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George Floyd Updates: ‘Get Your Knee Off Our Necks,’ Sharpton Demands at Memorial George Floyd Updates: Somber Memorial Gives Way to 10th Night of Protest
(32 minutes later)
The police officer’s knee on George Floyd’s neck — the instrument of his death, prosecutors contend — is a metaphor for the entire African-American experience, the Rev. Al Sharpton declared at an emotional memorial service in Minneapolis on Thursday. A somber and defiant memorial for George Floyd in Minneapolis gave way to a 10th night of protests on Thursday as thousands of demonstrators again poured into the nation’s streets, crowding outside City Hall in Seattle and marching across the Brooklyn Bridge.
“The reason we could never be who we wanted to be and dreamed of being is you kept your knee on our neck,” Mr. Sharpton said in a sanctuary full of Mr. Floyd’s relatives and friends, along with political and religious leaders, as people around the world watched on television and online. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who gave a eulogy for Mr. Floyd, pledged that his death would be a catalyst for change, after video showed a white police officer kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes as he lay face down and handcuffed on the pavement, saying “I can’t breathe.”
“It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say get your knee off our necks,” he added. The tragedy, Mr. Sharpton said, was also a symbolic message: “Get your knees off our necks.”
The event, at turns somber and defiant, followed more than a week of upheaval around the United States prompted by the video of a white police officer kneeling for almost nine minutes on Mr. Floyd’s neck as he lay face down and handcuffed on the pavement, saying “I can’t breathe.” The tone at many protests on Thursday was largely mournful, after more than a week of crowds burning with grief and anger over the death of Mr. Floyd and other black Americans whose deaths have spurred calls for criminal justice reform.
In death, the 46-year-old Mr. Floyd has become a symbol of police brutality. But family members remembered him as Perry — known to people in the neighborhood as “Big Floyd” — with a gift for making friends and making people feel welcome. Fueling the anguish on Thursday, an investigator in the death of Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who was fatally shot while being chased by three white neighbors in suburban Georgia, said that one of the suspects had used a racial slur after the shooting.
“The thing I miss most about him is his hugs,” said one of Mr. Floyd’s cousins, Shareeduh Tate. “He was just this big giant.” The developments came as officials from Louisville to Seattle have been lifting nightly curfews, after protests there had become largely peaceful in recent days.
His brother, Philonise, remembered sharing banana-and-mayonnaise sandwiches and playing football. In Washington, where President Trump has encouraged shows of force from the military and law enforcement to crack down on protesters, Mayor Muriel Bowser said there would be no curfew on Thursday night.
“Everywhere you go and see people, how they cling to him,” he said. “They wanted to be around him.” But the Pentagon leadership and the White House remained in an uneasy standoff after days of tension over whether to use the military against civilians in the streets of American cities, as President Trump has threatened to do. About 700 airborne troops who were in the Washington area for possible use in controlling protests were expected to go back to their base in North Carolina Thursday night, a Defense Department official said, while 900 more would remain on standby.
A mural above the dais of the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University depicted Mr. Floyd’s face above the words “I can breathe now.” Behind Mr. Floyd’s gleaming bronze coffin, a choir and musicians filled the room with gospel music.
When Mr. Floyd called out in his last minutes for his late mother, she “was reaching out to him” from beyond, Mr. Sharpton said, welcoming him to “a place where the wicked don’t threaten you.”
Mr. Sharpton pledged that Mr. Floyd’s death would not be forgotten.
“We’re going to keep marching, George,” Mr. Sharpton said. “We’re going to keep fighting, George.”
Before the service began, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith of Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz, Mayors Jacob Frey of Minneapolis and Melvin Carter of St. Paul and many others milled about, most of them wearing masks, quietly greeting each other with nods and elbow bumps.
Mr. Frey knelt with one hand on the coffin for minutes, his body heaving and tears on his face.
Memorials for Mr. Floyd will also be held on Saturday in Raeford, N.C., and on Monday in Houston.
About 700 airborne troops who were in the Washington area for possible use in controlling protests are expected to go back to their base in North Carolina Thursday night, a Defense Department official said.About 700 airborne troops who were in the Washington area for possible use in controlling protests are expected to go back to their base in North Carolina Thursday night, a Defense Department official said.
The move may represent an uneasy compromise in a standoff between the Pentagon leadership and the White House over whether to use the military against civilians in the streets of American cities, as President Trump had threatened on Monday to do.The move may represent an uneasy compromise in a standoff between the Pentagon leadership and the White House over whether to use the military against civilians in the streets of American cities, as President Trump had threatened on Monday to do.
About 900 soldiers from a rapid-reaction unit of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., and a military police unit at Fort Drum, N.Y., will remain on standby outside the capital. But those troops could begin leaving, too, as soon as Friday, a second Pentagon official said.About 900 soldiers from a rapid-reaction unit of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., and a military police unit at Fort Drum, N.Y., will remain on standby outside the capital. But those troops could begin leaving, too, as soon as Friday, a second Pentagon official said.
Federal law generally prohibits use of the active-duty military for civilian law enforcement, but a president can authorize it in certain limited circumstances by invoking a 200-year-old law called the Insurrection Act.Federal law generally prohibits use of the active-duty military for civilian law enforcement, but a president can authorize it in certain limited circumstances by invoking a 200-year-old law called the Insurrection Act.
In a break with Mr. Trump, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said on Wednesday that he opposed using troops that way and that the present situation did not warrant it. And Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advised Mr. Trump this week not to invoke the Insurrection Act, arguing that National Guard forces could handle the job.In a break with Mr. Trump, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said on Wednesday that he opposed using troops that way and that the present situation did not warrant it. And Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advised Mr. Trump this week not to invoke the Insurrection Act, arguing that National Guard forces could handle the job.
More than 2,000 National Guard forces are already in Washington, and in the next few days, their numbers are expected to grow to about 4,500.More than 2,000 National Guard forces are already in Washington, and in the next few days, their numbers are expected to grow to about 4,500.
Mr. Esper said Wednesday that the deployment of active-duty troops in a domestic law enforcement role “should only be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of situations.”Mr. Esper said Wednesday that the deployment of active-duty troops in a domestic law enforcement role “should only be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of situations.”
Mr. Trump was angered by Mr. Esper’s remarks, and criticized the defense secretary later at the White House, an administration official said.Mr. Trump was angered by Mr. Esper’s remarks, and criticized the defense secretary later at the White House, an administration official said.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska on Thursday became the first Republican senator to say she was considering not voting for President Trump, as she endorsed scathing criticism of the president by James Mattis, the former defense secretary.Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska on Thursday became the first Republican senator to say she was considering not voting for President Trump, as she endorsed scathing criticism of the president by James Mattis, the former defense secretary.
Ms. Murkowski said the critique by Mr. Mattis on Wednesday, in which he said that Mr. Trump had divided the nation and failed to lead, was overdue and might be a tipping point that would cause Republicans to air concerns about the president that they had only spoken about privately.Ms. Murkowski said the critique by Mr. Mattis on Wednesday, in which he said that Mr. Trump had divided the nation and failed to lead, was overdue and might be a tipping point that would cause Republicans to air concerns about the president that they had only spoken about privately.
Some Republican lawmakers have found fault with the president’s handling of the unrest convulsing the nation, but Ms. Murkowski was the most explicit so far in her support for the comments by Mr. Mattis, a former four-star Marine Corps general.Some Republican lawmakers have found fault with the president’s handling of the unrest convulsing the nation, but Ms. Murkowski was the most explicit so far in her support for the comments by Mr. Mattis, a former four-star Marine Corps general.
“I was really thankful,” Ms. Murkowski told reporters on Capitol Hill. “I thought General Mattis’s words were true and honest and necessary and overdue.”“I was really thankful,” Ms. Murkowski told reporters on Capitol Hill. “I thought General Mattis’s words were true and honest and necessary and overdue.”
Ms. Murkowski, one of the few Republicans in Congress who has been willing to break publicly with Mr. Trump, added that when she saw the Mattis statement, “I felt like perhaps we’re getting to the point where we can be more honest with the concerns that we might hold internally, and have the courage of our own convictions to speak up.”Ms. Murkowski, one of the few Republicans in Congress who has been willing to break publicly with Mr. Trump, added that when she saw the Mattis statement, “I felt like perhaps we’re getting to the point where we can be more honest with the concerns that we might hold internally, and have the courage of our own convictions to speak up.”
Asked whether she could still support Mr. Trump in the coming election, Ms. Murkowski said: “I am struggling with it. I have struggled with it for a long time.”Asked whether she could still support Mr. Trump in the coming election, Ms. Murkowski said: “I am struggling with it. I have struggled with it for a long time.”
In his statement, Mr. Mattis said: “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. 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.” In his statement, Mr. Mattis said: “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. 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.”
“When I joined the military, some 50 years ago, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution,” Mr. Mattis wrote. “Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the constitutional rights of their fellow citizens — much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander in chief, with military leadership standing alongside.”“When I joined the military, some 50 years ago, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution,” Mr. Mattis wrote. “Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the constitutional rights of their fellow citizens — much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander in chief, with military leadership standing alongside.”
The statement came hours after the current defense secretary, Mark T. Esper, said he did not think the present state of unrest in U.S. cities warranted the deployment of active-duty troops to confront protesters. Mr. Esper’s comments contradicted Mr. Trump, who has repeatedly raised the possibility of the Insurrection Act to do exactly that.The statement came hours after the current defense secretary, Mark T. Esper, said he did not think the present state of unrest in U.S. cities warranted the deployment of active-duty troops to confront protesters. Mr. Esper’s comments contradicted Mr. Trump, who has repeatedly raised the possibility of the Insurrection Act to do exactly that.
Three former Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding in George Floyd’s death made a brief appearance in court on Thursday afternoon, in a first public appearance since protests seized the nation.Three former Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding in George Floyd’s death made a brief appearance in court on Thursday afternoon, in a first public appearance since protests seized the nation.
The officers, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, appeared one at a time, wearing masks because of coronavirus concerns. Amid protests and high national tensions, attorneys for the defendants entered the courtroom via a corridor flanked by National Guard soldiers and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Deputies.The officers, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, appeared one at a time, wearing masks because of coronavirus concerns. Amid protests and high national tensions, attorneys for the defendants entered the courtroom via a corridor flanked by National Guard soldiers and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Deputies.
A Hennepin County district judge, Paul R. Scoggin, considered and denied requests for reduced bail, which was set at $750,000 each with certain conditions.A Hennepin County district judge, Paul R. Scoggin, considered and denied requests for reduced bail, which was set at $750,000 each with certain conditions.
The officers were charged on Wednesday with aiding and abetting second-degree murder, as well as aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. A fourth former officer who was seen on video holding Mr. Floyd down, Derek Chauvin, faces a charge of second-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter. The officers were charged on Wednesday with aiding and abetting second-degree murder, as well as aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. A fourth former officer who was seen on video holding Mr. Floyd down, Derek Chauvin, faces a charge of second-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter.
All four officers were fired after video emerged of the May 25 arrest that led to the killing.All four officers were fired after video emerged of the May 25 arrest that led to the killing.
Mr. Chauvin, who is white, held his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. Mr. Lane held his legs and Mr. Kueng held his back, while Mr. Thao stood by, according to video footage of the encounter.Mr. Chauvin, who is white, held his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. Mr. Lane held his legs and Mr. Kueng held his back, while Mr. Thao stood by, according to video footage of the encounter.
Mr. Lane is white and Mr. Thao is Hmong, according to a spokesman for the Minnesota attorney general. Mr. Kueng is black, according to his defense lawyer.Mr. Lane is white and Mr. Thao is Hmong, according to a spokesman for the Minnesota attorney general. Mr. Kueng is black, according to his defense lawyer.
The hearing and 235 pages of personnel records released by the Minneapolis Police Department late Wednesday revealed the varying histories of the four officers, and lawyers sought to paint a contrast between Mr. Lane and Mr. Kueng, who were new to the force, and Mr. Chauvin, who had been with the Minneapolis Police Department for nearly two decades.The hearing and 235 pages of personnel records released by the Minneapolis Police Department late Wednesday revealed the varying histories of the four officers, and lawyers sought to paint a contrast between Mr. Lane and Mr. Kueng, who were new to the force, and Mr. Chauvin, who had been with the Minneapolis Police Department for nearly two decades.
Lawyers for Mr. Lane and Mr. Kueng said they had only been full members of the police department for a matter of days when they got the call about Mr. Floyd, and that they had raised flags multiple times during the arrest while also looking to Mr. Chauvin for guidance.Lawyers for Mr. Lane and Mr. Kueng said they had only been full members of the police department for a matter of days when they got the call about Mr. Floyd, and that they had raised flags multiple times during the arrest while also looking to Mr. Chauvin for guidance.
A defense lawyer said Mr. Lane performed CPR on Mr. Floyd in the ambulance “for a lengthy period of time.”A defense lawyer said Mr. Lane performed CPR on Mr. Floyd in the ambulance “for a lengthy period of time.”
Mr. Chauvin, 44, was the subject of at least 17 misconduct complaints over two decades, though only one was detailed in 79 pages of his heavily redacted personnel file.Mr. Chauvin, 44, was the subject of at least 17 misconduct complaints over two decades, though only one was detailed in 79 pages of his heavily redacted personnel file.
A woman complained in 2007 that he needlessly removed her from her car, searched her and put her into the back of a squad car for driving 10 miles an hour over the speed limit. The file shows that the complaint was upheld and that Mr. Chauvin was issued a letter of reprimand.A woman complained in 2007 that he needlessly removed her from her car, searched her and put her into the back of a squad car for driving 10 miles an hour over the speed limit. The file shows that the complaint was upheld and that Mr. Chauvin was issued a letter of reprimand.
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its handling of protests near the White House, calling aggressive efforts to disperse those gathered a violation of their Constitutional rights.The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its handling of protests near the White House, calling aggressive efforts to disperse those gathered a violation of their Constitutional rights.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court names President Donald Trump, Attorney General William P. Barr and other administration officials. Scott Michelman, the legal director for the A.C.L.U. of the District of Columbia, said the tactics employed with the blessing of the nation’s top law enforcement official “chills protected speech for all of us.”The lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court names President Donald Trump, Attorney General William P. Barr and other administration officials. Scott Michelman, the legal director for the A.C.L.U. of the District of Columbia, said the tactics employed with the blessing of the nation’s top law enforcement official “chills protected speech for all of us.”
“The President’s shameless, unconstitutional, unprovoked, and frankly criminal attack on protesters — because he disagreed with their views — shakes the foundation of our nation’s constitutional order,” Mr. Michelman said.“The President’s shameless, unconstitutional, unprovoked, and frankly criminal attack on protesters — because he disagreed with their views — shakes the foundation of our nation’s constitutional order,” Mr. Michelman said.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter D.C. as well as individual protesters who were at Lafayette Square.The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter D.C. as well as individual protesters who were at Lafayette Square.
On Monday, federal agents using smoke, flash grenades and chemical spray abruptly dispersed protesters and clergy members who had gathered peacefully near the White House. Mr. Trump and aides then held a photo op in front of a historic church.On Monday, federal agents using smoke, flash grenades and chemical spray abruptly dispersed protesters and clergy members who had gathered peacefully near the White House. Mr. Trump and aides then held a photo op in front of a historic church.
The A.C.L.U. said it also planned to file many other lawsuits around the country in response to law enforcement tactics used against protesters.The A.C.L.U. said it also planned to file many other lawsuits around the country in response to law enforcement tactics used against protesters.
A Georgia investigator testified on Thursday that one of the three defendants accused of chasing down and killing Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who was jogging in Brunswick, Ga., heard another defendant use a racist slur after shooting Mr. Arbery.A Georgia investigator testified on Thursday that one of the three defendants accused of chasing down and killing Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who was jogging in Brunswick, Ga., heard another defendant use a racist slur after shooting Mr. Arbery.
At a preliminary hearing in the case, the investigator said that William Bryan, who used his cellphone to film the fatal encounter, heard the remark by Travis McMichael, the man who pulled the trigger.At a preliminary hearing in the case, the investigator said that William Bryan, who used his cellphone to film the fatal encounter, heard the remark by Travis McMichael, the man who pulled the trigger.
From the witness stand, Richard Dial, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation assistant special agent in charge of the case, said that Mr. Bryan heard Mr. McMichael use the slur after the shooting took place, and before the police arrived on the scene.From the witness stand, Richard Dial, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation assistant special agent in charge of the case, said that Mr. Bryan heard Mr. McMichael use the slur after the shooting took place, and before the police arrived on the scene.
The death of Mr. Arbery in February drew widespread condemnation that only intensified after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. His name has become one of several that protesters have repeated in recent days, urging attention to the issue of systemic racism and criminal justice reform in nationwide demonstrations.The death of Mr. Arbery in February drew widespread condemnation that only intensified after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. His name has become one of several that protesters have repeated in recent days, urging attention to the issue of systemic racism and criminal justice reform in nationwide demonstrations.
The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether probable cause exists to support the criminal charges against the three men.The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether probable cause exists to support the criminal charges against the three men.
Gregory McMichael, a retired investigator in the local district attorney’s office, and his son, Travis McMichael, were arrested May 7. Each was charged with murder and aggravated assault. They had pursued Mr. Arbery through their Satilla Shores neighborhood on the afternoon of Feb. 23, suspecting him of being the perpetrator of a number of neighborhood break-ins.Gregory McMichael, a retired investigator in the local district attorney’s office, and his son, Travis McMichael, were arrested May 7. Each was charged with murder and aggravated assault. They had pursued Mr. Arbery through their Satilla Shores neighborhood on the afternoon of Feb. 23, suspecting him of being the perpetrator of a number of neighborhood break-ins.
Travis McMichael, 34, who was armed with a shotgun, shot Mr. Arbery three times as the two men scuffled. Greg McMichael, 64, who had armed himself with a handgun, watched the shooting while standing in the bed of a pickup truck.Travis McMichael, 34, who was armed with a shotgun, shot Mr. Arbery three times as the two men scuffled. Greg McMichael, 64, who had armed himself with a handgun, watched the shooting while standing in the bed of a pickup truck.
Their neighbor, William Bryan, 50, made a video recording of the incident on his phone. He was arrested May 21 on charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment. In a police report, Greg McMichael appears to indicate that Mr. Bryan, who goes by “Roddie,” was a participant in the chase, telling an officer that Mr. Bryan “attempted to block” Mr. Arbery as he ran.Their neighbor, William Bryan, 50, made a video recording of the incident on his phone. He was arrested May 21 on charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment. In a police report, Greg McMichael appears to indicate that Mr. Bryan, who goes by “Roddie,” was a participant in the chase, telling an officer that Mr. Bryan “attempted to block” Mr. Arbery as he ran.
The three men remain in Glynn County jail and have not yet entered a plea in the case.The three men remain in Glynn County jail and have not yet entered a plea in the case.
Gov. Brian Kemp, in a news conference earlier this week, said that there would be a significant police presence in Brunswick on Thursday, given the unrest and violence that have rocked cities in protests over police violence.Gov. Brian Kemp, in a news conference earlier this week, said that there would be a significant police presence in Brunswick on Thursday, given the unrest and violence that have rocked cities in protests over police violence.
Democrats in Congress are “on the brink” of unveiling legislation to address police brutality, racial profiling and the loss of trust between the police and their communities, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday.Democrats in Congress are “on the brink” of unveiling legislation to address police brutality, racial profiling and the loss of trust between the police and their communities, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday.
Ms. Pelosi said the Congressional Black Caucus planned to unveil the bills on Monday that would go beyond the kind of incremental changes considered by Congress in the past. She called the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis “a threshold that our country has crossed,” and predicted that the debate could help push the country forward in meaningful ways.Ms. Pelosi said the Congressional Black Caucus planned to unveil the bills on Monday that would go beyond the kind of incremental changes considered by Congress in the past. She called the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis “a threshold that our country has crossed,” and predicted that the debate could help push the country forward in meaningful ways.
“We want to see this as a time where we can go forward in a very drastic way,” she told reporters. “Not incrementally, but in an important way to address those problems.”“We want to see this as a time where we can go forward in a very drastic way,” she told reporters. “Not incrementally, but in an important way to address those problems.”
Ms. Pelosi declined to detail what would be included in the package, but Democrats have previously indicated they would try to outlaw chokeholds, set up a federal commission on the social status of black men, and make it easier to track violent officers as they move from department to department.Ms. Pelosi declined to detail what would be included in the package, but Democrats have previously indicated they would try to outlaw chokeholds, set up a federal commission on the social status of black men, and make it easier to track violent officers as they move from department to department.
Senate Republicans pledged to act, as well, though they were on a slower track and are likely to pursue narrower solutions than those the Democrats will propose.Senate Republicans pledged to act, as well, though they were on a slower track and are likely to pursue narrower solutions than those the Democrats will propose.
Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said Thursday that he would convene a hearing on June 16 on race and law enforcement, aimed at finding “better policing methods.”Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said Thursday that he would convene a hearing on June 16 on race and law enforcement, aimed at finding “better policing methods.”
“I’m willing to spend a lot of money to get the system to engage in better policing,” Mr. Graham said. “I’m willing to make it easier to fire bad cops who shouldn’t be wearing the uniform to begin with. Count me in for solutions.”“I’m willing to spend a lot of money to get the system to engage in better policing,” Mr. Graham said. “I’m willing to make it easier to fire bad cops who shouldn’t be wearing the uniform to begin with. Count me in for solutions.”
Meanwhile, on the Senate floor, a Republican blocked a move by two Democratic senators, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California, to push through legislation that would make lynching a federal crime.Meanwhile, on the Senate floor, a Republican blocked a move by two Democratic senators, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California, to push through legislation that would make lynching a federal crime.
The bill overwhelmingly passed the House earlier this year, but Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has insisted on trying to make changes, and refused on Thursday to allow it to pass without a formal vote.The bill overwhelmingly passed the House earlier this year, but Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has insisted on trying to make changes, and refused on Thursday to allow it to pass without a formal vote.
A longtime friend of George Floyd who was in the passenger seat of Mr. Floyd’s car when he was arrested said on Wednesday night that Mr. Floyd had tried to defuse the tensions with the police and did not resist.A longtime friend of George Floyd who was in the passenger seat of Mr. Floyd’s car when he was arrested said on Wednesday night that Mr. Floyd had tried to defuse the tensions with the police and did not resist.
“He was, from the beginning, trying in his humblest form to show he was not resisting in no form or way,” said Maurice Lester Hall, 42.“He was, from the beginning, trying in his humblest form to show he was not resisting in no form or way,” said Maurice Lester Hall, 42.
“I could hear him pleading, ‘Please, officer, what’s all this for?’” Mr. Hall said in an interview with Erica L. Green of The New York Times on Wednesday night.“I could hear him pleading, ‘Please, officer, what’s all this for?’” Mr. Hall said in an interview with Erica L. Green of The New York Times on Wednesday night.
Mr. Hall was interviewed this week by Minnesota investigators as a key witness in the state’s case against four officers charged in Mr. Floyd’s death.Mr. Hall was interviewed this week by Minnesota investigators as a key witness in the state’s case against four officers charged in Mr. Floyd’s death.
He offered an account that he said filled in critical details that were not captured on video about what led up to the moments Mr. Floyd was taken into custody by police officers and ended up with his neck pinned to the ground under the weight of Derek Chauvin’s knee.He offered an account that he said filled in critical details that were not captured on video about what led up to the moments Mr. Floyd was taken into custody by police officers and ended up with his neck pinned to the ground under the weight of Derek Chauvin’s knee.
“When they approached, they approached with aggression,” Mr. Hall said of the Minneapolis police officers.“When they approached, they approached with aggression,” Mr. Hall said of the Minneapolis police officers.
Mr. Floyd complied with the instruction to show his hands, Mr. Hall said, but an officer started reaching into the car grabbing at them, prompting Mr. Floyd to ask why. “Now what are you doing that for, you asked to see my hands?” Mr. Hall recalled Mr. Floyd saying.Mr. Floyd complied with the instruction to show his hands, Mr. Hall said, but an officer started reaching into the car grabbing at them, prompting Mr. Floyd to ask why. “Now what are you doing that for, you asked to see my hands?” Mr. Hall recalled Mr. Floyd saying.
During Mr. Floyd’s arrest, Mr. Hall said he could hear his cries: “Please officer. I’ve been shot before.”During Mr. Floyd’s arrest, Mr. Hall said he could hear his cries: “Please officer. I’ve been shot before.”
Mr. Hall recounted Mr. Floyd’s last moments. Mr. Hall recounted Mr. Floyd’s last moments.
“He was just crying out at that time for anyone to help, because he was dying,” Mr. Hall said. “I’m going to always remember seeing the fear in Floyd’s face, because he’s such a king. That’s what sticks with me: seeing a grown man cry, before seeing a grown man die.”“He was just crying out at that time for anyone to help, because he was dying,” Mr. Hall said. “I’m going to always remember seeing the fear in Floyd’s face, because he’s such a king. That’s what sticks with me: seeing a grown man cry, before seeing a grown man die.”
Attorney General William P. Barr pushed back on Thursday against the widespread condemnation of President Trump’s photo opportunity in front of a historic church earlier this week, and the forcible clearing of protesters just before Mr. Trump’s appearance.
Attorney General William P. Barr pushed back on Thursday against the widespread condemnation of President Trump’s photo opportunity in front of a historic church earlier this week, and the forcible clearing of protesters just before Mr. Trump’s appearance.
“The president is the head of the executive branch and the chief executive of the nation, and should be able to walk outside the White House, and walk across the street to visit the church,” Mr. Barr said at a news conference with other top Justice Department officials.“The president is the head of the executive branch and the chief executive of the nation, and should be able to walk outside the White House, and walk across the street to visit the church,” Mr. Barr said at a news conference with other top Justice Department officials.
“I don’t necessarily view that as a political act,” he said. “I think it was entirely appropriate.”“I don’t necessarily view that as a political act,” he said. “I think it was entirely appropriate.”
In the minutes before Mr. Trump strode from the White House on Monday evening and crossed Lafayette Park, to pose for a photo in front of St. John’s Church, officers in riot gear rushed to move people out of his path using smoke, flash grenades and chemical spray. In the minutes before Mr. Trump strode from the White House on Monday evening and crossed Lafayette Park, to pose for a photo in front of St. John’s Church, officers in riot gear rushed to move people out of his path using smoke, flash grenades and chemical spray.
Mr. Barr denied any link between Mr. Trump’s visit to the church and the authorities’ violent clearing of protesters, saying that well before he knew that Mr. Trump intended to visit the church, he had asked that the park be cleared in order to create more space between the White House and the protests.Mr. Barr denied any link between Mr. Trump’s visit to the church and the authorities’ violent clearing of protesters, saying that well before he knew that Mr. Trump intended to visit the church, he had asked that the park be cleared in order to create more space between the White House and the protests.
“There was no correlation between our tactical plan of moving the perimeter out by one block and the president’s going over to the church,” he said.“There was no correlation between our tactical plan of moving the perimeter out by one block and the president’s going over to the church,” he said.
The demonstrators in the park on Monday night were peaceful.The demonstrators in the park on Monday night were peaceful.
But Mr. Barr and other department officials said the decision had been made earlier that day to increase the law enforcement presence in and around the park, in response to looters, vandals and others who committed violent acts over the three previous nights, during weekend protests over the killing of George Floyd.But Mr. Barr and other department officials said the decision had been made earlier that day to increase the law enforcement presence in and around the park, in response to looters, vandals and others who committed violent acts over the three previous nights, during weekend protests over the killing of George Floyd.
The officials stressed that most of the protesters were peaceful, and attributed much of the illegal activity over the weekend to extremist groups intent on sowing chaos. The officials stressed that most of the protesters were peaceful, and attributed much of the illegal activity over the weekend to extremist groups intent on sowing chaos.
Mr. Barr mentioned antifa, a loose collective of anti-fascists associated with the left, and the similarly loosely organized “boogaloo” movement of people on the far right who hope to touch off a race war. “It’s important to point out the witch’s brew that we have of extremist individuals and groups that are involved,” Mr. Barr said. “There were a variety of people, a variety of ideological persuasions.”Mr. Barr mentioned antifa, a loose collective of anti-fascists associated with the left, and the similarly loosely organized “boogaloo” movement of people on the far right who hope to touch off a race war. “It’s important to point out the witch’s brew that we have of extremist individuals and groups that are involved,” Mr. Barr said. “There were a variety of people, a variety of ideological persuasions.”
Three men, identified by the authorities as boogaloo proponents, were arrested on Saturday and later charged with conspiring to spark violence at protests in Las Vegas.Three men, identified by the authorities as boogaloo proponents, were arrested on Saturday and later charged with conspiring to spark violence at protests in Las Vegas.
Justin Howell was not the demonstrator who threw a water bottle on Sunday at officers guarding police headquarters, Chief Brian Manley of the Austin police said. It was not Mr. Howell, but someone next to him, who then hurled a backpack toward the officers, the chief said.Justin Howell was not the demonstrator who threw a water bottle on Sunday at officers guarding police headquarters, Chief Brian Manley of the Austin police said. It was not Mr. Howell, but someone next to him, who then hurled a backpack toward the officers, the chief said.
But as officers responded with force, it was Mr. Howell, 20, a student studying political science at Texas State University, who was struck in the head with a bean bag round fired by the police. Mr. Howell was critically injured.But as officers responded with force, it was Mr. Howell, 20, a student studying political science at Texas State University, who was struck in the head with a bean bag round fired by the police. Mr. Howell was critically injured.
The encounter is expected to be discussed at an Austin City Council hearing on Thursday afternoon about the actions of the police during the protests.The encounter is expected to be discussed at an Austin City Council hearing on Thursday afternoon about the actions of the police during the protests.
In an article published Wednesday in The Battalion, the student newspaper of Texas A&M University, Mr. Howells’ brother Joshua Howell wrote that Justin, who is black, sustained a skull fracture and brain damage and that doctors said he would probably not recover quickly.In an article published Wednesday in The Battalion, the student newspaper of Texas A&M University, Mr. Howells’ brother Joshua Howell wrote that Justin, who is black, sustained a skull fracture and brain damage and that doctors said he would probably not recover quickly.
“These ‘less-lethal’ munitions are only ‘less-lethal’ by technicality,” Joshua Howell, who is the opinion editor of the newspaper, wrote. “My brother’s condition shows what can happen when you fire them into a crowd.”“These ‘less-lethal’ munitions are only ‘less-lethal’ by technicality,” Joshua Howell, who is the opinion editor of the newspaper, wrote. “My brother’s condition shows what can happen when you fire them into a crowd.”
Saying the police in Austin were “entirely out of their depth,” Joshua Howell wrote that when people carried his brother’s limp body to the headquarters building for medical help, the police fired at them, too — as they had been told to do by other officers — a sequence of events that Chief Manley said on Monday was under investigation. Saying the police in Austin were “entirely out of their depth,” Joshua Howell wrote that when people carried his brother’s limp body to the headquarters building for medical help, the police fired at them, too — as they had been told to do by other officers — a sequence of events that Chief Manley said on Monday was under investigation.
“At minimum, it shows a complete inability to be aware of your surroundings and to manage the situation appropriately,” Joshua Howell wrote.“At minimum, it shows a complete inability to be aware of your surroundings and to manage the situation appropriately,” Joshua Howell wrote.
Reporting was contributed by Tim Arango, Mike Baker, Kim Barker, Katie Benner, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Emily Cochrane, Nick Corasaniti, Michael Crowley, Elizabeth Dias, John Eligon, Reid J. Epstein, Tess Felder, Matt Furber, Lazaro Gamio, Sandra E. Garcia, Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Katie Glueck, Russell Goldman, Erica L. Green, Richard Fausset, Amy Julia Harris, Shawn Hubler, Carl Hulse, Mike Ives, Sean Keenan, Neil MacFarquhar, Barbara Marcolini, Patricia Mazzei, Sarah Mervosh, Richard A. Oppel Jr., Richard Perez-Peña, Catherine Porter, Elisabetta Povoledo, Michael Powell, Frances Robles, Alejandra Rosa, Marc Santora, Anna Schaverien, Thomas Shanker, Derrick Taylor, Glenn Thrush, Daniel Victor, Neil Vigdor, Karen Weise and Mihir Zaveri.Reporting was contributed by Tim Arango, Mike Baker, Kim Barker, Katie Benner, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Emily Cochrane, Nick Corasaniti, Michael Crowley, Elizabeth Dias, John Eligon, Reid J. Epstein, Tess Felder, Matt Furber, Lazaro Gamio, Sandra E. Garcia, Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Katie Glueck, Russell Goldman, Erica L. Green, Richard Fausset, Amy Julia Harris, Shawn Hubler, Carl Hulse, Mike Ives, Sean Keenan, Neil MacFarquhar, Barbara Marcolini, Patricia Mazzei, Sarah Mervosh, Richard A. Oppel Jr., Richard Perez-Peña, Catherine Porter, Elisabetta Povoledo, Michael Powell, Frances Robles, Alejandra Rosa, Marc Santora, Anna Schaverien, Thomas Shanker, Derrick Taylor, Glenn Thrush, Daniel Victor, Neil Vigdor, Karen Weise and Mihir Zaveri.