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George Floyd killing: family holds memorial service in Minneapolis – live George Floyd memorial: lawyer says 'pandemic of racism' led to killing – live
(32 minutes later)
Rev Jesse Jackson among invitees at first of three memorial services across the US to mark the violent death of George Floyd Floyd family’s lawyer, Benjamin Crump says ‘pandemic of racism and discrimination killed George Floyd’ at memorial service
The three former Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting in the murder of George Floyd appeared in court this afternoon, just blocks away from where the memorial service for the 46-year-old is taking place. You can see that service in the embedded livestream above.
In Hennepin county district court, a judge set bail at $750,000 each for Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Alexander Kueng.
Derek Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death, which happened on Memorial Day, 25 May. Witness video shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck during an arrest, for almost nine minutes. Floyd pleads he cannot breathe, then stops moving.
Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison announced the charges against Thao, Lane and Kueng on Wednesday, also increasing the charge against Chauvin.
Here’s the Associated Press:
As Nick Confessore of the New York Times put it on Twitter today, “Trump began his term promising to build a wall to protect America from the world. He ends it building a wall to protect himself from Americans.”
Trump insisted yesterday that he did not visit the White House bunker on Friday night because protesters were clashing with law enforcement officers outside, as had been widely reported, but instead had been down there briefly during the day for a quick inspection.
Carol Leonnig of the Washington Post duly disproved that, but who’s even counting how many fibs the president tells about reported fact anymore?
Anyway – back to Confessore’s point. Tom Fitzgerald, for Fox 5 in Washington, has like many other reporters out and about in the capital noticed concrete barriers being put into place around the White House:
Earlier, the Vermont senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat, noticed Confessore’s tweet and decided to make a point:
More from our reporter at the memorial service for George Floyd in Minneapolis, which you can watch in the livestream embedded above…More from our reporter at the memorial service for George Floyd in Minneapolis, which you can watch in the livestream embedded above…
The family’s lawyer, Benjamin Crump, said the fight for justice would have to go on “inside the courtroom and outside the courtroom”. It was revealed that Floyd had tested positive for coronavirus in April but Crump said that wasn’t what killed him.The family’s lawyer, Benjamin Crump, said the fight for justice would have to go on “inside the courtroom and outside the courtroom”. It was revealed that Floyd had tested positive for coronavirus in April but Crump said that wasn’t what killed him.
“It was that other pandemic that we’re far too familiar with in America, that pandemic of racism and discrimination that killed George Floyd,” he said.“It was that other pandemic that we’re far too familiar with in America, that pandemic of racism and discrimination that killed George Floyd,” he said.
Then family members stepped up to remember Floyd.Then family members stepped up to remember Floyd.
Philonise Floyd described his love for his elder brother.Philonise Floyd described his love for his elder brother.
“We didn’t have much. Our mom did what she could. We would sleep in the same bed,” he said.“We didn’t have much. Our mom did what she could. We would sleep in the same bed,” he said.
Philonise described his brother as inspiring, and how they would talk and dance and cook with their mother.Philonise described his brother as inspiring, and how they would talk and dance and cook with their mother.
“It was amazing, everywhere you go and see how people cling to him. They wanted to be around him. George, he was like a general. Every day you walks outside and there’s a line of people … wanting to greet him and wanting to have fun with him.“It was amazing, everywhere you go and see how people cling to him. They wanted to be around him. George, he was like a general. Every day you walks outside and there’s a line of people … wanting to greet him and wanting to have fun with him.
“Guys that was doing drugs, like smokers and homeless people. You could tell because when they spoke to George they felt like they was the president because that’s how he made you feel.“Guys that was doing drugs, like smokers and homeless people. You could tell because when they spoke to George they felt like they was the president because that’s how he made you feel.
“It’s crazy man. It’s amazing to me that he touched so many hearts.”“It’s crazy man. It’s amazing to me that he touched so many hearts.”
In Los Angeles, which has seen its share of protests and arrests since the killing of George Floyd, Mayor Eric Garcetti has confirmed that there will be no curfew tonight.In Los Angeles, which has seen its share of protests and arrests since the killing of George Floyd, Mayor Eric Garcetti has confirmed that there will be no curfew tonight.
“Angelenos are rallying around powerful and peaceful demonstrations against racial injustice,” said Garcetti. “We remain committed to protecting the right of all people to make their voices heard and ensuring the safety of protesters, businesses, residents, families, and our entire community.”“Angelenos are rallying around powerful and peaceful demonstrations against racial injustice,” said Garcetti. “We remain committed to protecting the right of all people to make their voices heard and ensuring the safety of protesters, businesses, residents, families, and our entire community.”
There’s also this from the sheriff of Alameda County, which centres on Oakland:There’s also this from the sheriff of Alameda County, which centres on Oakland:
At a press conference in Washington on Thursday, Attorney General William Barr said federal law enforcement officers had gathered intelligence that extremist groups including Antifa had “hijacked” peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd, seeking to incite violence and destruction.At a press conference in Washington on Thursday, Attorney General William Barr said federal law enforcement officers had gathered intelligence that extremist groups including Antifa had “hijacked” peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd, seeking to incite violence and destruction.
“We have evidence,” Barr said, “that Antifa and other similar extremist groups, as well as actors of a variety of different political persuasions, have been involved in instigating and participating in the violent activity.”“We have evidence,” Barr said, “that Antifa and other similar extremist groups, as well as actors of a variety of different political persuasions, have been involved in instigating and participating in the violent activity.”
Last week, Donald Trump sought to designate Antifa, an amorphous group name for the antifascist movement, a terrorist organization.Last week, Donald Trump sought to designate Antifa, an amorphous group name for the antifascist movement, a terrorist organization.
Barr added: “We are also seeing foreign actors playing all sides to exacerbate the violence.”Barr added: “We are also seeing foreign actors playing all sides to exacerbate the violence.”
Pressed by a reporter about why he mentioned Antifa as opposed to “boogaloo” or other far-right extremist elements, Barr said there was a “witches brew a lot of different extremist organizations trying to exploit the protests.”Pressed by a reporter about why he mentioned Antifa as opposed to “boogaloo” or other far-right extremist elements, Barr said there was a “witches brew a lot of different extremist organizations trying to exploit the protests.”
Federal forces have taken over Washington’s response to the unrest, under Barr’s direction. All of the justice department components – including the FBI, the US Marshals, the Bureau of Prisons, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration – have been tapped to respond to violence and looting.Federal forces have taken over Washington’s response to the unrest, under Barr’s direction. All of the justice department components – including the FBI, the US Marshals, the Bureau of Prisons, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration – have been tapped to respond to violence and looting.
Questions have been raised about such officers appearing in public – and being used to control the public – without identifying marks or insignia on their uniforms.Questions have been raised about such officers appearing in public – and being used to control the public – without identifying marks or insignia on their uniforms.
In total, Barr said federal officials made 51 arrests for crimes connected to “violent rioting”.In total, Barr said federal officials made 51 arrests for crimes connected to “violent rioting”.
The heads of each bureau provided updates. Here are the highlights:The heads of each bureau provided updates. Here are the highlights:
Barr said the justice department was conducting a “parallel and independent” investigation in possible federal civil rights violations.Barr said the justice department was conducting a “parallel and independent” investigation in possible federal civil rights violations.
FBI director Christopher Wray said the agency had collected evidence that Antifa and “other agitators” were behind some of the violence.FBI director Christopher Wray said the agency had collected evidence that Antifa and “other agitators” were behind some of the violence.
Acting ATF director Regina Lombardo said her agents had responded to “shootings, burglaries, arson, bombings, especially destructive devices such as a molotov cocktail.”Acting ATF director Regina Lombardo said her agents had responded to “shootings, burglaries, arson, bombings, especially destructive devices such as a molotov cocktail.”
BOP director Michael Carvajal said officers were not told to not identify themselves. He said they normally operate only with their own institutions and therefore don’t need to identify themselves. He added that he probably should have considered marking the officers when they were deployed outside the White House.BOP director Michael Carvajal said officers were not told to not identify themselves. He said they normally operate only with their own institutions and therefore don’t need to identify themselves. He added that he probably should have considered marking the officers when they were deployed outside the White House.
Our reporter is at the memorial service in Minneapolis, which you can follow in the live stream above:Our reporter is at the memorial service in Minneapolis, which you can follow in the live stream above:
George Floyd’s family arrived to gospel songs from a choir and band under a brightly lit replica of the street mural of Floyd painted on a wall at the site of his death. They sat in the centre of the sanctuary at the North Central University campus in downtown Minneapolis, with most other guests socially distancing at least a seat apart from each others.George Floyd’s family arrived to gospel songs from a choir and band under a brightly lit replica of the street mural of Floyd painted on a wall at the site of his death. They sat in the centre of the sanctuary at the North Central University campus in downtown Minneapolis, with most other guests socially distancing at least a seat apart from each others.
Mourners included Martin Luther King III and Jesse Jackson; political leaders, including state governor Tim Walz and US senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith; and celebrities including Kevin Hart and Jamie Foxx.Mourners included Martin Luther King III and Jesse Jackson; political leaders, including state governor Tim Walz and US senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith; and celebrities including Kevin Hart and Jamie Foxx.
The mood outside was sombre. A small group came to remember Floyd, and some held signs demanding justice and reform of the police, but there were no vocal protests.The mood outside was sombre. A small group came to remember Floyd, and some held signs demanding justice and reform of the police, but there were no vocal protests.
More from the memorial service for George Floyd which is being held in Minneapolis and which you can follow via livestream above:More from the memorial service for George Floyd which is being held in Minneapolis and which you can follow via livestream above:
Reggie Jones, 47, travelled up from South Carolina to sell George Floyd T-shirts outside the memorial to raise funds for the victim’s children with the permission of the family. He said he had not seen protests like those that have swept the US over the past week.Reggie Jones, 47, travelled up from South Carolina to sell George Floyd T-shirts outside the memorial to raise funds for the victim’s children with the permission of the family. He said he had not seen protests like those that have swept the US over the past week.
“Some things are going to change. It’s going to help officers be conscious of their actions. It’s going to allow people to hear us. Hear the cry. This crime right here really punched us in the gut. Not just African Americans but people from all over,” he said.“Some things are going to change. It’s going to help officers be conscious of their actions. It’s going to allow people to hear us. Hear the cry. This crime right here really punched us in the gut. Not just African Americans but people from all over,” he said.
Jones said he was pleased that the three other police officers were charged on Thursday with aiding and abetting Derek Chauvin in the murder of Floyd.Jones said he was pleased that the three other police officers were charged on Thursday with aiding and abetting Derek Chauvin in the murder of Floyd.
“It was necessary. Four police officers was there. Three of them could have stopped it,” he said.“It was necessary. Four police officers was there. Three of them could have stopped it,” he said.
The memorial service for George Floyd is being held in Minneapolis and a livestream is embedded at the top of this blog. Our reporter Chris McGreal is there, as he has been throughout this extraordinary time in the city. Here’s a sample of his report before the service, which follows in full via a link:The memorial service for George Floyd is being held in Minneapolis and a livestream is embedded at the top of this blog. Our reporter Chris McGreal is there, as he has been throughout this extraordinary time in the city. Here’s a sample of his report before the service, which follows in full via a link:
John Kelly, formerly secretary of homeland security and White House chief of staff, has dismissed Donald Trump’s criticism of James Mattis, the former secretary of defense who on Wednesday night aimed a blistering broadside at the president’s handling of protests over the death of George Floyd.John Kelly, formerly secretary of homeland security and White House chief of staff, has dismissed Donald Trump’s criticism of James Mattis, the former secretary of defense who on Wednesday night aimed a blistering broadside at the president’s handling of protests over the death of George Floyd.
Mattis, a retired Marine Corp general, called Trump “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.”Mattis, a retired Marine Corp general, called Trump “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.”
He also compared Trump’s behaviour to Nazi propaganda and called the president’s stunt on Monday, ordering the gassing of peaceful protesters so he could stage a photo op outside St John’s church, an “abuse of executive authority”.He also compared Trump’s behaviour to Nazi propaganda and called the president’s stunt on Monday, ordering the gassing of peaceful protesters so he could stage a photo op outside St John’s church, an “abuse of executive authority”.
Trump tweeted back: “Probably the only thing Barack Obama & I have in common is that we both had the honor of firing Jim Mattis, the world’s most overrated General.”Trump tweeted back: “Probably the only thing Barack Obama & I have in common is that we both had the honor of firing Jim Mattis, the world’s most overrated General.”
Almost as inevitable as the abuse was the fact that the tweet contained a lie. Mattis resigned in December 2018, over Trump’s attempt to withdraw US troops from Syria. Trump brought his departure forward, but didn’t fire him.Almost as inevitable as the abuse was the fact that the tweet contained a lie. Mattis resigned in December 2018, over Trump’s attempt to withdraw US troops from Syria. Trump brought his departure forward, but didn’t fire him.
On Thursday Kelly, like Mattis a retired general though from the Army rather than the Marines, told the Washington Post: “The president did not fire him. He did not ask for his resignation. The president has clearly forgotten how it actually happened or is confused. The president tweeted a very positive tweet about Jim until he started to see on Fox News their interpretation of his letter. Then he got nasty. Jim Mattis is a honorable man.”On Thursday Kelly, like Mattis a retired general though from the Army rather than the Marines, told the Washington Post: “The president did not fire him. He did not ask for his resignation. The president has clearly forgotten how it actually happened or is confused. The president tweeted a very positive tweet about Jim until he started to see on Fox News their interpretation of his letter. Then he got nasty. Jim Mattis is a honorable man.”
Unlike Mattis, Kelly has spoken out about Trump before, backing impeachment witness Lt Col Alexander Vindman and expressing quite wide disagreement. Asked in February why he went to work for Trump in 2017, Kelly said he had been “fascinated – not necessarily in a good way – but fascinated as to what that election meant to our country”.Unlike Mattis, Kelly has spoken out about Trump before, backing impeachment witness Lt Col Alexander Vindman and expressing quite wide disagreement. Asked in February why he went to work for Trump in 2017, Kelly said he had been “fascinated – not necessarily in a good way – but fascinated as to what that election meant to our country”.
Kelly and Mattis have been widely reported to have been “adults in the room” in the first years of the Trump White House, willing to stand up to the president and obstruct his more dangerous impulses. They have also been widely criticised for moves or silences seen to support such behaviour.Kelly and Mattis have been widely reported to have been “adults in the room” in the first years of the Trump White House, willing to stand up to the president and obstruct his more dangerous impulses. They have also been widely criticised for moves or silences seen to support such behaviour.
HR McMaster, another general who was Trump’s second national security adviser, is due out in the autumn with a book that reportedly discusses his work at the White House. He has not commented publicly on the current situation.HR McMaster, another general who was Trump’s second national security adviser, is due out in the autumn with a book that reportedly discusses his work at the White House. He has not commented publicly on the current situation.
As George Floyd’s family and invitees, including the Rev Jesse Jackson, arrived for the memorial service in Minneapolis, a small crowd gathered outside to pay respects. It included Maudeline St Jean, a nurse who brought her two sons.As George Floyd’s family and invitees, including the Rev Jesse Jackson, arrived for the memorial service in Minneapolis, a small crowd gathered outside to pay respects. It included Maudeline St Jean, a nurse who brought her two sons.
“When I saw that video of George Floyd’s death, it was so horrific I found myself crying. It’s like a horror movie,” she said.“When I saw that video of George Floyd’s death, it was so horrific I found myself crying. It’s like a horror movie,” she said.
“I came to show support for the family, and the fight for black freedom and ending the suffering of black people. I told my boys, you guys are coming with me. You have to be in this. It’s not going to change if we sit home and watch it on television. We have to be a part of this part.”“I came to show support for the family, and the fight for black freedom and ending the suffering of black people. I told my boys, you guys are coming with me. You have to be in this. It’s not going to change if we sit home and watch it on television. We have to be a part of this part.”
St Jean said that the US has given her great opportunity but she was shocked by the racism she encountered.St Jean said that the US has given her great opportunity but she was shocked by the racism she encountered.
“I was born in Liberia, came here 28 years ago. America’s a great country. This is where I got educated. This is where I learned a lot. But there’s 400 years of slavery and the idea that somebody else has the right to tell somebody how they can live. And they have the right to suppress you like they’re your white masters.“I was born in Liberia, came here 28 years ago. America’s a great country. This is where I got educated. This is where I learned a lot. But there’s 400 years of slavery and the idea that somebody else has the right to tell somebody how they can live. And they have the right to suppress you like they’re your white masters.
“We’re not going back to lynching. That’s what they did to George Floyd. They basically lynched him in front of everybody.”“We’re not going back to lynching. That’s what they did to George Floyd. They basically lynched him in front of everybody.”
Her 15 year-old son, Zachary, said the thought the most widespread protests the US has seen in half a century mark a turning point.Her 15 year-old son, Zachary, said the thought the most widespread protests the US has seen in half a century mark a turning point.
“A big change is going to come,” he said. “A lot of change is going to happen. This sparked a lot of stuff in the US. This is going to be for a new generation that’s going to see us. We’re going to be seen, and people will see that black lives do matter. To show we’re not animals. We’re humans too.”“A big change is going to come,” he said. “A lot of change is going to happen. This sparked a lot of stuff in the US. This is going to be for a new generation that’s going to see us. We’re going to be seen, and people will see that black lives do matter. To show we’re not animals. We’re humans too.”
Here’s Chris’s full report from Minneapolis:Here’s Chris’s full report from Minneapolis:
Lauren Gambino in Washington is watching the Department of Justice press conference which is currently being held by Attorney General William Barr, and will be sending in her summary when it’s done.Lauren Gambino in Washington is watching the Department of Justice press conference which is currently being held by Attorney General William Barr, and will be sending in her summary when it’s done.
As I get myself on stream, it seems worthwhile to post what White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said when he held a gaggle earlier, a gaggle being a White House ritual where a White House person stops and takes a few questions from a few White House reporters – collective noun, a lanyard or a grandstand. (Said satirically but with more than a little envy, of course.)As I get myself on stream, it seems worthwhile to post what White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said when he held a gaggle earlier, a gaggle being a White House ritual where a White House person stops and takes a few questions from a few White House reporters – collective noun, a lanyard or a grandstand. (Said satirically but with more than a little envy, of course.)
Here’s what the pool reporter, Christian Datoc of the Daily Caller, wrote about Gidley’s answer to a question about whether Donald Trump is going to fire Mark Esper, his secretary of defense, who publicly disagreed with the president about the possible deployment of troops to quell unrest:Here’s what the pool reporter, Christian Datoc of the Daily Caller, wrote about Gidley’s answer to a question about whether Donald Trump is going to fire Mark Esper, his secretary of defense, who publicly disagreed with the president about the possible deployment of troops to quell unrest:
Here again is Julian Borger, our world affairs editor, on what Esper’s predecessor in the role, James Mattis, had to say about Trump, troops and gassing peaceful protesters in order to stage religiously themed photo ops. Esper, remember, walked with Trump and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Mark Milley to St John’s church on Monday, a fact which Mattis noted:Here again is Julian Borger, our world affairs editor, on what Esper’s predecessor in the role, James Mattis, had to say about Trump, troops and gassing peaceful protesters in order to stage religiously themed photo ops. Esper, remember, walked with Trump and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Mark Milley to St John’s church on Monday, a fact which Mattis noted:
Martin Pengelly here, taking over from Joan E Greve to take you through the afternoon.Martin Pengelly here, taking over from Joan E Greve to take you through the afternoon.
The New York Times publisher AG Sulzberger is out with a letter to staff who opposed the publication yesterday of an op ed column by Tom Cotton, a Republican senator from Arkansas and former soldier, whose headline baldly stated its argument: Send In The Troops.The New York Times publisher AG Sulzberger is out with a letter to staff who opposed the publication yesterday of an op ed column by Tom Cotton, a Republican senator from Arkansas and former soldier, whose headline baldly stated its argument: Send In The Troops.
In the words of Mario Koran’s Guardian report, “Numerous New York Times employees tweeted that ‘Running this put Black @nytimes staffers in danger’ along with screenshots of Cotton’s piece.”In the words of Mario Koran’s Guardian report, “Numerous New York Times employees tweeted that ‘Running this put Black @nytimes staffers in danger’ along with screenshots of Cotton’s piece.”
Here’s a chunk of Sulzberger’s letter:Here’s a chunk of Sulzberger’s letter:
Times media reporter Marc Tracy has the full letter:Times media reporter Marc Tracy has the full letter: