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George Floyd Updates: 3 More Officers Charged; Chauvin Murder Charge Upgraded George Floyd Updates: 3 More Officers Charged; Chauvin Murder Charge Upgraded
(32 minutes later)
Minnesota officials charged three more former police officers on Wednesday in the death of George Floyd, and added a higher charge to those already lodged against the former officer who held his knee to Mr. Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.Minnesota officials charged three more former police officers on Wednesday in the death of George Floyd, and added a higher charge to those already lodged against the former officer who held his knee to Mr. Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes.
Keith Ellison, the attorney general of Minnesota, announced the charges at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.Keith Ellison, the attorney general of Minnesota, announced the charges at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
The three officers, Thomas Lane, 37, J. Alexander Kueng, 26, and Tou Thao, 34, were charged with aiding and abetting murder, court records show. Mr. Kueng was in custody on Wednesday, county jail records showed. The authorities said they were in the process of arresting Mr. Lane and Mr. Thao.The three officers, Thomas Lane, 37, J. Alexander Kueng, 26, and Tou Thao, 34, were charged with aiding and abetting murder, court records show. Mr. Kueng was in custody on Wednesday, county jail records showed. The authorities said they were in the process of arresting Mr. Lane and Mr. Thao.
The fourth officer, Derek Chauvin, 44, who was arrested last week, faces an increased charge of second-degree murder.The fourth officer, Derek Chauvin, 44, who was arrested last week, faces an increased charge of second-degree murder.
“This is a bittersweet moment,” Ben Crump, a lawyer for Mr. Floyd’s family, said in a statement. “This is a significant step forward on the road toward justice, and we are gratified that this important action was brought before George Floyd’s body was laid to rest. That is a source of peace for George’s family in this painful time.”“This is a bittersweet moment,” Ben Crump, a lawyer for Mr. Floyd’s family, said in a statement. “This is a significant step forward on the road toward justice, and we are gratified that this important action was brought before George Floyd’s body was laid to rest. That is a source of peace for George’s family in this painful time.”
All four officers were quickly fired from the Minneapolis Police Department after video of the fatal encounter emerged. Prosecutors faced growing calls for charges against all four, as anger and anguish over Mr. Floyd’s death sent demonstrators into the streets in cities and towns across the country over the past week.All four officers were quickly fired from the Minneapolis Police Department after video of the fatal encounter emerged. Prosecutors faced growing calls for charges against all four, as anger and anguish over Mr. Floyd’s death sent demonstrators into the streets in cities and towns across the country over the past week.
Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota said that the new charges “are a meaningful step toward justice for George Floyd.” But he added, “We must also recognize that the anguish driving protests around the world is about more than one tragic incident.”Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota said that the new charges “are a meaningful step toward justice for George Floyd.” But he added, “We must also recognize that the anguish driving protests around the world is about more than one tragic incident.”
Mr. Thao had faced six prior misconduct complaints in his career with the Minneapolis Police Department. He also was the subject of a lawsuit that claimed he and another officer punched, kicked and kneed an African-American man, leaving the man with broken teeth and bruises. A lawyer involved in the case said that the city settled the case by agreeing to pay $25,000.Mr. Thao had faced six prior misconduct complaints in his career with the Minneapolis Police Department. He also was the subject of a lawsuit that claimed he and another officer punched, kicked and kneed an African-American man, leaving the man with broken teeth and bruises. A lawyer involved in the case said that the city settled the case by agreeing to pay $25,000.
Mr. Chauvin had faced at least 17 misconduct complaints over nearly two decades with the department.Mr. Chauvin had faced at least 17 misconduct complaints over nearly two decades with the department.
Neither Mr. Lane nor Mr. Kueng had prior misconduct complaints filed against them, according to the police department.Neither Mr. Lane nor Mr. Kueng had prior misconduct complaints filed against them, according to the police department.
Keith Ellison, the Minnesota attorney general, asked the public on Wednesday for patience during a criminal investigation that would take months to complete, and he cautioned that history showed the challenges of prosecuting police officers.Keith Ellison, the Minnesota attorney general, asked the public on Wednesday for patience during a criminal investigation that would take months to complete, and he cautioned that history showed the challenges of prosecuting police officers.
“Trying this case will not be an easy thing,” he said. “Winning a conviction will be hard.”“Trying this case will not be an easy thing,” he said. “Winning a conviction will be hard.”
He also called on protesters to continue peaceful demonstrations and to work toward more lasting change.He also called on protesters to continue peaceful demonstrations and to work toward more lasting change.
“The very fact we have filed these charges means we have believed in them,” Mr. Ellison said. “But what I do not believe is that one successful prosecution can rectify the hurt and loss that so many people feel.”“The very fact we have filed these charges means we have believed in them,” Mr. Ellison said. “But what I do not believe is that one successful prosecution can rectify the hurt and loss that so many people feel.”
Mr. Chauvin kept his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, including for 2 minutes 53 seconds after Mr. Floyd fell unresponsive, according to the initial charging document released by prosecutors.Mr. Chauvin kept his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, including for 2 minutes 53 seconds after Mr. Floyd fell unresponsive, according to the initial charging document released by prosecutors.
The other officers did not stop Mr. Chauvin, and Mr. Lane and Mr. Kueng helped hold Mr. Floyd to the ground for at least part of the time, while Mr. Thao stood nearby, according to video reconstruction of the arrest by The New York Times. Mr. Lane asked at one point whether they should turn Mr. Floyd onto his side, prosecutors said, but Mr. Chauvin said “no, staying put where we got him.”The other officers did not stop Mr. Chauvin, and Mr. Lane and Mr. Kueng helped hold Mr. Floyd to the ground for at least part of the time, while Mr. Thao stood nearby, according to video reconstruction of the arrest by The New York Times. Mr. Lane asked at one point whether they should turn Mr. Floyd onto his side, prosecutors said, but Mr. Chauvin said “no, staying put where we got him.”
At first, Mr. Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder, a charge that Mr. Floyd’s family had criticized as too lenient. He was also charged with second-degree manslaughter. Mr. Ellison announced an addition of a second-degree murder charge on Wednesday.At first, Mr. Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder, a charge that Mr. Floyd’s family had criticized as too lenient. He was also charged with second-degree manslaughter. Mr. Ellison announced an addition of a second-degree murder charge on Wednesday.
In Minnesota, second-degree murder requires prosecutors to prove either that Mr. Chauvin intended to kill Mr. Floyd, or that he did so while committing another felony. A court filing indicated that prosecutors planned to take the latter approach. The maximum penalty is 40 years in prison.In Minnesota, second-degree murder requires prosecutors to prove either that Mr. Chauvin intended to kill Mr. Floyd, or that he did so while committing another felony. A court filing indicated that prosecutors planned to take the latter approach. The maximum penalty is 40 years in prison.
Third-degree murder does not require an intent to kill, according to the Minnesota statute, only that the perpetrator caused someone’s death in a dangerous act “without regard for human life.”Third-degree murder does not require an intent to kill, according to the Minnesota statute, only that the perpetrator caused someone’s death in a dangerous act “without regard for human life.”
Public and private autopsies separately found that Mr. Floyd’s death was a homicide, but differed in their assessments of whether pressure by the police officers was a causal or contributing factor.Public and private autopsies separately found that Mr. Floyd’s death was a homicide, but differed in their assessments of whether pressure by the police officers was a causal or contributing factor.
Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said Wednesday that he does not think the current state of unrest in American cities warrants the deployment of active-duty troops to confront protesters. His comments contradicted President Trump, and came only days after the president said he was considering use of the Insurrection Act to do exactly that.Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said Wednesday that he does not think the current state of unrest in American cities warrants the deployment of active-duty troops to confront protesters. His comments contradicted President Trump, and came only days after the president said he was considering use of the Insurrection Act to do exactly that.
In a Pentagon news conference, Mr. Esper said ordering active-duty troops to police American cities should be a “last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of situations.” He said that, for now, this was not warranted.In a Pentagon news conference, Mr. Esper said ordering active-duty troops to police American cities should be a “last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of situations.” He said that, for now, this was not warranted.
About 1,600 airborne troops and military police have been ordered to be positioned outside the capital, officials said Tuesday night.About 1,600 airborne troops and military police have been ordered to be positioned outside the capital, officials said Tuesday night.
To date, the troops that have assisted with protest response around the country have been National Guard forces under state control, and not active-duty military forces, which are prohibited from carrying out domestic law enforcement under most circumstances. On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida offered to send 500 Florida National Guard troops to Washington.To date, the troops that have assisted with protest response around the country have been National Guard forces under state control, and not active-duty military forces, which are prohibited from carrying out domestic law enforcement under most circumstances. On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida offered to send 500 Florida National Guard troops to Washington.
Officials said that Mr. Trump had discussed invoking the Insurrection Act to permit use of active-duty troops, but had been dissuaded by Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Attorney General William P. Barr.Officials said that Mr. Trump had discussed invoking the Insurrection Act to permit use of active-duty troops, but had been dissuaded by Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Attorney General William P. Barr.
Mr. Esper also acknowledged on Wednesday that he did know beforehand that he was accompanying Mr. Trump to St. John’s Church in Washington Monday evening, changing his initial assertions that he was unaware of his destination when he joined the president for a walk across Lafayette Square for a photo op after authorities tear-gassed protesters to clear the way.Mr. Esper also acknowledged on Wednesday that he did know beforehand that he was accompanying Mr. Trump to St. John’s Church in Washington Monday evening, changing his initial assertions that he was unaware of his destination when he joined the president for a walk across Lafayette Square for a photo op after authorities tear-gassed protesters to clear the way.
President Barack Obama made his first on-camera comments about the killing of George Floyd and the protests over police use of force on Wednesday evening, taking on an increasingly visible role in addressing the nation’s crisis and criticizing the White House. Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday called on every mayor in the United States to review use-of-force policies and make progress on police reforms during his first on-camera remarks since a wave of protests and violence after the killing of George Floyd convulsed the country and upended the 2020 election.
The former president — who is taking pains to avoid upstaging his friend Joseph R. Biden Jr., the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — appeared during a round table with his former attorney general, Eric H. Holder, as part of a video town hall series sponsored by My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, a nonprofit group Mr. Obama founded. Mr. Obama, adopting a notably more measured and less confrontational tone than President Trump, said that the crisis was “unlike anything I have seen in my lifetime” and that it offered an opportunity to curb police violence that would prompt a political “awakening” to unite the country around racial justice and police reform.
“I’ve heard some people say that you have a pandemic, then you have these protests and this reminds people of the ‘60s and the chaos and the discord and distrust throughout the country,” he said. “I know enough about that history to say there is something different. That was a far more representative cross section of America out on the streets peacefully protesting that didn’t exist back in the 1960s.” The former president — who is taking pains to address the crisis without upstaging Joseph R. Biden Jr., his friend and the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — was appearing at a round-table event with his former attorney general, Eric H. Holder Jr., from Washington as part of a video town hall series sponsored by the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, a nonprofit group Mr. Obama founded.
Mr. Obama urged young protesters to channel their rage into political action by turning out for Mr. Biden in November and by embracing specific local measures to hold police officers accountable for abuses. He also was to field a series of questions screened ahead of time and mediated by Mr. Holder. Mr. Obama echoed two online essays he posted over the last week in which he implored young protesters to channel their rage into political action turning out for Mr. Biden in November and to embrace local reforms to hold police officers accountable for abuses of power.
Mr. Obama intended to draw a contrast between the Trump administration’s handling of the crisis and his administration’s approach to issues of race and policing, a person close to the planning said. “This is something that’s got to change,” Mr. Obama said, arguing the challenges of the last few weeks were the result of structural problems in the country. “They’re the result of a long history of slavery, Jim Crow, redlining and institutionalized racism that too often have been the plague of this original sin of our society.”
“We should be fighting to make sure that we have a president, a Congress, a U.S. Justice Department, and a federal judiciary that actually recognize the ongoing, corrosive role that racism plays in our society and want to do something about it,” he wrote in a post on Medium last week. He was also fielding a series of prescreened questions mediated by Mr. Holder. In recent appearances, Mr. Obama has become more forceful in his criticism of the White House, hammering President Trump’s actions without invoking his successor’s name. Mr. Obama rebuked the current administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic as “chaotic” and questioned Mr. Trump’s commitment to the “rule of law” in a call with former members of his White House team last month.
In recent appearances, Mr. Obama has become more forceful in his attacks on the White House, hammering Mr. Trump’s actions without invoking his name. Mr. Obama’s passions are running high, and the disciplined former president is finding it harder to stay on script, friends said. Over the last few days, he has been working the phones with close associates, including Mr. Holder, venting his disgust at the White House’s response to the protests and strategizing about the best way to address the issues without inflaming the crisis or squaring off into a one-on-one fight with Mr. Trump, people close to him said.
Friends of Mr. Obama say his passions are running high, and the disciplined former president is finding it harder to stay on script. Last month, on a conference call with members of his former administration, he called the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus epidemic “chaotic” and questioned Mr. Trump’s commitment to the rule of law.
Over the last few days, Mr. Obama has been working the phones with close associates, including Mr. Holder, venting his disgust at the White House response to the protests and strategizing about the best way to address the issues without inflaming the crisis or squaring off one-on-one with Mr. Trump, people close to him said.
Another former Democratic president, Jimmy Carter, also spoke out on Wednesday. Mr. Carter, who is 95, issued a statement declaring that, “People of power, privilege, and moral conscience must stand up and say ‘no more’ to a racially discriminatory police and justice system, immoral economic disparities between whites and blacks, and government actions that undermine our unified democracy.” He added, “We need a government as good as its people, and we are better than this.”
Mr. Carter allied himself with the concerns of protesters, but not all of the tactics. “We all must shine a spotlight on the immorality of racial discrimination,” he said. “But violence, whether spontaneous or consciously incited, is not a solution.”
Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia plans to order the Robert E. Lee memorial in Richmond to be removed, an official in Northam’s administration said, and Richmond’s mayor said he would propose removing additional Confederate monuments in the city.Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia plans to order the Robert E. Lee memorial in Richmond to be removed, an official in Northam’s administration said, and Richmond’s mayor said he would propose removing additional Confederate monuments in the city.
In recent days, demonstrators in at least six cities focused their anger on symbols of the Confederacy, seizing the opportunity to mar statues and monuments — including the Lee statue in Richmond — that have ignited debate for years.In recent days, demonstrators in at least six cities focused their anger on symbols of the Confederacy, seizing the opportunity to mar statues and monuments — including the Lee statue in Richmond — that have ignited debate for years.
The Northam administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been publicly announced, said Mr. Northam, a Democrat, would release more details at a news conference on Thursday morning.The Northam administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the move had not yet been publicly announced, said Mr. Northam, a Democrat, would release more details at a news conference on Thursday morning.
The administration official said the Robert E. Lee monument is the only Confederate statue in Richmond over which the state has control. Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond said on Wednesday that he would also propose a city ordinance to remove all Confederate monuments on Monument Avenue in the city. Mr. Stoney said he would introduce the bill on July 1, when a new state law goes into effect giving local governments the authority to remove the monuments on their own. The administration official said the Robert E. Lee monument is the only statue in Richmond over which the state has control.
Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond said on Wednesday that he would also propose a city ordinance to remove all Confederate monuments on Monument Avenue in the city. Mr. Stoney said he would introduce the bill on July 1, when a new state law goes into effect giving local governments the authority to remove the monuments on their own.
“Richmond is no longer the Capital of the Confederacy — it is filled with diversity and love for all — and we need to demonstrate that,” Mr. Stoney said in a statement.“Richmond is no longer the Capital of the Confederacy — it is filled with diversity and love for all — and we need to demonstrate that,” Mr. Stoney said in a statement.
Michael Jones, a Richmond City Council member who has been a leading voice for removal of the Confederate monuments, is co-sponsor, with the mayor, of the proposed ordinance. “This is not my victory,” he wrote on Twitter. “To our great grandparents, who lived in their shadow and to young protesters who echoed the call — this is all yours.”
The statue of Lee, the Confederacy’s most prominent general during the Civil War, was one of many monuments in Richmond that were vandalized with spray paint; protesters tried to topple others from their bases.
Statues that have been the focus of protests already have been removed in other cities.
On Monday, the mayor of Birmingham, Ala., ordered the removal of a Confederate statue from a public park there. Protesters had defaced the statue, the 115-year-old Confederate Soldiers & Sailors Monument in Linn Park, and chipped away at its base over the weekend. A large crane arrived to remove it shortly before 8 p.m. on Monday — Jefferson Davis Day, a state holiday in Alabama honoring the president of the Confederacy.
Not all of the contested statues are associated with the Confederacy. The City of Philadelphia also took down a statue on Wednesday, one depicting the former mayor Frank Rizzo, a champion of conservatives who aggressively policed black people and gay people in the 1960s and ’70s and whose likeness has long been criticized as a symbol of racism and oppression.
That statue, which sat on the steps of a municipal services building since its unveiling in 1999, was often vandalized, and protesters in recent days have tried to take it down and light it on fire.
Mayor Jim Kenney said that the Rizzo statue was already scheduled to be removed — in 2021, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. But he said the protests showed that the statue “had to go away for us to understand where we need to go to look forward.”
President Trump on Wednesday first denied and then acknowledged that he had gone to a secure bunker below the White House over the weekend as protesters demonstrated nearby. He said he went there for an “inspection,” rather than out of concern over his safety.President Trump on Wednesday first denied and then acknowledged that he had gone to a secure bunker below the White House over the weekend as protesters demonstrated nearby. He said he went there for an “inspection,” rather than out of concern over his safety.
Mr. Trump has been irritated by news reports that he and his family were taken to the bunker while protests flared, and on Wednesday he was asked about the events in an interview with Brian Kilmeade of Fox News Radio.Mr. Trump has been irritated by news reports that he and his family were taken to the bunker while protests flared, and on Wednesday he was asked about the events in an interview with Brian Kilmeade of Fox News Radio.
“Well, it was a false report,” Mr. Trump said.“Well, it was a false report,” Mr. Trump said.
“I wasn’t down — I went down during the day, and I was there for a tiny little short period of time, and it was much more for an inspection, there was no problem during the day,” he added. He did not say which day.“I wasn’t down — I went down during the day, and I was there for a tiny little short period of time, and it was much more for an inspection, there was no problem during the day,” he added. He did not say which day.
That contradicted the accounts of other officials, including one with firsthand knowledge, who told The New York Times that the Secret Service had rushed him to the bunker for his safety, not for an inspection, and that it occurred on Friday night, not during the day.That contradicted the accounts of other officials, including one with firsthand knowledge, who told The New York Times that the Secret Service had rushed him to the bunker for his safety, not for an inspection, and that it occurred on Friday night, not during the day.
An official familiar with the events said the agents acted after the White House’s security status was changes to “red,” a warning of a heightened threat, amid the protests.An official familiar with the events said the agents acted after the White House’s security status was changes to “red,” a warning of a heightened threat, amid the protests.
Mr. Trump’s concern about the perception that he was hiding contributed to his decision to walk across Lafayette Square on Monday to a church that was damaged by fire the night before. Law enforcement officers used pepper spray to disperse a crowd of demonstrators and clear the way for his walk.Mr. Trump’s concern about the perception that he was hiding contributed to his decision to walk across Lafayette Square on Monday to a church that was damaged by fire the night before. Law enforcement officers used pepper spray to disperse a crowd of demonstrators and clear the way for his walk.
In the Fox interview, the president said he would step in to deal with protests in New York City, where Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have been at odds over the best way to contain the unrest. “If they don’t get their act straightened out, I will solve it,” Mr. Trump said, without offering details. “I’ll solve it fast.”In the Fox interview, the president said he would step in to deal with protests in New York City, where Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have been at odds over the best way to contain the unrest. “If they don’t get their act straightened out, I will solve it,” Mr. Trump said, without offering details. “I’ll solve it fast.”
Mr. Trump also repeated his baseless claim that the MSNBC host Joe Scarborough was connected to the death in 2001 of Lori Klausutis, a young woman who worked for him when Mr. Scarborough was a congressman.Mr. Trump also repeated his baseless claim that the MSNBC host Joe Scarborough was connected to the death in 2001 of Lori Klausutis, a young woman who worked for him when Mr. Scarborough was a congressman.
The police in Minneapolis used force against black people at a rate at least seven times that of white people during the past five years, according to an analysis of city data, underscoring the deep racial inequities that are driving demonstrations in the city and prompting the mayor to call for reform.The police in Minneapolis used force against black people at a rate at least seven times that of white people during the past five years, according to an analysis of city data, underscoring the deep racial inequities that are driving demonstrations in the city and prompting the mayor to call for reform.
In an interview with the Times podcast “The Daily” on Wednesday, Mayor Jacob Frey said the protests showed the need for “true change” beyond a conviction for George Floyd’s killing.In an interview with the Times podcast “The Daily” on Wednesday, Mayor Jacob Frey said the protests showed the need for “true change” beyond a conviction for George Floyd’s killing.
“This is not just about the eight minutes of time where our officer had his knee on George Floyd’s neck,” Mr. Frey said. “This is about the previous 400 years. This is about a hundred years’ worth of intentional segregation and institutionalized racism.”“This is not just about the eight minutes of time where our officer had his knee on George Floyd’s neck,” Mr. Frey said. “This is about the previous 400 years. This is about a hundred years’ worth of intentional segregation and institutionalized racism.”
The city data backed up claims of a broader problem.The city data backed up claims of a broader problem.
About 20 percent of Minneapolis’s population of 430,000 is black. But when the police get physical — with kicks, neck holds, punches, shoves, takedowns, Mace, Tasers or other forms of muscle — nearly 60 percent of the time the person subject to that force is black.About 20 percent of Minneapolis’s population of 430,000 is black. But when the police get physical — with kicks, neck holds, punches, shoves, takedowns, Mace, Tasers or other forms of muscle — nearly 60 percent of the time the person subject to that force is black.
On The Daily, Mr. Frey also rejected President Trump’s vow to “dominate” protesters by deploying the full might of federal law enforcement in cities across the country.On The Daily, Mr. Frey also rejected President Trump’s vow to “dominate” protesters by deploying the full might of federal law enforcement in cities across the country.
“What we cannot allow is for the vision and mentality of Donald Trump to come into our city in the form of a militaristic rule,” he said. “The implications are more scary than I can even possibly imagine.”“What we cannot allow is for the vision and mentality of Donald Trump to come into our city in the form of a militaristic rule,” he said. “The implications are more scary than I can even possibly imagine.”
Mr. Frey said he is also worried the president’s decision to turn Washington D.C. into a heavily armed fortress policed by war-grade armaments will only stoke further division.Mr. Frey said he is also worried the president’s decision to turn Washington D.C. into a heavily armed fortress policed by war-grade armaments will only stoke further division.
“Well just look at the rhetoric that’s coming from the president. I mean, he’s talking about shooting people,” he said. “There is a dramatically different philosophy that the president has than ours here in Minnesota.”“Well just look at the rhetoric that’s coming from the president. I mean, he’s talking about shooting people,” he said. “There is a dramatically different philosophy that the president has than ours here in Minnesota.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a lawsuit on Tuesday accusing the city of abridging the constitutionally mandated freedom of the press, after journalists covering the protests said they were attacked, arrested, intimidated with weapons or shot with nonlethal projectiles while doing their jobs.The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a lawsuit on Tuesday accusing the city of abridging the constitutionally mandated freedom of the press, after journalists covering the protests said they were attacked, arrested, intimidated with weapons or shot with nonlethal projectiles while doing their jobs.
For an eighth day and night on Tuesday, tens of thousands of people staged peaceful protests and impassioned marches across the United States, while the widespread destruction and looting that had followed demonstrations in recent days was largely absent.
President Trump called on states to bring in the military to restore order and combat “lowlifes and losers,” as an infantry battalion from Fort Bragg was dispatched to the nation’s capital, where more than 1,000 people gathered outside the White House and military vehicles could be seen on the streets. But governors resisted the president’s entreaties, instead bolstering the police presence, changing tactics and imposing curfews to prevent people from using the protests as cover to wreak mayhem.
While demonstrators in many cities defied curfews, they did so peacefully.
They sang “We Shall Overcome” at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and a large crowd tried to cross over the Manhattan bridge in defiance of a curfew. Outside Wrigley Field in Chicago, crowds chanted “Hands up” as they raised their arms to the sky. In Los Angeles, even as hundreds were arrested throughout the city, a crowd gathered outside the home of Mayor Eric Garcetti, who earlier in the day had joined the demonstrations and taken a knee as he listened to pleas. On a bridge in Portland, Ore., hundreds lay face down, hands behind their backs, for a “die in” intended to emulate the death of George Floyd.
Mr. Floyd, a 46-year-old black security guard, died after his neck was pinned under a white police officer’s knee for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis last week. The killing, captured on video, was the spark for the outpouring of anger and anguish expressed in demonstrations in more than 140 cities for over a week.
As the sustained protests have made clear, the fuse has been burning for a long time, and despair has mounted with each case of a black person dying at the hands of the police.
A week after Mr. Floyd’s death, Minnesota said it had started a human rights investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department, citing evidence of systematic discrimination against people of color, particularly African-Americans.
The Floyd family gathered in Houston on Tuesday for a memorial and were joined by about 60,000 people, according to city officials.
Speakers offered emotional testimonials to a man they recalled as a “gentle giant.” A video of Mr. Floyd’s 6-year-old daughter, Gianna, taking in the outpouring of support was shared widely around the country.
“Daddy changed the world,” she said.
Still, Tuesday did bear some of the marks of violence from previous days. In Atlanta, police and military personnel used tear gas to disperse a large crowd near Centennial Olympic Park shortly after the city’s 9 p.m. curfew.
Video from Charlotte, N.C., showed officers surrounding demonstrators and using stun grenades, pepper spray and pepper pellets, tactics that were criticized by a black state lawmaker who represents the city. The police, who said that they would conduct an internal review of the exchange, said that officers had been attacked with bottles, rocks and even some sort of chemical agent.
The city of Louisville, Ky., will hire an outside consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of its police department, after the recent fatal shootings of two black residents — Breonna Taylor in March and David McAtee early on Monday.
Mayor Greg Fischer, who announced the review in a news conference on Wednesday, said the consultant would be asked to examine the Louisville Metro Police Department’s policies on training, use of force and bias, among other matters, and that the review would include listening sessions with residents. The mayor called the review “an exciting moment of opportunity for our police department and the city.”
The announcement came as the city is searching for a new police chief. Mr. Fischer fired the previous chief, Steven Conrad, on Tuesday after learning that officers did not have their body cameras turned on when Mr. McAtee was killed on Monday. Mr. Conrad was due to retire in a few weeks.
Mr. McAtee, who was 53, owned a popular barbecue restaurant where a crowd had gathered outside on Sunday night, after the city’s 9 p.m. curfew. Shortly past midnight, two Louisville police officers and two National Guard members on the scene heard gunshots and fired their guns, and Mr. McAtee was killed.
Ms. Taylor, who was 26, was killed in March when the police executed a “no-knock” search warrant at her home. Outrage over her death has helped to fuel six days of protests in the city. At a demonstration last Thursday, seven people were struck by gunfire.
When asked what he thought of President Trump’s call for military action against American protesters and the tear gassing of peaceful demonstrators to make way for his photo-op, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada paused at his podium for 21 uncomfortable, televised seconds.
He opened his mouth, then shut it — twice. He softly groaned.
Finally, in a scene on Tuesday that has now spread wildly around the internet, Mr. Trudeau said: “We all watch in horror and consternation what’s going on in the United States.”
From their perch above the United States, Canadians have been watching in shock as the country they’ve long considered their closest friend and protector now seems like a crazed, erratic and dangerous stranger.
Much of the country’s horror has been focused squarely on President Trump.
Most Canadians soured on President Trump two years ago when he slapped tariffs on their country’s steel and aluminum exports, threatened to cut Canada out of the continental free trade deal and insulted Mr. Trudeau as “very dishonest and weak” moments after leaving the Group of 7 summit, which Mr. Trudeau had hosted.
But, during the pandemic, public opinion of President Trump has sunk to even lower levels among Canadians.
While politicians here have set aside their partisan differences to work together to protect Canadians against the coronavirus scourge, Mr. Trump is viewed as politicizing the pandemic for his own re-election efforts.
“My view is one of profound sadness — sadness at watching communities we respect being so torn apart, and sadness at watching the loss of life in the pandemic,” said Frank McKenna, a former premier of New Brunswick and a former Canadian ambassador to the United States. “The United States is so polarized, the question of wearing a mask or not is fraught with political overtones. It’s excruciating to watch.”
With America seized by racial unrest, as protests convulse cities from coast to coast after the death of George Floyd, Los Angeles is on fire again. As peaceful protests in the city turned violent over the past few days, with images of looting and burning buildings captured by news helicopters shown late into the night, many Angelenos, have been pulled back to the trauma of 1992.With America seized by racial unrest, as protests convulse cities from coast to coast after the death of George Floyd, Los Angeles is on fire again. As peaceful protests in the city turned violent over the past few days, with images of looting and burning buildings captured by news helicopters shown late into the night, many Angelenos, have been pulled back to the trauma of 1992.
The parallels are easy to see: looting and destruction, fueled by anger over police abuses; shopkeepers, with long guns, protecting their businesses. The differences, though, between 1992 and now, are stark. This time, the faces of the protesters are more diverse — black, white, Latino, Asian; there has been little if any racially motivated violence among Angelenos; and the geography of the chaos is very different, with protesters bringing their message to Los Angeles’ largely white and rich Westside.The parallels are easy to see: looting and destruction, fueled by anger over police abuses; shopkeepers, with long guns, protecting their businesses. The differences, though, between 1992 and now, are stark. This time, the faces of the protesters are more diverse — black, white, Latino, Asian; there has been little if any racially motivated violence among Angelenos; and the geography of the chaos is very different, with protesters bringing their message to Los Angeles’ largely white and rich Westside.
“South Central has been completely quiet and peaceful,” said Ms. Cullors, now a prominent activist and co-founder of Black Lives Matter who organized a protest on Saturday in the Fairfax District, west of downtown. “That’s an important distinction, that these current situations are not happening in black communities.”“South Central has been completely quiet and peaceful,” said Ms. Cullors, now a prominent activist and co-founder of Black Lives Matter who organized a protest on Saturday in the Fairfax District, west of downtown. “That’s an important distinction, that these current situations are not happening in black communities.”
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Los Angeles, in many ways, is America’s reference point for urban racial unrest, including the Watts riots in 1965 and the uprising in 1992. The Rodney King beating in 1991, captured on film, was one of the first viral videos of a black man being abused by the police, before cellphones even existed. In those uprisings, dozens of people were killed — 34 in 1965, and more than 40 in 1992.Los Angeles, in many ways, is America’s reference point for urban racial unrest, including the Watts riots in 1965 and the uprising in 1992. The Rodney King beating in 1991, captured on film, was one of the first viral videos of a black man being abused by the police, before cellphones even existed. In those uprisings, dozens of people were killed — 34 in 1965, and more than 40 in 1992.
Some of the most searing images from 1992 were of racially motivated violence on the streets — the beating of Reginald Denny, a white truck driver; gun battles between Korean shop owners and black looters. But the mayhem largely stayed in the historically black community of South Los Angeles and in Koreatown.Some of the most searing images from 1992 were of racially motivated violence on the streets — the beating of Reginald Denny, a white truck driver; gun battles between Korean shop owners and black looters. But the mayhem largely stayed in the historically black community of South Los Angeles and in Koreatown.
Now, organizers here say, they have very deliberately brought their anger to those they believe need to hear it the most: the white and the wealthy.Now, organizers here say, they have very deliberately brought their anger to those they believe need to hear it the most: the white and the wealthy.
Outrage erupted after reports surfaced that a stadium at the University of California, Los Angeles was being used as a “field jail” for people detained during the protests. Faculty members objected, and the university said early Wednesday it would not allow the stadium to be used that way in the future.Outrage erupted after reports surfaced that a stadium at the University of California, Los Angeles was being used as a “field jail” for people detained during the protests. Faculty members objected, and the university said early Wednesday it would not allow the stadium to be used that way in the future.
Reporting was contributed by Tim Arango, Emily Cochrane, Nick Corasaniti, Michael Crowley, Elizabeth Dias, Reid J. Epstein, Tess Felder, Lazaro Gamio, Sandra E. Garcia, Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Katie Glueck, Russell Goldman, Amy Julia Harris, Carl Hulse, Patricia Mazzei, Richard A. Oppel Jr., Catherine Porter, Elisabetta Povoledo, Alejandra Rosa, Marc Santora, Anna Schaverien, Thomas Shanker, Glenn Thrush, Daniel Victor and Karen Weise.Reporting was contributed by Tim Arango, Emily Cochrane, Nick Corasaniti, Michael Crowley, Elizabeth Dias, Reid J. Epstein, Tess Felder, Lazaro Gamio, Sandra E. Garcia, Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Katie Glueck, Russell Goldman, Amy Julia Harris, Carl Hulse, Patricia Mazzei, Richard A. Oppel Jr., Catherine Porter, Elisabetta Povoledo, Alejandra Rosa, Marc Santora, Anna Schaverien, Thomas Shanker, Glenn Thrush, Daniel Victor and Karen Weise.