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George Floyd protests: violence escalates overnight after Trump's threat to deploy army – live George Floyd protests: violence escalates overnight after Trump's threat to deploy army – live
(31 minutes later)
Protests in Philadelphia met with aggression from police; four officers shot in St LouisProtests in Philadelphia met with aggression from police; four officers shot in St Louis
Monday night saw continued peaceful protests and violence in many major US cities. Here’s an at-a-glance guide:
Washington DC: Peaceful protesters were tear gassed to make way for a 17 minute photo shoot of President Trump in front of St. John’s Church. The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese the church belonged to said she was “outraged” by the president’s actions.
Minneapolis, Minnesota: In the city where police violence sparked unrest across the country, protesters were peaceful a day after pleas from George Floyd’s brother.
New York City: Heavy handed police tactics over the weekend in Brooklyn gave way to peaceful protests Monday night. But stores were looted in the Midtown and Soho neighborhoods of Manhattan.
Chicago, Illinois: Protesters were peaceful in much of Chicago, but looting marred protests in the suburb of Naperville. In the suburb of Cicero, two people were killed.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas on protesters who blocked traffic.
Baltimore, Maryland: Thousands of people protested in this city, which just five years ago was roiled by the death of Freddie Gray, who was black, in police custody.
Oakland, California: Thousands of peaceful protesters gathered in the city.
Las Vegas, Nevada: A police officer and an armed man were shot amid protests near the famous “Strip”. At least 338 people have been arrested in Las Vegas after protests through the weekend and the week.
Atlanta, Georgia: At least 55 protesters were arrested in Atlanta when they blocked a roadway. It is the fourth day of protests in that city.
Nashville, Tennessee: Peaceful protesters cheered when National Guard troops laid down their shields.
St. Louis, Missouri: A peaceful protest devolved into looting, and four officers were later shot. All are expected to recover, and it is unclear who fired shots which injured the officers.
Louisville, Kentucky: Peaceful protests refocused on loss within the community, after two police officers shot and killed a local business owner during protests, but failed to turn on their body cameras. The mayor fired the police chief as a result.
Buffalo, New York: Two police officers were injured when they were struck by a vehicle amid protests.
Around the world… Sydney, Australia: Thousands of protesters marched in solidarity with anti-racism protesters in the US. Placards read, “Black Lives Matter” and “Aboriginal Lives Matter”.
After Trump’s gas-protesters-to-walk-to-church-and-hold-up-a-Bible stunt on Monday night, there is of course a lot of conversation going on about just how religious this three-times-married, pussy-grabbing, settlement-paying, race-baiting, greed-worshipping president really is.After Trump’s gas-protesters-to-walk-to-church-and-hold-up-a-Bible stunt on Monday night, there is of course a lot of conversation going on about just how religious this three-times-married, pussy-grabbing, settlement-paying, race-baiting, greed-worshipping president really is.
And, therefore, a clip from the 2016 campaign trail is duly doing the rounds on social media. It shows then-candidate Trump interviewed by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, then of Bloomberg Politics, about the Bible, which he had been telling crowds at his rallies was his favourite book.And, therefore, a clip from the 2016 campaign trail is duly doing the rounds on social media. It shows then-candidate Trump interviewed by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, then of Bloomberg Politics, about the Bible, which he had been telling crowds at his rallies was his favourite book.
Halperin: “I’m wondering what one or two of your most favorite Bible verses are and why.”Halperin: “I’m wondering what one or two of your most favorite Bible verses are and why.”
Trump: “I wouldn’t want to get into it, because to me that’s very personal. You know, when I talk about the Bible it’s very personal so I don’t want to get into verses.”Trump: “I wouldn’t want to get into it, because to me that’s very personal. You know, when I talk about the Bible it’s very personal so I don’t want to get into verses.”
Halperin: “There’s no verses that you think about or want to cite?”Halperin: “There’s no verses that you think about or want to cite?”
Trump: “The Bible means a lot to me but I don’t want to get into specifics.”Trump: “The Bible means a lot to me but I don’t want to get into specifics.”
Halperin: “Even to cite a verse?”Halperin: “Even to cite a verse?”
Trump: “No, I don’t want to do that.”Trump: “No, I don’t want to do that.”
Heilemann: “Are you an Old Testament guy or a New Testament guy?”Heilemann: “Are you an Old Testament guy or a New Testament guy?”
Trump says: “Probably equal. I think it’s just incredible, the whole Bible is incredible. I always joke, I say very much so, I hold up The Art of the Deal, I say my second-favourite book of all time. But I just think the Bible is something very special.”Trump says: “Probably equal. I think it’s just incredible, the whole Bible is incredible. I always joke, I say very much so, I hold up The Art of the Deal, I say my second-favourite book of all time. But I just think the Bible is something very special.”
So there’s that.So there’s that.
As for why evangelical Christians, such a powerful voting bloc in the Republican party, support Trump so fervently, here’s John S Gardner’s review of Ralph Reed’s book, For God and Country: The Christian Case for Trump. Safe to say, John isn’t buying.As for why evangelical Christians, such a powerful voting bloc in the Republican party, support Trump so fervently, here’s John S Gardner’s review of Ralph Reed’s book, For God and Country: The Christian Case for Trump. Safe to say, John isn’t buying.
On Monday night, hosts on CNN and Fox News gave voice to the schism in US society over the George Floyd protests and Donald Trump’s threat to use the army against them.On Monday night, hosts on CNN and Fox News gave voice to the schism in US society over the George Floyd protests and Donald Trump’s threat to use the army against them.
On CNN, Don Lemon said: “Open your eyes, America. We are teetering on a dictatorship.”On CNN, Don Lemon said: “Open your eyes, America. We are teetering on a dictatorship.”
Later, Anderson Cooper noted that protests against police brutality and the killing of African American men and women are specifically asking for law and order, and said: “The president seems to think dominating black people, dominating peaceful protesters, is law and order. It’s not.”Later, Anderson Cooper noted that protests against police brutality and the killing of African American men and women are specifically asking for law and order, and said: “The president seems to think dominating black people, dominating peaceful protesters, is law and order. It’s not.”
On Fox, Trump booster Tucker Carlson spoke for nearly half-an-hour, urging the president to forcibly put the protests down.On Fox, Trump booster Tucker Carlson spoke for nearly half-an-hour, urging the president to forcibly put the protests down.
“You can regularly say embarrassing things on television,” Carlson said. “You can hire Omarosa to work at the White House. All of that will be forgiven if you protect your people. But if you do not protect them … then you’re done.”“You can regularly say embarrassing things on television,” Carlson said. “You can hire Omarosa to work at the White House. All of that will be forgiven if you protect your people. But if you do not protect them … then you’re done.”
With the protests coming on top of a pandemic which has killed more than 100,000 people in the US and an economy which has cratered as a result, Trump is trailing Joe Biden, his presumptive challenger in November, in most polls.With the protests coming on top of a pandemic which has killed more than 100,000 people in the US and an economy which has cratered as a result, Trump is trailing Joe Biden, his presumptive challenger in November, in most polls.
Noting that a Fox News reporter had been attacked – as have many reporters from a host of outlets, by police as well as protesters – Carlson, speaking directly to a president who was almost certainly watching, asked: “How are you going to protect the country? How hard are you trying?”Noting that a Fox News reporter had been attacked – as have many reporters from a host of outlets, by police as well as protesters – Carlson, speaking directly to a president who was almost certainly watching, asked: “How are you going to protect the country? How hard are you trying?”
Mariann Budde, the Bishop of Washington, has been speaking to ABC’s Good Morning America. Thanks to Joanna Walters for the quotes…Mariann Budde, the Bishop of Washington, has been speaking to ABC’s Good Morning America. Thanks to Joanna Walters for the quotes…
“This is an excruciating moment,” Budde said, “and a crisis moment in our country, where we need healing and reconciliation and we need justice.”“This is an excruciating moment,” Budde said, “and a crisis moment in our country, where we need healing and reconciliation and we need justice.”
Budde was asked about what happened on Monday night, when police in riot gear fired teargas and charged a crowd around St John’s church before Trump and aides walked across from the White House for a photo opportunity, Trump holding up a Bible for the cameras.Budde was asked about what happened on Monday night, when police in riot gear fired teargas and charged a crowd around St John’s church before Trump and aides walked across from the White House for a photo opportunity, Trump holding up a Bible for the cameras.
The president, she said, had been “holding up a Bible as if it was justification for a message that is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus”.The president, she said, had been “holding up a Bible as if it was justification for a message that is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus”.
Budde spoke forcefully on the matter on Monday night.Budde spoke forcefully on the matter on Monday night.
“I felt I had to dissociate myself from that and give a message of justice and peace to the nation,” she told ABC, adding that she was given no notice that the president was going to visit the church.“I felt I had to dissociate myself from that and give a message of justice and peace to the nation,” she told ABC, adding that she was given no notice that the president was going to visit the church.
“I was sitting and watching the news with my mother when I saw what everyone else saw,” she said.“I was sitting and watching the news with my mother when I saw what everyone else saw,” she said.
Damage to the church was minor, she said, after fire fighters rushed to put out a fire started when a window was smashed and something inflammatory was thrown into one room during Sunday’s protests.Damage to the church was minor, she said, after fire fighters rushed to put out a fire started when a window was smashed and something inflammatory was thrown into one room during Sunday’s protests.
St John’s is known as the “Church of the Presidents”, as every one since James Madison has worshipped there. (When friends of mine were married there a few years ago, a pew at the back with double leg room was labelled as the place where Abraham Lincoln used to sit when he wandered over from the White House to listen in to a service. Whether Lincoln was a Christian or not is, to people like me at least, a fascinating subject.)St John’s is known as the “Church of the Presidents”, as every one since James Madison has worshipped there. (When friends of mine were married there a few years ago, a pew at the back with double leg room was labelled as the place where Abraham Lincoln used to sit when he wandered over from the White House to listen in to a service. Whether Lincoln was a Christian or not is, to people like me at least, a fascinating subject.)
Asked if Trump would be welcome at the church now, Buddy said: “He is welcome to pray. Presidents are welcome as citizens of our country, to pray, to kneel before God in humility.Asked if Trump would be welcome at the church now, Buddy said: “He is welcome to pray. Presidents are welcome as citizens of our country, to pray, to kneel before God in humility.
“He is not entitled to use the symbolism to promote an entirely different message. The outrage we are hearing from so many of … the nation’s young people and people of colour, we need to align ourselves with the God of unconditional love and justice.”“He is not entitled to use the symbolism to promote an entirely different message. The outrage we are hearing from so many of … the nation’s young people and people of colour, we need to align ourselves with the God of unconditional love and justice.”
At Axios, Jonathan Swan has two fascinating anonymous quotes from the Trump White House, about the decision to speak in the Rose Garden yesterday, and to order the gassing and beating of protesters in Lafayette Square so the president could walk to St John’s church and be seen in public:At Axios, Jonathan Swan has two fascinating anonymous quotes from the Trump White House, about the decision to speak in the Rose Garden yesterday, and to order the gassing and beating of protesters in Lafayette Square so the president could walk to St John’s church and be seen in public:
As protests took place on Friday, remember, Trump was taken to a reinforced bunker under the White House. On Saturday he left for Florida and the SpaceX launch – and spoke about the killing of George Floyd while there – but on Sunday, as protests continued, Trump was not seen or heard from.As protests took place on Friday, remember, Trump was taken to a reinforced bunker under the White House. On Saturday he left for Florida and the SpaceX launch – and spoke about the killing of George Floyd while there – but on Sunday, as protests continued, Trump was not seen or heard from.
Overnight into Monday, as fires burned in Washington and other cities, the lights on the north side of the White House were switched off, something which usually only happens when a president dies.Overnight into Monday, as fires burned in Washington and other cities, the lights on the north side of the White House were switched off, something which usually only happens when a president dies.
And then a call between Trump and governors, in which the president ranted about bringing in the army, “dominating” the protests and the need for mass arrests and harsh sentencing, was swiftly leaked to media outlets including Guardian US.And then a call between Trump and governors, in which the president ranted about bringing in the army, “dominating” the protests and the need for mass arrests and harsh sentencing, was swiftly leaked to media outlets including Guardian US.
It was all disastrous for the president. And so, in short, the whole chaotic scene last night, in which, again, peaceful protesters were hit with tear gas, was just a stunt for the cameras.It was all disastrous for the president. And so, in short, the whole chaotic scene last night, in which, again, peaceful protesters were hit with tear gas, was just a stunt for the cameras.
Here’s David Smith, our Washington bureau chief:Here’s David Smith, our Washington bureau chief:
Outside St John’s, the Church of the Presidents, Trump stood with bible in hand. It caused widespread outrage and widespread quoting of a line about American fascism attributed to the novelist Sinclair Lewis.Outside St John’s, the Church of the Presidents, Trump stood with bible in hand. It caused widespread outrage and widespread quoting of a line about American fascism attributed to the novelist Sinclair Lewis.
Here’s American academic in London and Guardian contributor Sarah Churchwell, with a fascinating thread on who actually said it:Here’s American academic in London and Guardian contributor Sarah Churchwell, with a fascinating thread on who actually said it:
Good morning from New York, where I’m taking on the blog for a while before Joan Greve signs in from Washington.Good morning from New York, where I’m taking on the blog for a while before Joan Greve signs in from Washington.
I’m in Washington Heights, where lockdown calm still reigns, a long way from the protests in this city. (There’s something very New York indeed about the New York Times live blog I just linked to: it begins with the weather and the all-important notice that alternate-side parking is “suspended through Sunday”.)I’m in Washington Heights, where lockdown calm still reigns, a long way from the protests in this city. (There’s something very New York indeed about the New York Times live blog I just linked to: it begins with the weather and the all-important notice that alternate-side parking is “suspended through Sunday”.)
The Times is copping a lot of flack this morning – that might be a very British phrase, in which case, it’s being criticised widely – for a front page which did not foreground Donald Trump’s decision to gas and attack peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square so he could stage a walk to a church as a photo op.The Times is copping a lot of flack this morning – that might be a very British phrase, in which case, it’s being criticised widely – for a front page which did not foreground Donald Trump’s decision to gas and attack peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square so he could stage a walk to a church as a photo op.
Here’s a tweet from David Boardman, a former Seattle Times editor turned journalism academic that sums up, in sober fashion, much of the reaction to the Times’ decisions:Here’s a tweet from David Boardman, a former Seattle Times editor turned journalism academic that sums up, in sober fashion, much of the reaction to the Times’ decisions:
The Times story on Trump’s decision, it should be noted, did not pull any punches.The Times story on Trump’s decision, it should be noted, did not pull any punches.
I’m going to hand over now to my colleague in New York, Martin Pengelly.I’m going to hand over now to my colleague in New York, Martin Pengelly.
Thank you for all your helpful emails and messages.Thank you for all your helpful emails and messages.
The archbishop of York in the UK has said he would join protests over the death of George Floyd but that violence should not be part of the action.The archbishop of York in the UK has said he would join protests over the death of George Floyd but that violence should not be part of the action.
John Sentamu, the most senior black leader in the Church of England who retires on Sunday, said he was shielding at present, but added: “I certainly would want to join [the protests]. But at the moment it turns to violence, I wouldn’t be there because I don’t believe violence is the same as going out and protesting.John Sentamu, the most senior black leader in the Church of England who retires on Sunday, said he was shielding at present, but added: “I certainly would want to join [the protests]. But at the moment it turns to violence, I wouldn’t be there because I don’t believe violence is the same as going out and protesting.
“People should have the right to protest but not use violence, because I’m afraid you can end up in trouble and arrested.”“People should have the right to protest but not use violence, because I’m afraid you can end up in trouble and arrested.”
Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, Sentamu was also critical of Donald Trump’s threat to use troops against protesters in US cities.Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, Sentamu was also critical of Donald Trump’s threat to use troops against protesters in US cities.
“People sometimes think that because you’ve got the power and the authority, you can abuse that authority. Martin Luther King said that violence causes as many problems as it solve … darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that; hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.“People sometimes think that because you’ve got the power and the authority, you can abuse that authority. Martin Luther King said that violence causes as many problems as it solve … darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that; hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.
“The problem is America has not been listening to the real problems of African Americans and people of colour,” he said.“The problem is America has not been listening to the real problems of African Americans and people of colour,” he said.
The country had not “dealt with this endemic brutality that some people experience from people in uniform”.The country had not “dealt with this endemic brutality that some people experience from people in uniform”.
Although he condemned violence from protesters and authorities, he said people who had watched the video of a police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck were “saying enough is enough”.Although he condemned violence from protesters and authorities, he said people who had watched the video of a police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck were “saying enough is enough”.
Hi – Oliver Holmes still here.Hi – Oliver Holmes still here.
People can get in contact with me if you see something you think is worth putting on our blog. And thank you for the contributions so far.People can get in contact with me if you see something you think is worth putting on our blog. And thank you for the contributions so far.
You can reach me via Twitter or on email: oliver.holmes [at] theguardian.comYou can reach me via Twitter or on email: oliver.holmes [at] theguardian.com
Below is a very powerful photo by a photographer from a Sunday protest in downtown Long Beach, California, which is receiving a lot of attention online after he posted it in the past few hours.Below is a very powerful photo by a photographer from a Sunday protest in downtown Long Beach, California, which is receiving a lot of attention online after he posted it in the past few hours.
Richard Grant has been clear the man was not fired on but that police did “occasionally” point their rubber bullet guns towards him.Richard Grant has been clear the man was not fired on but that police did “occasionally” point their rubber bullet guns towards him.
It is now well into Tuesday across the US. We are trying to make sense of a night of protests that has witnessed escalating violence following threats by President Trump to deploy the military.It is now well into Tuesday across the US. We are trying to make sense of a night of protests that has witnessed escalating violence following threats by President Trump to deploy the military.
A week after the police killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man who died in Minneapolis when a police officer kneeled on his neck, and the demonstrations have not let up.A week after the police killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man who died in Minneapolis when a police officer kneeled on his neck, and the demonstrations have not let up.
Curfews have been ignored, and both police and protesters are accused of unwarranted attacks, with confrontations in the street raising tensions and quickly turning peaceful protests into street fights.Curfews have been ignored, and both police and protesters are accused of unwarranted attacks, with confrontations in the street raising tensions and quickly turning peaceful protests into street fights.
In St Louis, four police officers were wounded by gunfire, while in Buffalo, two people were injured when a car rammed into a line of law enforcement officers.In St Louis, four police officers were wounded by gunfire, while in Buffalo, two people were injured when a car rammed into a line of law enforcement officers.
Shootings involving police were also reported in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, authorities in the Chicago suburb of Cicero, where protests have been held, said two people had been killed, although they did not identify the victims or circumstances.Shootings involving police were also reported in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, authorities in the Chicago suburb of Cicero, where protests have been held, said two people had been killed, although they did not identify the victims or circumstances.
A dramatic Trump photo-op preceded the night, in which Washington DC police forcefully cleared the streets with teargas, rubber bullets and flash-bangs so the president could pose in front of a church and hold the bible.A dramatic Trump photo-op preceded the night, in which Washington DC police forcefully cleared the streets with teargas, rubber bullets and flash-bangs so the president could pose in front of a church and hold the bible.
“I am your president of law and order,” Trump said outside the church. “I am mobilising all available federal resources, civilian and military, to stop the rioting and looting, to end the destruction and arson and to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans, including your second amendment rights.”“I am your president of law and order,” Trump said outside the church. “I am mobilising all available federal resources, civilian and military, to stop the rioting and looting, to end the destruction and arson and to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans, including your second amendment rights.”
He vowed to crack down on “professional anarchists, looters, criminals, antifa and others” whose actions had “gripped” America.He vowed to crack down on “professional anarchists, looters, criminals, antifa and others” whose actions had “gripped” America.
Our Washington bureau chief, David Smith, reported on the event that enraged demonstrators but also irked the bishop of the episcopal diocese of Washington. The Right Rev Mariann Budde said she was “not given even a courtesy call, that they would be clearing [the area] with tear gas so they could use one of our churches as a prop”.Our Washington bureau chief, David Smith, reported on the event that enraged demonstrators but also irked the bishop of the episcopal diocese of Washington. The Right Rev Mariann Budde said she was “not given even a courtesy call, that they would be clearing [the area] with tear gas so they could use one of our churches as a prop”.
Richard Wolffe, a Guardian US columnist, says the photo op showed the US leader had reached the “mad emperor” stage:Richard Wolffe, a Guardian US columnist, says the photo op showed the US leader had reached the “mad emperor” stage: