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George Floyd killing: Seattle police use teargas to disperse peaceful protesters – live Seattle police use teargas to disperse peaceful protesters – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
Demonstrators defy curfews as protests rage for eighth dayDemonstrators defy curfews as protests rage for eighth day
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Tens of thousands attended a memorial for George Floyd in his home town of Houston. Members of Floyd’s family were in attendance, alongside the mayor, the police chief and a group of protesters on horseback, with attendees paying respects to a “gentle giant”
Although details of each incident are still unclear, the death toll from the protests in the US has reached at least 11.
Protests in Washington were responded to more peacefully than in recent days, however, the capital remains on high alert, with about 1,600 US soldiers moved to the DC region, according to the Pentagon.
Derrick Johnson, the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), has written for the Guardian saying: “The expendability of Black lives is not a flaw in the system; it is the system. We are meant to die or, at the very least, we are not meant to be protected, to be respected, to be valued, to be considered fully human.
The NFL has been accused of hypocrisy with its public anti-racism statements after the high profile treatment of Colin Kaepernick’s protests.
Inspired by the US demonstrations, 20,000 people defy a ban to rally in the streets of French capital Paris, with a focus on justice for Adama Traore, whose death four years ago has been a rallying cause against police brutality in France.
The US Park Police (USPP) has defended its forceful clearing of protesters for a controversial Trump photo-op on Monday.The US Park Police (USPP) has defended its forceful clearing of protesters for a controversial Trump photo-op on Monday.
In a statement, the agency accused “violent protestors” of “throwing projectiles including bricks, frozen water bottles and caustic liquids”.In a statement, the agency accused “violent protestors” of “throwing projectiles including bricks, frozen water bottles and caustic liquids”.
It denied that tear gas was used and said officers instead “employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls”.It denied that tear gas was used and said officers instead “employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls”.
The statement does not tally with multiple reports on the ground that day. This nearly-two hour video from Reuters shows a peaceful protest pushed back.The statement does not tally with multiple reports on the ground that day. This nearly-two hour video from Reuters shows a peaceful protest pushed back.
An investigative reporter in DC, Nathan Baca, also picked up a canister at the scene that does appear to cause irritation.An investigative reporter in DC, Nathan Baca, also picked up a canister at the scene that does appear to cause irritation.
Germany’s foreign minister has criticised Donald Trump’s threat to use the US military against protesters in his own country, saying “democrats must never escalate – even with their words”.Germany’s foreign minister has criticised Donald Trump’s threat to use the US military against protesters in his own country, saying “democrats must never escalate – even with their words”.
“Instead of pouring oil into the fire, we should seek reconciliation”, Heiko Maas told Der Spiegel news website. “Instead of allowing ourselves to be divided, we should stand shoulder to shoulder against radical extremists.”“Instead of pouring oil into the fire, we should seek reconciliation”, Heiko Maas told Der Spiegel news website. “Instead of allowing ourselves to be divided, we should stand shoulder to shoulder against radical extremists.”
Earlier in the week, the Social Democrat politician had described the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police as “cruel and shocking”.Earlier in the week, the Social Democrat politician had described the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police as “cruel and shocking”.
One remarkable aspect of these protests has been images of both police and officials “taking the knee” at demonstrations.One remarkable aspect of these protests has been images of both police and officials “taking the knee” at demonstrations.
The latest high-profile person to do so was Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who knelt with a crowd outside a police headquarters.The latest high-profile person to do so was Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who knelt with a crowd outside a police headquarters.
As demonstrators yelled that the city’s law enforcement budget should be cut, the mayor told demonstrators: “I hear you. I hear what you are saying about the police.”As demonstrators yelled that the city’s law enforcement budget should be cut, the mayor told demonstrators: “I hear you. I hear what you are saying about the police.”
No doubt these actions are hugely symbolic – they stem from athletes, notably NFL star Colin Kaepernick, kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality. Trump and his supporters have painted those taking the knee as unpatriotic.No doubt these actions are hugely symbolic – they stem from athletes, notably NFL star Colin Kaepernick, kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality. Trump and his supporters have painted those taking the knee as unpatriotic.
In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was moved by seeing NYPD Chief of Department Terry Monahan take the knee (video below):In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was moved by seeing NYPD Chief of Department Terry Monahan take the knee (video below):
Blasio tweeted about it, saying: “Moments like that are how I know we will find a way through.”Blasio tweeted about it, saying: “Moments like that are how I know we will find a way through.”
However, it is unclear what effect these actions of some police and public figures will have on protesters, who want to end systemic and institutionalised racism – rather than simply convince individuals.However, it is unclear what effect these actions of some police and public figures will have on protesters, who want to end systemic and institutionalised racism – rather than simply convince individuals.
For example, in Los Angeles, after Garcetti’s knelt, hundreds still gathered outside his house and protested.For example, in Los Angeles, after Garcetti’s knelt, hundreds still gathered outside his house and protested.
For those of you just joining us after a news break, it’s worth taking a look this photo of camouflaged and masked US troops at the Lincoln Memorial in the capital. No doubt this picture, taken on Tuesday evening, will become one of the many defining images of the protest movement.For those of you just joining us after a news break, it’s worth taking a look this photo of camouflaged and masked US troops at the Lincoln Memorial in the capital. No doubt this picture, taken on Tuesday evening, will become one of the many defining images of the protest movement.
Derrick Johnson, the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), has written a very blunt piece in the Guardian, which is worth reading in full but here’s an extract:Derrick Johnson, the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), has written a very blunt piece in the Guardian, which is worth reading in full but here’s an extract:
For the column, click below:For the column, click below:
Protesters in Seattle can be clearly heard in this video shouting, “Don’t shoot”.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.Footage posted by Shauna Sowersby, a local reporter and photographer, on Twitter.
It is after midnight now in the city.It is after midnight now in the city.
More from Seattle:More from Seattle:
Protesters are running away from police, according to a Seattle Times reporter at the scene.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: