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George Floyd protests: civil rights groups sue Trump and Barr for use of teargas outside White House – live George Floyd protests: civil rights groups sue Trump and Barr for use of teargas outside White House – live
(32 minutes later)
ACLU suing president, attorney general and other federal officials over assault on peaceful protesters ordered by Barr so Trump could walk to churchACLU suing president, attorney general and other federal officials over assault on peaceful protesters ordered by Barr so Trump could walk to church
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today.
Thank you so much to those of you who got in touch on Twitter. Before I go – this video was taken earlier this week, but because it’s Friday: here are protestors singing along to Tupac’s 1992 song “Changes” at the George Floyd protest all the way in Aotearoa, New Zealand:
CBS reports that a black college student named Justin Howell, who was hit in the headby “less lethal” rounds fired by police at a protest on Sunday, is in critical condition at hospital, according to his brother, Joshua Howell.
“Howell is hospitalized with a fractured skull and brain damage and his brother cannot see him in person due to the coronavirus pandemic,” say CBS.
According to the New York Times, Joshua Howell says police continued to fire beanbag rounds at volunteer paramedics as they tried to cary his brother to safety. A video of this incident was posted to Twitter:
The White House’s security zone is being scaled up, according to WSB Capitol Reporter Jamie Dupree, who has shared images of what the larger fencing area will encompass – and how it compares to the previous closed-off area:
Here is Reverend Al Sharpton’s eulogy at a memorial service for George Floyd in Minneapolis:Here is Reverend Al Sharpton’s eulogy at a memorial service for George Floyd in Minneapolis:
An increasing number of cities are rethinking the presence of school resource officers as they respond to the concerns of thousands of demonstrators many of them young who have filled the streets night after night to protest the death of George Floyd, AP reports. Portland Public Schools, Oregon’s largest school district, on Thursday cut its ties with the Portland Police Bureau, joining other urban districts from Minneapolis to Denver that are mulling the fate of such programs. Protesters in some cities, including Portland, have demanded the removal of the officers from schools.An increasing number of cities are rethinking the presence of school resource officers as they respond to the concerns of thousands of demonstrators many of them young who have filled the streets night after night to protest the death of George Floyd, AP reports. Portland Public Schools, Oregon’s largest school district, on Thursday cut its ties with the Portland Police Bureau, joining other urban districts from Minneapolis to Denver that are mulling the fate of such programs. Protesters in some cities, including Portland, have demanded the removal of the officers from schools.
Minneapolis suspended its school resource officer program on Tuesday. Districts in St. Paul, Minnesota and Denver are considering doing the same. Protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, have made the end of the school resource officer program in their district one of their demands.Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Thursday that he would also discontinue using school resource officers in two smaller metropolitan districts under a program that in total costs the city $1.6 million a year and has been in place for more than two decades. The three districts have a combined student population of nearly 53,000, with more than 49,000 in Portland schools alone.Nationwide, 43% of public schools had an armed law enforcement officer present at least once a week in the 2015-2016 school year, the last time the National Center for Education Statistics released data on this topic.Minneapolis suspended its school resource officer program on Tuesday. Districts in St. Paul, Minnesota and Denver are considering doing the same. Protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, have made the end of the school resource officer program in their district one of their demands.Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Thursday that he would also discontinue using school resource officers in two smaller metropolitan districts under a program that in total costs the city $1.6 million a year and has been in place for more than two decades. The three districts have a combined student population of nearly 53,000, with more than 49,000 in Portland schools alone.Nationwide, 43% of public schools had an armed law enforcement officer present at least once a week in the 2015-2016 school year, the last time the National Center for Education Statistics released data on this topic.
Speaking of Twitter – and K-pop:Speaking of Twitter – and K-pop:
K-pop fans around the world have joined forces to drown out online opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement, flooding social media with videos and images of their favourite artists alongside the #WhiteLivesMatter hashtag and other racist content.K-pop fans around the world have joined forces to drown out online opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement, flooding social media with videos and images of their favourite artists alongside the #WhiteLivesMatter hashtag and other racist content.
While their collective action meant the hashtag, as well as #WhiteOutWednesday and #BlueLivesMatter were trending in the top 10 on Twitter in the US earlier this week, the accompanying messages and attachments were emphatically off-message.While their collective action meant the hashtag, as well as #WhiteOutWednesday and #BlueLivesMatter were trending in the top 10 on Twitter in the US earlier this week, the accompanying messages and attachments were emphatically off-message.
Posts from K-pop stans – slang for obsessive fans – came with anti-racist messages and video footage of artists including the boy band phenomenon BTS and the rapper Ryujin.Posts from K-pop stans – slang for obsessive fans – came with anti-racist messages and video footage of artists including the boy band phenomenon BTS and the rapper Ryujin.
The social media bombardment saw K-pop fans commandeer rightwing and pro-Donald Trump hashtags to drown out racist and offensive posts, including criticism of protests in the US against the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis last week.The social media bombardment saw K-pop fans commandeer rightwing and pro-Donald Trump hashtags to drown out racist and offensive posts, including criticism of protests in the US against the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis last week.
Speaking of Twitter: you can get in touch with me directly @helenrsullivan.Speaking of Twitter: you can get in touch with me directly @helenrsullivan.
Comments, videos, tips, news, questions all welcome.Comments, videos, tips, news, questions all welcome.
Here’s what we know about Twitter disabling Donald Trump’s George Floyd tribute:Here’s what we know about Twitter disabling Donald Trump’s George Floyd tribute:
In case you missed it: Twitter disabled a video by Donald Trump’s campaign team that pays tribute to George Floyd, saying it is the subject of a copyright complaint.In case you missed it: Twitter disabled a video by Donald Trump’s campaign team that pays tribute to George Floyd, saying it is the subject of a copyright complaint.
The video was retweeted nearly 7,000 times by people including the US president and his son Donald Jr.The video was retweeted nearly 7,000 times by people including the US president and his son Donald Jr.
In response to the video’s removal, the campaign accused the social media site and its co-founder, Jack Dorsey, of censoring an “uplifting and unifying message from President Trump” and urged its followers make a separate YouTube video go viral.In response to the video’s removal, the campaign accused the social media site and its co-founder, Jack Dorsey, of censoring an “uplifting and unifying message from President Trump” and urged its followers make a separate YouTube video go viral.
The nearly four-minute clip posted on Wednesday shows images of peaceful protests while Trump speaks of the “grave tragedy” before moving to a warning about violence from “radical leftwing groups” amid scenes of unrest and looting.The nearly four-minute clip posted on Wednesday shows images of peaceful protests while Trump speaks of the “grave tragedy” before moving to a warning about violence from “radical leftwing groups” amid scenes of unrest and looting.
The accompanying Team Trump tweet said: “We are working toward a more just society, but that means building up, not tearing down. Joining hands, not hurling fists. Standing in solidarity, not surrendering to hostility.”The accompanying Team Trump tweet said: “We are working toward a more just society, but that means building up, not tearing down. Joining hands, not hurling fists. Standing in solidarity, not surrendering to hostility.”
An Associated Press photographer on assignment was attacked Thursday afternoon by a passerby while the journalist crossed the street with Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and Mayor Jim Kenney.Matt Rourke was making photos of Outlaw and Kenney in North Philadelphia while the two city officials spent time with community members.An Associated Press photographer on assignment was attacked Thursday afternoon by a passerby while the journalist crossed the street with Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and Mayor Jim Kenney.Matt Rourke was making photos of Outlaw and Kenney in North Philadelphia while the two city officials spent time with community members.
Rourke is the photographer who took this photo:Rourke is the photographer who took this photo:
As Kenney, Outlaw and several more police officers and members of the media were crossing Broad Street, a man sucker-punched Rourke in his face.Outlaw was one of the first people to tend to Rourke as he lay on the street bloodied.It’s unclear what prompted the attack.Police took down the man and arrested him. A Philadelphia Police Department spokeswoman said he remained in police custody Thursday night. An investigation into possible charges is underway.Rourke was taken to the hospital and is expected to be OK.As Kenney, Outlaw and several more police officers and members of the media were crossing Broad Street, a man sucker-punched Rourke in his face.Outlaw was one of the first people to tend to Rourke as he lay on the street bloodied.It’s unclear what prompted the attack.Police took down the man and arrested him. A Philadelphia Police Department spokeswoman said he remained in police custody Thursday night. An investigation into possible charges is underway.Rourke was taken to the hospital and is expected to be OK.
In Australia, states are responding differently to Black Lives Matter protests planned for the weekend.In Australia, states are responding differently to Black Lives Matter protests planned for the weekend.
New South Wales, home to Sydney, the country’s most populous state, has asked that a planned protest not go ahead after it appeared that 10,000 people might attend, citing virus restrictions.New South Wales, home to Sydney, the country’s most populous state, has asked that a planned protest not go ahead after it appeared that 10,000 people might attend, citing virus restrictions.
NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller lodged an injunction against the protest because the numbers of those attending the protest kept growing online. Protests in groups of 10 are allowed under the health order, but that if the supreme court outlaws the protest, a gathering of hundreds would be illegal.NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller lodged an injunction against the protest because the numbers of those attending the protest kept growing online. Protests in groups of 10 are allowed under the health order, but that if the supreme court outlaws the protest, a gathering of hundreds would be illegal.
The protest had secured permission as it originally planned to have fewer than 500 people present. Fuller confirmed that state police could arrest protesters in groups of over 500.The protest had secured permission as it originally planned to have fewer than 500 people present. Fuller confirmed that state police could arrest protesters in groups of over 500.
Meanwhile South Australia has allowed a Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Lives Matter protest to go ahead in Adelaide on Saturday.Meanwhile South Australia has allowed a Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Lives Matter protest to go ahead in Adelaide on Saturday.
In Victoria, police will fine protesters in groups over 20 at a Stop Black Deaths in Custody.In Victoria, police will fine protesters in groups over 20 at a Stop Black Deaths in Custody.
A Guardian investigation has found that 432 Indigenous Australians have died in custody since 1991.A Guardian investigation has found that 432 Indigenous Australians have died in custody since 1991.
The Huffington Post reports that police have seized black cloth masks intended to protect protestors from coronavirus infection.The Huffington Post reports that police have seized black cloth masks intended to protect protestors from coronavirus infection.
Four boxes of the masks were mailed from Oakland, California, but never left the state, HuffPo’s Ryan J. Reilly reports: “The U.S. Postal Service tracking numbers for the packages indicate they were “Seized by Law Enforcement” and urge the mailer to “contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for further information.”Four boxes of the masks were mailed from Oakland, California, but never left the state, HuffPo’s Ryan J. Reilly reports: “The U.S. Postal Service tracking numbers for the packages indicate they were “Seized by Law Enforcement” and urge the mailer to “contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for further information.”
The mayor of Buffalo, where earlier today police were filmed pushing a protestor to the ground, causing his head to bleed, has tweeted a statement about the incident.The mayor of Buffalo, where earlier today police were filmed pushing a protestor to the ground, causing his head to bleed, has tweeted a statement about the incident.
The man was 75 years old, the statement notes, and is in a stable but serious condition in hospital.The man was 75 years old, the statement notes, and is in a stable but serious condition in hospital.
“I am deeply disturbed by the video, as was police commissioner Byron Lockwood. he directed an immediate investigation into the matter, and the two officers have been suspended without pay.”“I am deeply disturbed by the video, as was police commissioner Byron Lockwood. he directed an immediate investigation into the matter, and the two officers have been suspended without pay.”
Lockwood calls the incident “disheartening” in light of days of peaceful protests.Lockwood calls the incident “disheartening” in light of days of peaceful protests.
Hi, Helen Sullivan joining you now. I’ll be bringing you the latest news from across the country for the next few hours – please do get in touch on Twitter with questions, feedback, and, of course, news from wherever you are.
I’m @helenrsullivan.
Alternatively, send me an email: helen.sullivan[at]theguardian.com
A memorial service for George Floyd was held in Minneapolis. Family members spoke and the civil rights campaigner Rev Al Sharpton also addressed the service. He promised a new march on Washington in August, 57 years after Martin Luther King Jr led his march to the capital, to seek to police reform.
Three former Minneapolis officers charged with aiding and abetting the murder of Floyd appeared in court. Bail was set at $1m, down to $750,000 if certain conditions are met. An attorney for two of the officers is seeking a bail reduction, arguing that two of the officers were rookies.
Former White House chief of staff John Kelly and former commander in Afghanistan and against Isis John Allen joined the ranks of senior military figures who’ve criticized Donald Trump for using and threatening to use force against protestors. Combat units moved close to Washington were reportedly being sent back to base.
Civil rights groups have sued Donald Trump, William Barr and other administration officials, on behalf of Black Lives Matter and individual protesters, over the attack on peaceful protesters which was dealt out so Trump could walk to St John’s church for a photo op.
Virginia’s governor, Ralph Northam, confirmed that the state will move as swiftly as possible to remove a huge statue of Confederate general Robert E Lee from Monument Avenue in Richmond. The call to take down Confederate monuments has gained new momentum amid protests against police brutality toward Black Americans.
Curfews were removed in many parts of California, including Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco. Peaceful protests continued across the state and across the nation.
In Buffalo, NY, officers were filmed shoving a man to the ground, causing him to bleed profusely. The police department has suspended two officers over the incident and has launched an internal investigation, according to local news services.
The New York Times issued a mea culpa over its decision to publish an op-ed in which Republican senator Tom Cotton advocates that the government “send in the troops” to quell the protest. The choice to run Cotton’s contribution received widespread criticism, including from many New York Times staff that said it put the lives of Black Times staff at risk.
My colleague Helen Sullivan in Australia will continue providing live updates.
Erin McCormick reports from Albany, California:
Even in suburban enclaves, where demonstrations rarely happen, families flooded out of their homes to join the protest in honor of George Floyd.
In Albany, a tiny, historically-white, Bay Area community, hundreds of parents and children lined the corners in front of the local gas stations, waving signs. Passing cars honked at the banners reading “End White Silence,” and “Black Lives Matter.”
As darkness approached, families headed home, dragging wagons full of sleepy children.
Local seniors Henry Norr and Jean Tepperman had jury-rigged full facial shields on top of several layers of masks. They waved a sign reading “Defund Police.”
The two Berkeley residents said they had been doing whatever they could to register their protest for days.
“We were out in Oakland last night too,” said Tepperman. “Are you asking, because we’re senior citizens?”
However the Berkeley resident said they hadn’t lasted past the Oakland curfew Wednesday, when that protest broke out into a dance party.
“That was after we left,” she said. “We had to go home for bed.”
And here’s a striking scene from Washington, DC, when lightning struck the Washington Monument.
To be fair, the monument is outfitted with a lightning rod, and at 550-feet gets hit by lightening quite often.
Thousands marched in San Diego, California today:
Earlier today, as George Floyd’s memorial service was underway, Democratic senators Kamala Harris and Cory Booker spoke out against an amendment that would weaken bipartisan legislation that would make lynching a federal law.
Republican senator Rand Paul of Kentucky singlehandedly held up the bill, which passed the House in February on a 410-4 vote, because he said it was too broad. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to conflate someone who has an altercation, where they had minor bruises, with lynching,” he said.
In an emotional address, Booker said he felt “so raw today”.
“Of all days we’re doing this right now when, God, if this bill passed today, what that would mean for America,” he said.
Harris, the second Black woman elected to the Senate, said that “Black lives have not been taken seriously as being fully human and deserving of dignity, and it should not require a maiming or torture in order for us to recognize a lynching when we see it.”
“Senator Paul is now trying to weaken a bill that was already passed. There’s no reason for this,” she said. “There is no reason other than cruel and deliberate obstruction on a day of mourning.”
The progressive District Attorney of San Francisco has said his office will nor prosecute peaceful protesters after local police officers apprehended and arrested demonstrators who stayed out past curfew.
Boudin, who was elected to his position in November 2019, promised changes to the criminal justice system in San Francisco.
My colleague Vivian Ho profiled Boudin a while back:
An update on the Buffalo man who was shoved by police officers: He is in stable condition at a local hospital, according to local public radio station WBFO-FM.
Two officers have been suspended without pay as the Buffalo Police investigate the incident.
Twitter has removed a video from the Trump campaign account, citing copyright infringement issues.
The video, which displays images George Floyd and videos of people mourning his death overlayed with narration from Trump’s first public speech following Floyd’s killing. The president also warns about “violence and anarchy” over images of looting.
This is what the tweet looks like now:
Police in Buffalo, New York were filmed shoving a man to the ground, causing him to bleed from the ear.
The video also captures an officer trying to check on the man bleeding on the ground, only to be ushered away by another officer.
The local police department has launched an investigation into the incident, police sources told a reporter for Investigative Post, a Buffalo-based publication.