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'We will not be silent': protests head into second weekend after George Floyd's killing – live 'We will not be silent': protests head into second weekend after George Floyd's killing – live
(32 minutes later)
NFL says it was wrong not to let players protest police brutalityNFL says it was wrong not to let players protest police brutality
This live blog is now closing. You can follow our continuing coverage of the protests in our new live blog:
Guardian US reporter Kenya Evelyn explains why the unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd could be a defining moment for racial politics in America, and how the coronavirus pandemic set the backdrop for the protests.
A black reporter from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was told she could not cover the city’s protests over the death of George Floyd because of a tweet, and now dozens of her colleagues, fellow journalists, her union and the city’s mayor are speaking out in support of her.A black reporter from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was told she could not cover the city’s protests over the death of George Floyd because of a tweet, and now dozens of her colleagues, fellow journalists, her union and the city’s mayor are speaking out in support of her.
On Friday the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh and many of her fellow reporters at the Post-Gazette were demanding that Alexis Johnson be allowed cover the protests, sending identical versions of the tweet themselves and using the hashtag #IStandWithAlexis.On Friday the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh and many of her fellow reporters at the Post-Gazette were demanding that Alexis Johnson be allowed cover the protests, sending identical versions of the tweet themselves and using the hashtag #IStandWithAlexis.
On Sunday, Johnson posted four photos that show trashed public spaces in the aftermath of a crowd.On Sunday, Johnson posted four photos that show trashed public spaces in the aftermath of a crowd.
“Horrifying scenes and aftermath from selfish LOOTERS who dont care about this city!!!!!” the tweets text says. “.... oh wait sorry. No, these are pictures from a Kenny Chesney concert tailgate. Whoops.”“Horrifying scenes and aftermath from selfish LOOTERS who dont care about this city!!!!!” the tweets text says. “.... oh wait sorry. No, these are pictures from a Kenny Chesney concert tailgate. Whoops.”
It has since been retweeted over 50,000 times.It has since been retweeted over 50,000 times.
Johnson confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday that she was told the tweet and the apparent bias it showed were the reasons she would no longer be covering the protests. She declined further comment, deferring to her guild.Johnson confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday that she was told the tweet and the apparent bias it showed were the reasons she would no longer be covering the protests. She declined further comment, deferring to her guild.
Guild president, Michael A. Fuoco, who is also a Post-Gazette reporter, told the AP that guild leaders were appalled by the move. Fuoco saidGuild president, Michael A. Fuoco, who is also a Post-Gazette reporter, told the AP that guild leaders were appalled by the move. Fuoco said
Karen Kane, managing editor of the Post-Gazette, said in an email that the paper’s editors cannot comment on personnel matters.Karen Kane, managing editor of the Post-Gazette, said in an email that the paper’s editors cannot comment on personnel matters.
Journalists from other outlets around the country and other unions were also speaking out in favor of Johnson, as did Pittsburgh mayor, Bill Peduto, who said on Twitter that her reporting “has been professional in journalistic accepted practices and integrity”.Journalists from other outlets around the country and other unions were also speaking out in favor of Johnson, as did Pittsburgh mayor, Bill Peduto, who said on Twitter that her reporting “has been professional in journalistic accepted practices and integrity”.
The Pittsburgh Black Media Federation released a statement saying that to deny the African American reporter the opportunity to cover this news removes an opportunity for the Post-Gazette to present a more fair, nuanced, and informed portrait of what is happening in local communities.The Pittsburgh Black Media Federation released a statement saying that to deny the African American reporter the opportunity to cover this news removes an opportunity for the Post-Gazette to present a more fair, nuanced, and informed portrait of what is happening in local communities.
Johnson on Friday thanked her union for going to bat for her and said she was crying from the solidarity that has been shown for her.Johnson on Friday thanked her union for going to bat for her and said she was crying from the solidarity that has been shown for her.
“Thank you everyone for your support and your words of encouragement, your actions”, she tweeted. “I am just ... wow.”“Thank you everyone for your support and your words of encouragement, your actions”, she tweeted. “I am just ... wow.”
Johnson’s removal from protest coverage was first reported by Pittsburgh City Paper.Johnson’s removal from protest coverage was first reported by Pittsburgh City Paper.
The co-founder of social media site Reddit resigned from the board of the company yesterday, urging board members to replace him with a black candidate.The co-founder of social media site Reddit resigned from the board of the company yesterday, urging board members to replace him with a black candidate.
Alexis Ohanian linked his decision to the anti-racist actions taking place across the globe in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, and said, “I’m doing this for me, for my family, and for my country.”Alexis Ohanian linked his decision to the anti-racist actions taking place across the globe in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, and said, “I’m doing this for me, for my family, and for my country.”
Ohanian, who is married to tennis star Serena Williams, said: “I’m saying this as a father who needs to be able to answer his black daughter when she asks: ‘What did you do?’”.Ohanian, who is married to tennis star Serena Williams, said: “I’m saying this as a father who needs to be able to answer his black daughter when she asks: ‘What did you do?’”.
He also said he would use future gains on his Reddit stock to “serve the black community, chiefly to curb racial hate”.He also said he would use future gains on his Reddit stock to “serve the black community, chiefly to curb racial hate”.
He added that he was pledging one million US dollars (£790,000) to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp, a youth campaign around self-empowerment and interacting with law enforcement.He added that he was pledging one million US dollars (£790,000) to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp, a youth campaign around self-empowerment and interacting with law enforcement.
Ohanian, who co-founded Reddit 15 years ago, said he believes the board will follow through on his call to action. “The Reddit community is also asking for it and more. Exciting times seeing this level of energy asking for change (including from community itself asking for a hate speech policy).”Ohanian, who co-founded Reddit 15 years ago, said he believes the board will follow through on his call to action. “The Reddit community is also asking for it and more. Exciting times seeing this level of energy asking for change (including from community itself asking for a hate speech policy).”
After a day of protests across Australia, Guardian staff have compiled some of the most striking images.After a day of protests across Australia, Guardian staff have compiled some of the most striking images.
Tens of thousands rallied in state capital cities and towns to march against Indigenous deaths in custody and the killing of George Floyd.Tens of thousands rallied in state capital cities and towns to march against Indigenous deaths in custody and the killing of George Floyd.
The nationwide anti-police brutality protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd in the US have been marked by widespread incidents of police violence, including punching, kicking, gassing, pepper-spraying and driving vehicles at often peaceful protesters in states across the country.The nationwide anti-police brutality protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd in the US have been marked by widespread incidents of police violence, including punching, kicking, gassing, pepper-spraying and driving vehicles at often peaceful protesters in states across the country.
The actions have left thousands of protesters in jail and injured many others, leaving some with life-threatening injuries.The actions have left thousands of protesters in jail and injured many others, leaving some with life-threatening injuries.
From Minnesota to New York, Texas, California, Washington DC and many places beyond, from small towns to big cities, police officers have demonstrated just how problematic law enforcement is in the US, drawing condemnation from international groups as well as domestic civil rights organizations.From Minnesota to New York, Texas, California, Washington DC and many places beyond, from small towns to big cities, police officers have demonstrated just how problematic law enforcement is in the US, drawing condemnation from international groups as well as domestic civil rights organizations.
The International Crisis Group, which monitors unrest around the world, said the police had used “excessive force”. The UN high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, said: “All police officers who resort to excessive use of force should be charged and convicted for the crimes committed.”The International Crisis Group, which monitors unrest around the world, said the police had used “excessive force”. The UN high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, said: “All police officers who resort to excessive use of force should be charged and convicted for the crimes committed.”
Numerous incidents of police violence have been exposed in disturbing videos and press accounts in recent days, with little sign that police are adjusting their tactics.Numerous incidents of police violence have been exposed in disturbing videos and press accounts in recent days, with little sign that police are adjusting their tactics.
Authorities in the US capital are expecting Saturday to be the largest demonstration against police brutality in the city since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Authorities in the US capital are expecting Saturday to be the largest demonstration against police brutality in the city since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Washington has seen daily protests for the past week and they have largely been peaceful, with people marching back and forth from the White House to the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.Washington has seen daily protests for the past week and they have largely been peaceful, with people marching back and forth from the White House to the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.
Those numbers are expected to swell. Army secretary Ryan McCarthy told reporters on Friday that local officials were projecting between 100,000 and 200,000 protesters.Those numbers are expected to swell. Army secretary Ryan McCarthy told reporters on Friday that local officials were projecting between 100,000 and 200,000 protesters.
Metropolitan police department chief Peter Newsham wouldn’t commit to a number but predicted it would be smaller than the one million people who attended the Women’s March in 2017.Metropolitan police department chief Peter Newsham wouldn’t commit to a number but predicted it would be smaller than the one million people who attended the Women’s March in 2017.
It comes as authorities have sought to reduce tensions by having National Guard troops not carry weapons.It comes as authorities have sought to reduce tensions by having National Guard troops not carry weapons.
There were zero arrests during demonstrations on Thursday and Friday and DC mayor Muriel Bowser canceled the curfew that had been in place since Monday. She said she will decide on Saturday morning if it will be reinstated.There were zero arrests during demonstrations on Thursday and Friday and DC mayor Muriel Bowser canceled the curfew that had been in place since Monday. She said she will decide on Saturday morning if it will be reinstated.
A number of DC churches and theaters have said they will open their lobbies so people can cool off.A number of DC churches and theaters have said they will open their lobbies so people can cool off.
Civil rights activists Rev. Al Sharpton said the Washington rally he announced this week was being planned for 28 August, the anniversary of the day Martin Luther King gave his I Have a Dream speech.Civil rights activists Rev. Al Sharpton said the Washington rally he announced this week was being planned for 28 August, the anniversary of the day Martin Luther King gave his I Have a Dream speech.
He said the August event would be a way of maintaining momentum as the legal process against the men charged in Floyd’s death is underway.He said the August event would be a way of maintaining momentum as the legal process against the men charged in Floyd’s death is underway.
Police have banned a third protest in Paris that had been planned for Saturday to condemn the action of police in the wake of George Floyd’s death.Police have banned a third protest in Paris that had been planned for Saturday to condemn the action of police in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Police cited a risk of spreading Covid-19 and fears of public unrest.Police cited a risk of spreading Covid-19 and fears of public unrest.
The police decree noted that social distancing regulations ban gatherings of more than 10 people.The police decree noted that social distancing regulations ban gatherings of more than 10 people.
Online posts called for people to gather on Saturday afternoon in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.Online posts called for people to gather on Saturday afternoon in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
Paris police previously also banned two other planned gatherings on Saturday outside the US Embassy.Paris police previously also banned two other planned gatherings on Saturday outside the US Embassy.
Protests have now spread right across the globe, with people marching in solidarity with those in the US and to call out issues of systemic racism in their own countries.Protests have now spread right across the globe, with people marching in solidarity with those in the US and to call out issues of systemic racism in their own countries.
The rolling, global protests reflect rising anger over police treatment of ethnic minorities, sparked by the 25 May killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.The rolling, global protests reflect rising anger over police treatment of ethnic minorities, sparked by the 25 May killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Demonstrations, however, have been limited by social-distancing curbs aiming at stopping the spread of Covid-19.Demonstrations, however, have been limited by social-distancing curbs aiming at stopping the spread of Covid-19.
People are starting to take to the streets in Seoul, South Korea - it looks like all are wearing face masks and staying socially distanced.People are starting to take to the streets in Seoul, South Korea - it looks like all are wearing face masks and staying socially distanced.
In Tokyo, Japan people marched in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, while also protesting against police treatment of a Kurdish man in the city who says he was stopped while driving and shoved to the ground, leaving him with bruises.In Tokyo, Japan people marched in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, while also protesting against police treatment of a Kurdish man in the city who says he was stopped while driving and shoved to the ground, leaving him with bruises.
“I want to show that there’s racism in Japan now,” said 17-year-old high school student Wakaba, who declined to give her family name.“I want to show that there’s racism in Japan now,” said 17-year-old high school student Wakaba, who declined to give her family name.
She and her friend, Moe, held a sign saying: “If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention”.She and her friend, Moe, held a sign saying: “If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention”.
“No justice, no peace, no racist police,” the crowd chanted.“No justice, no peace, no racist police,” the crowd chanted.
With pandemic restrictions in Bangkok, Thailand, activists were going online, asking for video and photos of people wearing black, raising their fists and holding signs, and explaining why they “stand united behind Black Lives Matter”.With pandemic restrictions in Bangkok, Thailand, activists were going online, asking for video and photos of people wearing black, raising their fists and holding signs, and explaining why they “stand united behind Black Lives Matter”.
The Thai protesters plan to gather on the video-meeting platform Zoom on Sunday and observe 8 minutes 46 seconds of silence - the period that George Floyd was filmed pinned under the officer’s knee.The Thai protesters plan to gather on the video-meeting platform Zoom on Sunday and observe 8 minutes 46 seconds of silence - the period that George Floyd was filmed pinned under the officer’s knee.
In Brisbane, police estimated 10,000 people joined a peaceful protest, with many wrapping themselves in indigenous flags, calling for an end to police mistreatment of indigenous Australians.In Brisbane, police estimated 10,000 people joined a peaceful protest, with many wrapping themselves in indigenous flags, calling for an end to police mistreatment of indigenous Australians.
In Sydney, a last-minute court decision overruled a coronavirus ban as several thousand people marched, amid a heavy police presence, chanting: “Whose lives matter? Black Lives matter.”In Sydney, a last-minute court decision overruled a coronavirus ban as several thousand people marched, amid a heavy police presence, chanting: “Whose lives matter? Black Lives matter.”
Rallies were also held in Melbourne, Adelaide and other Australian cities.Rallies were also held in Melbourne, Adelaide and other Australian cities.
There has been a huge turnout at the Black Lives Matter rally in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland in Australia.There has been a huge turnout at the Black Lives Matter rally in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland in Australia.
It is estimated tens of thousands marched through the streets protesting against the over-representation of First Nations people dying in police custody, and racism towards black people.It is estimated tens of thousands marched through the streets protesting against the over-representation of First Nations people dying in police custody, and racism towards black people.
This is Jessica Murray, I’ll be steering the blog for the next few hours as the protests following George Floyd’s killing head into their second weekend - with action now taking place across the globe.
If you would like to get in touch to share your thoughts, stories or experiences, then please do:
Email: jessica.murray@theguardian.comTwitter: @journojess_
Ben Doherty, signing off for the evening (I’m in Australia). But our coverage continues on its peripatetic way around the world. I’m handing over to my colleague Jessica Murray in London.
Thanks all for your comments and contributions. Be well all of you, and stay safe.
As this man’s friend says: “Magnifique!”
The Guardian’s Laura Murphy-Oates, a Ngiyampaa Wailwan woman, is on the streets of Sydney.
For those internationally struggling with the Australian accents, the call-and-response chant is:
What do we want?
Justice.
When do we want it?
Now.
This is a powerful piece from Nina Robinson in Minneapolis.
In their own words: the protestors at the heart of America’s uprising.
Stacey Ray
How are you feeling?
Angry, disappointed, exhausted … but more than anything, just hurt. Because we all know somebody who’s been through the same thing, or we know somebody who could possibly go through the same thing.
I have two teenage sons, I have a brother, I have a boyfriend, a father. It just has to stop. This is home for me and seeing what happened to Jamar Clark [who was fatally shot in Minneapolis in 2015], seeing Philando Castile [who was fatally shot in St Paul, Minnesota, in 2019], and now seeing this right here – where we’re supposed to be “Minnesota nice”.
Jonathan McNeil Hardy
Did you participate in the protests?
I just got back to Minneapolis last night. You leave your city in one condition and then, you come back and it’s in two different conditions: one that you’re not used to but you don’t like seeing, and the other, which is just destruction. I’m frustrated. I just don’t want this to end, I don’t want it to go away – I want people to fight. I want people to fight responsibly, fight safely and fight without violence if necessary.
Kiyai Dorsey (left)
How are you healing?
This is our reality every day, whether people want to face that or not. And it’s felt worldwide this time. It’s just beautiful to see that solidarity everywhere else. It means a lot, for real. We just want to be heard. We want our lives to matter. You know, we want to be treated like everyone else.
Keta Daniel (right)
What is a message that you want to give to your community?
I want to give a personal message to all of my black community at this time: to take care of themselves and to take care of each other. This is really tough for all of us mentally. So don’t be pressured to be out on the frontlines, as much as we want to. Make sure to take time to rejuvenate and recollect. No matter what’s going on outside, it’s so important to do what makes you happy. Don’t lose that.
For all of its First Amendment proclamations, this is freedom of the press in the United States today. Poppy Noor reports.
Lanre Bakare reports that some of the UK’s most prestigious drama schools have apologised for not doing enough to combat racism on their campuses after being accused of hypocrisy over social media posts in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Some extraordinary examples of institutional racism cited in this piece.
Actor Dipo Ola, studying at the Oxford School of Drama, said there was a uniform experience for students of colour in drama schools: “systemic racism, from the top down”.
Ola said he was asked if he was “playing a slave” by another student when he appeared as Egeon in Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors; was regularly mistaken for another black student who attended the school years before; and had his concerns dismissed when he drew attention to the lack of BAME staff and dearth of plays written by playwrights of colour.
“When you brought it up, you feel like a burden,” he said. “You felt like you were causing trouble. When we talk about race we’re seen as overreacting. There’s always that tinge.”
The call to “defund the police” has become a rallying cry at protests across America this week, and some lawmakers appear to be listening.
Activists who have long fought to cut law enforcement budgets say they are seeing an unprecedented wave of support for their ideas, with some elected officials for the first time proposing budget reductions and divestments from police. Here’s what we know about the movement, and how cities and states are responding.
As nationwide protests hurtled toward a second weekend following the police killing of George Floyd, several cities and states are taking steps to reform controversial policing tactics, Maanvi Singh and Mario Koran report.
In Minneapolis, where Floyd died last Monday after a white officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, the city agreed to ban chokeholds and neck restraints by police and to require officers to try to stop any other officers they see using improper force. They marked the first concrete steps to remake the city’s police force since Floyd’s death.
The state human rights commissioner, Rebecca Lucero, said the changes were necessary to stop continuing harm to people of color “who have suffered generational pain and trauma as a result of systemic and institutional racism”.
“This is just a start,” Lucero said. “There is a lot more work to do here, and that work must and will be done with speed and community engagement.”