spray and flashbacks. The crowds threw water bottles.
Earlier, Martin had filmed a large group of marchers:Earlier, Martin had filmed a large group of marchers:
We will keep following.We will keep following.
As always, please do get in contact with me if you think something is worth sharing, and also for any questions or feedback. You can reach me via Twitter or on email: oliver.holmes [at] theguardian.comAs always, please do get in contact with me if you think something is worth sharing, and also for any questions or feedback. You can reach me via Twitter or on email: oliver.holmes [at] theguardian.com
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. Thank you for following along and, as always for the tips and feedback on Twitter and via email.That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. Thank you for following along and, as always for the tips and feedback on Twitter and via email.
My colleague Oliver Holmes is picking up the live coverage – as we’re hearing more reports of police dispersing protestors in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington.My colleague Oliver Holmes is picking up the live coverage – as we’re hearing more reports of police dispersing protestors in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington.
Police are dispersing crowds in Portland using teargas, the Oregonian reports:Police are dispersing crowds in Portland using teargas, the Oregonian reports:
Arial footage from KATU ABC 2 news:Arial footage from KATU ABC 2 news:
The District of Colombia National Guard is investigating the use of helicopters that flew over protesters in Washington, DC yesterday in what appeared to be an attempt to disperse the crowds.The District of Colombia National Guard is investigating the use of helicopters that flew over protesters in Washington, DC yesterday in what appeared to be an attempt to disperse the crowds.
The DCNG announced in a statement on its website:The DCNG announced in a statement on its website:
In the announcement, DCNG commanding general William J Walker is quoted as saying, “I hold all members of the District of Columbia National Guard to the highest of standards. We live and work in the District, and we are dedicated to the service of our nation,”In the announcement, DCNG commanding general William J Walker is quoted as saying, “I hold all members of the District of Columbia National Guard to the highest of standards. We live and work in the District, and we are dedicated to the service of our nation,”
“I have directed an immediate investigation into the June 1 incident.”“I have directed an immediate investigation into the June 1 incident.”
Here is the video of that incident:Here is the video of that incident:
New York City police officers surrounded, shoved and yelled expletives at two Associated Press journalists covering protests Tuesday in the latest aggression against members of the media during a week of unrest around the country, AP reports.New York City police officers surrounded, shoved and yelled expletives at two Associated Press journalists covering protests Tuesday in the latest aggression against members of the media during a week of unrest around the country, AP reports.
Portions of the incident were captured on video by videojournalist Robert Bumsted, who was working with photographer Maye-E Wong to document the protests in lower Manhattan over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.The video shows more than a half-dozen officers confronting the journalists as they filmed and took photographs of police ordering protesters to leave the area near Fulton and Broadway shortly after an 8pm curfew took effect.Portions of the incident were captured on video by videojournalist Robert Bumsted, who was working with photographer Maye-E Wong to document the protests in lower Manhattan over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.The video shows more than a half-dozen officers confronting the journalists as they filmed and took photographs of police ordering protesters to leave the area near Fulton and Broadway shortly after an 8pm curfew took effect.
Both journalists were wearing AP identification and identified themselves as media.NYPD officials said they would review the incident as soon as possible.Journalists have faced aggressive police and protesters during demonstrations across the US over the killing of Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died after a white officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck.Both journalists were wearing AP identification and identified themselves as media.NYPD officials said they would review the incident as soon as possible.Journalists have faced aggressive police and protesters during demonstrations across the US over the killing of Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died after a white officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck.
Here is the full story on the Paris protests inspired by demonstrations in the US:Here is the full story on the Paris protests inspired by demonstrations in the US:
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 a black man in police custody, galvanised by US demonstrations against racism and deadly police violence, AP reports.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 a black man in police custody, galvanised by US demonstrations against racism and deadly police violence, AP reports.
The protesters used slogans from the American protest movement to call for justice for Adama Traore, whose death four years ago has been a rallying cause against police brutality in France.The protesters used slogans from the American protest movement to call for justice for Adama Traore, whose death four years ago has been a rallying cause against police brutality in France.
The demonstration, which came after the release of two differing medical reports into the cause of Traore’s death, had been prohibited by police citing a coronavirus ban on gatherings of more than 10 people.The demonstration, which came after the release of two differing medical reports into the cause of Traore’s death, had been prohibited by police citing a coronavirus ban on gatherings of more than 10 people.
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: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:
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.
I’m @helenrsullivan.
Alternatively, 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.
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.
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.
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.”
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:
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.
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”.
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.
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 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.
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.
“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.