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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
(about 1 hour later)
Dozens of American cities remained under curfew Wednesday night, but some began to relax their restrictions amid signs of a reduction in the widespread violence, vandalism and civil unrest that broke out across the country following the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis.Dozens of American cities remained under curfew Wednesday night, but some began to relax their restrictions amid signs of a reduction in the widespread violence, vandalism and civil unrest that broke out across the country following the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis.
Protests continued during the day and were largely peaceful, reinforcing hopes that the most serious convulsions had passed, especially after three more officers were charged in the killing of Mr. Floyd. But each day since the turmoil began, serious trouble has not emerged until nighttime, leaving local and state officials again bracing for renewed disturbances as evening approached. Protests continued during the day and were largely peaceful, reinforcing hopes that the most serious convulsions had passed, especially after three more officers were charged in the death of Mr. Floyd. But each day since the turmoil began, serious trouble has not emerged until nighttime, leaving local and state officials again bracing for renewed disturbances as evening approached.
The unrest was far less destructive on Tuesday than it had been the previous few nights, as both law enforcement officers and people in the streets appeared less eager for confrontation.The unrest was far less destructive on Tuesday than it had been the previous few nights, as both law enforcement officers and people in the streets appeared less eager for confrontation.
“The largest group of protesters that we have seen to this point have been doing a little bit of self-policing,” Peter Newsham, the police chief of Washington, D.C., said.“The largest group of protesters that we have seen to this point have been doing a little bit of self-policing,” Peter Newsham, the police chief of Washington, D.C., said.
Mr. Floyd, 46, a black resident of a Minneapolis suburb, died after gasping “I can’t breathe” while a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The officer was charged on Friday with third-degree murder, but on Wednesday, Minnesota’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, filed a more severe charge, second-degree murder, and also charged the three other officers who were involved in the arrest.Mr. Floyd, 46, a black resident of a Minneapolis suburb, died after gasping “I can’t breathe” while a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The officer was charged on Friday with third-degree murder, but on Wednesday, Minnesota’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, filed a more severe charge, second-degree murder, and also charged the three other officers who were involved in the arrest.
“His life had value,” Mr. Ellison said of Mr. Floyd. “We will seek justice for him and for you, and we will find it.”“His life had value,” Mr. Ellison said of Mr. Floyd. “We will seek justice for him and for you, and we will find it.”
While some cities and states eased their curfews, others kept them in place.While some cities and states eased their curfews, others kept them in place.
Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles pushed back their curfews from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and neighboring Santa Monica moved its curfew from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. “We saw mass amounts of people protesting peacefully” last night, the county’s sheriff, Alex Villanueva said. “As a result, hopefully we can start altering the curfew.”Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles pushed back their curfews from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and neighboring Santa Monica moved its curfew from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. “We saw mass amounts of people protesting peacefully” last night, the county’s sheriff, Alex Villanueva said. “As a result, hopefully we can start altering the curfew.”
Washington moved back its curfew from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. In the afternoon, several hundred protesters lay face down on the pavement, as Mr. Floyd had, in eerie silence outside the Capitol.Washington moved back its curfew from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. In the afternoon, several hundred protesters lay face down on the pavement, as Mr. Floyd had, in eerie silence outside the Capitol.
The mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, maintained a 9 p.m. curfew but reopened street access to the downtown area and allowed businesses there to reopen. The regional commuter rail system resumed service after being shut down for two days.The mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, maintained a 9 p.m. curfew but reopened street access to the downtown area and allowed businesses there to reopen. The regional commuter rail system resumed service after being shut down for two days.
New York City, where there was extensive looting on Monday night, remained under an 8 p.m. curfew, a day after thousands of peaceful protesters defied it.New York City, where there was extensive looting on Monday night, remained under an 8 p.m. curfew, a day after thousands of peaceful protesters defied it.
The mayor of Raleigh, N.C., Mary-Ann Baldwin, extended an 8 p.m. curfew, despite a quieter night on Tuesday, calling the decision “incredibly difficult.”The mayor of Raleigh, N.C., Mary-Ann Baldwin, extended an 8 p.m. curfew, despite a quieter night on Tuesday, calling the decision “incredibly difficult.”
Minnesota’s governor kept in place a 10 p.m. curfew in St. Paul and Minneapolis, where a memorial service for Mr. Floyd will be held on Thursday.Minnesota’s governor kept in place a 10 p.m. curfew in St. Paul and Minneapolis, where a memorial service for Mr. Floyd will be held on Thursday.
Atlanta not only maintained its 9 p.m. curfew, but announced that it would begin an hour earlier on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Atlanta not only maintained its 9 p.m. curfew, but announced that it would begin an hour earlier on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Minnesota officials charged three more former police officers on Wednesday in the death of George Floyd, and added an upgraded charge against the former officer who pressed 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 an upgraded charge against the former officer who pressed 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.
“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.”
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 them, as anger and anguish over Mr. Floyd’s death sent demonstrators into the streets in cities and towns across the country.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 them, as anger and anguish over Mr. Floyd’s death sent demonstrators into the streets in cities and towns across the country.
Mr. Ellison asked the public for patience, and he cautioned that history showed the challenges of prosecuting police officers.Mr. Ellison asked the public for patience, 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.”
At first, Mr. Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder, a charge that Mr. Floyd’s family 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 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. 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.”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. 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.”
Under Minnesota law, second-degree murder comes with a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and accomplices can be eligible for the same penalties as the primary defendant.Under Minnesota law, second-degree murder comes with a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and accomplices can be eligible for the same penalties as the primary defendant.
But if they are convicted, it is likely that the officers could get far less than that, under standard sentencing guidelines that suggest the equivalent of 12 years in prison for the typical second-degree murder case, said Richard Frase, a professor of criminal law at the University of Minnesota.But if they are convicted, it is likely that the officers could get far less than that, under standard sentencing guidelines that suggest the equivalent of 12 years in prison for the typical second-degree murder case, said Richard Frase, a professor of criminal law at the University of Minnesota.
“The statutory maximum is designed for the worst possible case,” he said, adding that judges have substantial latitude in sentencing depending on the facts of the case. “There is obviously a lot of pressure to really be tough on these officers, but this case isn’t going to be sentenced probably for two years.”“The statutory maximum is designed for the worst possible case,” he said, adding that judges have substantial latitude in sentencing depending on the facts of the case. “There is obviously a lot of pressure to really be tough on these officers, but this case isn’t going to be sentenced probably for two years.”
Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, in his harshest criticism of the president since he resigned in protest in December 2018 over Mr. Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from eastern Syria, offered a withering criticism on Wednesday of the president’s leadership.Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, in his harshest criticism of the president since he resigned in protest in December 2018 over Mr. Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from eastern Syria, offered a withering criticism on Wednesday of the president’s leadership.
“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try,” Mr. Mattis said in a statement. “Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership.”“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try,” Mr. Mattis said in a statement. “Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership.”
The statement from Mattis came hours after the current Defense Secretary, Mark T. Esper, said that he does not think the current state of unrest in American cities warrants the deployment of active-duty troops to confront protesters. Mr. Esper’s comments directly contradicted President Trump, coming only days after the president has repeatedly raised the possibility of the Insurrection Act to do exactly that.The statement from Mattis came hours after the current Defense Secretary, Mark T. Esper, said that he does not think the current state of unrest in American cities warrants the deployment of active-duty troops to confront protesters. Mr. Esper’s comments directly contradicted President Trump, coming only days after the president has repeatedly raised the possibility of the Insurrection Act to do exactly that.
In a Pentagon news conference on Wednesday morning, 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 on Wednesday morning, 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.
Ceylan Yeginsu
London
The protests in the United States have resonated with black people in Britain, who say that they, too, are disproportionately subjected to police violence.
Thousands of demonstrators marched across London on Wednesday to support protests in the United States.
Large groups of mostly young people gathered in Hyde Park in central London and chanted “No justice, no peace, no racist police” and “the UK is not innocent.”
Joining in the protest was the actor John Boyega, known for his role as Finn in the “Star Wars” sequel films, who delivered an emotional speech, referencing people killed by the police.
“Today is about innocent people who were halfway through their process,” he said, “We don’t know what George Floyd could have achieved, we don’t know what Sandra Bland could have achieved. But today we’re going to make sure that won’t be an alien thought to our young ones.”
The demonstration continued toward Parliament Square and was mostly peaceful, apart from a brief scuffle between the police and protesters close to Downing Street.
“This is the first time I’ve seen so many different ethnicities come out and stick up for black people,” said Richie Newton a 28-year-old musician, who participated in the Hyde Park gathering. “We have never received so much support.”
THOMAS FULLER
San Francisco
A multiethnic crowd including doctors in scrubs and students wearing black gathered in the Mission District, filling the streets next to Dolores Park.
William Achukwu, at 6 foot 6 inches, towered over his fellow San Franciscans.
“Our Declaration of Independence says life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Mr. Achukwu said. “We are only dealing with the life part here,” he said of the protest. “This is a first step. But liberty is what a lot of people are marching for.”
Mr. Achukwu said his experiences as a black man in San Francisco, where he works for a technology company, have taught him that even in such a liberal city he is treated with fear.
People clutch their bags when he jogs through his neighborhood. His tenant brought a friend to the house and she thought he was there to clean. A police officer in Silicon Valley stopped him in his red Mustang convertible for drifting across lanes as he turned. The officer said, “Turn off your hip-hop when you’re talking to me.” He was listening to “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
A number of years ago he traveled to Tokyo and was walking through the streets late at night when he was approached enthusiastically by a child. “A little girl walked right up to me with no fear,” he said. “That’s never happened to me at home. “Why?”
Thomas Gibbons-Neff
Washington, D.C.
As the sun started to descend over Washington on Wednesday, a crowd of more than a thousand protesters gathered peacefully. Sandwiches were distributed. An aging white Volvo had cookies in its trunk.
The security perimeter around the White House had grown. No longer were soldiers and police behind a black chain link fence, as on the previous day. Instead the officers and troops had surged forward by half a block, forming a human line of riot shields, helmets and camouflage.
National Guard units, solidly ahead of the police near the White House, had seemingly become the public face of the security presence. They blocked the streets with 2.5 ton Army transport trucks.
Rai Jackson, a 39 year old Methodist preacher joining the protest for the first time, said he wanted to see the situation before leading prayer next Sunday.
“My heart is broken,” Mr. Jackson said. “But at the same time it gives me hope.”
He added that he felt for troops lined up in front of him.
“I imagine that some of them would probably want to kneel with us,” Mr. Jackson said. “My heart goes out to everybody who has to be in the middle of this, trying to go home and talk to their family about what side they’re on.”
“My heart breaks for them.”
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.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.
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.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.
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.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 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 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.
“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.”“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.”
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.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.
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.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.
Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia plans to order the Robert E. Lee statue 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 statue 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 statue in Richmond over which the state has control.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.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.”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.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.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.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.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.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.”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.”
The national response to the death of George Floyd has begun to move from the streets into statehouses, as lawmakers across the country seek to harness outrage at police abuses.
In California, lawmakers advanced legislation on Wednesday to reconsider the state’s landmark ban on affirmative action and to examine reparations for slavery.
Democrats in Colorado introduced a bill to extend a ban on chokeholds and to permanently decertify and end immunity from prosecution for law enforcement officers convicted of unlawful use of force.
Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin urged passage of legislation aimed at minimizing the use of lethal police force.
New Jersey’s attorney general said the state would update its use-of-force guidelines for the first time in two decades.
In Maryland, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers last week announced a police reform working group.
After receiving thousands of complaints about the police’s tactics used in recent days, Seattle has decided to drop its effort to remove federal oversight of its police department, which has been in place since 2012.
Whether the efforts will succeed, or curb the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of law enforcement, is unclear. Nearly half the states passed some form of legislation after the 2014 deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., Eric Garner in New York, and 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland. But only about a third have specifically tightened restrictions on the use of lethal police force, according to The Associated Press. Such changes have been resisted by police organizations.
Dominated by Democrats, California has mounted one of the more aggressive policy responses to Mr. Floyd’s death. This week, Bay Area district attorneys asked the state to bar local prosecutors, who handle complaints of police misconduct, from taking campaign contributions from police unions, and the San Francisco public defender called for an overhaul of use-of-force policies in that city.
San Diego’s police chief announced that the department will no longer use the neck restraint employed on Mr. Floyd, a technique that has long been restricted in many departments nationally.
California’s measures on reparations and affirmative action will be heard later this week by the state’s Assembly. If passed, the affirmative action proposal would go to the state’s voters on the November ballot, giving them a chance to repeal a 1996 initiative that bans public institutions from offering preferential treatment in education, contracting or employment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
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.
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. 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, Shawn Hubler, Carl Hulse, Patricia Mazzei, Richard A. Oppel Jr., Catherine Porter, Elisabetta Povoledo, Alejandra Rosa, Marc Santora, Anna Schaverien, Thomas Shanker, Glenn Thrush, Daniel Victor, Neil Vigdor and Karen Weise.
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.”
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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.
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.
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.