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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
There will inevitably be a huge focus on what happens now with the Minneapolis police force. Associated Press reporters Tammy Webber and Amy Forliti have been looking at the challenges faced by Medaria Arradondo, the city’s first African American police chief.
In his 2017 swearing-in ceremony he spoke of restoring trust. But George Floyd’s death has raised questions about whether Arradondo — or any chief — can fix the department. The city’s own data going back to 2015 shows that when police officers use force, 60% of the time the person they’re dealing with is black, though only 20% of the population is black.
“I think the chief’s heart is in the right place,” City Council member Steve Fletcher said. “But I don’t think this department was ever going to let him get there. I think people understand he was in an impossible situation.”
Fletcher argues that Arradondo was too lenient with discipline in his first year as chief as he worked to build department morale, which made getting rid of problem officers difficult later.
Arradondo’s predecessor, Janee Harteau, was forced out over the fatal shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond. She said she received push-back from the union when she was trying to implement reforms and this week she called on police union President Lt. Bob Kroll to resign after his controversial comments.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights filed civil rights charges related to Floyd’s death and will investigate the Minneapolis Police Department to determine if it has engaged in discriminatory practices, Governor Tim Walz said this week.
Fletcher said he wants to examine whether the police department should be disbanded, saying he believes it’s “so broken it can’t be fixed.”
“I think we need to rebuild from the ground up,” said Fletcher, vice chair of the city’s public safety committee.
Bob Bennett, an attorney who said he has sued the department “hundreds” of times over police misconduct allegations, said Arradondo probably did the best he could, but the union has more sway than chiefs do over police conduct.
“I know he wants to reform the department as much as anyone I’ve ever met or seen,” Bennett said. “Hopefully this whole mess will bring about some change.”
“What happened to Floyd happens every day in this country in education and health services and in every area of American life. It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say get your knee off our necks.”“What happened to Floyd happens every day in this country in education and health services and in every area of American life. It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say get your knee off our necks.”
If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a video of some of Reverend Al Sharpton’s powerful words at the George Floyd memorial service yesterdayIf you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a video of some of Reverend Al Sharpton’s powerful words at the George Floyd memorial service yesterday
Here are the main points that have developed in the last few hours:Here are the main points that have developed in the last few hours:
Civil rights groups are to sue Trump over the assault on peaceful protesters near White HouseCivil rights groups are to sue Trump over the assault on peaceful protesters near White House
Twitter has disabled a Trump campaign video tribute to George Floyd, they say due to copyright complaint. It will no doubt add to tensions between the president and the social media platformTwitter has disabled a Trump campaign video tribute to George Floyd, they say due to copyright complaint. It will no doubt add to tensions between the president and the social media platform
Police officers in Buffalo have been suspended for pushing a 75-year-old to ground during the protestsPolice officers in Buffalo have been suspended for pushing a 75-year-old to ground during the protests
Black college student Justin Howell, hit in the head by “less lethal” rounds fired by police at a protest on Sunday, is in critical condition at hospitalBlack college student Justin Howell, hit in the head by “less lethal” rounds fired by police at a protest on Sunday, is in critical condition at hospital
It is confirmed that Vallejo police killed an unarmed 22-year-old who was on his knees with his hands upIt is confirmed that Vallejo police killed an unarmed 22-year-old who was on his knees with his hands up
The New York Times has dropped its initial defence of a ‘Send in the troops’ article and now says Tom Cotton’s opinion piece did not meet editorial standardsThe New York Times has dropped its initial defence of a ‘Send in the troops’ article and now says Tom Cotton’s opinion piece did not meet editorial standards
Ukrainian prosecutors find no evidence against Hunter BidenUkrainian prosecutors find no evidence against Hunter Biden
Good morning from London, I’m Martin Belam, and I’ll be running this live blog for a few hours now until I hand over to my colleagues in New York. You can contact me on martin.belam@theguardian.com or find me on Twitter @MartinBelamGood morning from London, I’m Martin Belam, and I’ll be running this live blog for a few hours now until I hand over to my colleagues in New York. You can contact me on martin.belam@theguardian.com or find me on Twitter @MartinBelam
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today.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 (the Māori name for New Zealand):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 (the Māori name for 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.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.“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: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: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.