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Biden: Trump 'despicable' for invoking George Floyd Biden: Trump 'despicable' for invoking George Floyd
(32 minutes later)
US President Donald Trump has been condemned by his likely Democratic challenger for invoking George Floyd's name as he touted US jobs figures.US President Donald Trump has been condemned by his likely Democratic challenger for invoking George Floyd's name as he touted US jobs figures.
He spoke out after Mr Trump said Mr Floyd, who died last month while being arrested in Minneapolis, is "looking down" and "saying this a great day".He spoke out after Mr Trump said Mr Floyd, who died last month while being arrested in Minneapolis, is "looking down" and "saying this a great day".
Former US Vice-President Joe Biden said the remark was "despicable".Former US Vice-President Joe Biden said the remark was "despicable".
Mr Trump spoke while celebrating a surprise US jobs rebound and calling for "equal justice under the law".Mr Trump spoke while celebrating a surprise US jobs rebound and calling for "equal justice under the law".
Mr Floyd, who was unarmed and in handcuffs, died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. His death has sparked protests against racial discrimination in cities across the US and the world. Mr Floyd, who was unarmed and in handcuffs, died after a policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The officer involved was charged with murder and his three colleagues were charged with aiding and abetting.
In response to the killing, Minneapolis officials on Friday formally banned the police neck restraint used on Mr Floyd, and California pledged to follow suit. The death triggered protests against racial discrimination across the US and worldwide. On Friday, Minneapolis banned the police neck restraint used on Mr Floyd, and California pledged to follow suit.
What did Trump say?What did Trump say?
Speaking in the White House Rose Garden on Friday, Mr Trump said: "Equal justice under the law must mean that every American receives equal treatment in every encounter with law enforcement regardless of race, colour, gender or creed.Speaking in the White House Rose Garden on Friday, Mr Trump said: "Equal justice under the law must mean that every American receives equal treatment in every encounter with law enforcement regardless of race, colour, gender or creed.
"They have to receive fair treatment from law enforcement. They have to receive it."They have to receive fair treatment from law enforcement. They have to receive it.
"We all saw what happened last week. We can't let that happen."We all saw what happened last week. We can't let that happen.
"Hopefully George is looking down and saying this is a great thing that's happening for our country. A great day for him. It's a great day for everybody.""Hopefully George is looking down and saying this is a great thing that's happening for our country. A great day for him. It's a great day for everybody."
Mr Trump, a Republican, added: "This is a great, great day in terms of equality."Mr Trump, a Republican, added: "This is a great, great day in terms of equality."
While the president's critics suggested he was crassly suggesting Mr Floyd would be posthumously celebrating positive jobs figures, his defenders said the context of his comments make clear he was referring to his call for equal treatment of all Americans during police encounters. While the president's critics suggested he was crassly suggesting Mr Floyd would be posthumously celebrating positive jobs figures, Mr Trump's defenders said the context of his comments make clear he was referring to his call for equal treatment of all Americans during police encounters.
More on George Floyd's deathMore on George Floyd's death
What did Biden say?What did Biden say?
The Democratic presidential candidate hit back during a campaign speech in Dover, Delaware.The Democratic presidential candidate hit back during a campaign speech in Dover, Delaware.
He said: "George Floyd's last words, 'I can't breathe, I can't breathe' echoed all across this nation and quite frankly around the world.He said: "George Floyd's last words, 'I can't breathe, I can't breathe' echoed all across this nation and quite frankly around the world.
"For the president to try to put any other words in the mouth of George Floyd I frankly think is despicable."For the president to try to put any other words in the mouth of George Floyd I frankly think is despicable.
"And the fact he did so on the day black unemployment rose, Hispanic unemployment rose, black youth unemployment skyrocketed tells you everything you need to know about this man and what he cares about." Mr Biden has been sharpening his attacks on the president as the 3 November White House election looms.
But Mr Biden was wrong about Hispanic unemployment. While campaigning in his home state of Delaware on Thursday night, he said Mr Trump brings out the "worst" of some Americans and "there are probably anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the people out there, they're just not very good people".
What do the job figures show?What do the job figures show?
The latest US monthly jobs report on Friday showed employers added 2.5 million jobs, defying economists' predictions of further decline.The latest US monthly jobs report on Friday showed employers added 2.5 million jobs, defying economists' predictions of further decline.
For black workers, the unemployment rate rose from 16.4% to 16.8%. For black workers, however, the unemployment rate rose from 16.4% to 16.8%.
The losses from the coronavirus pandemic have hit minority and low-wage workers hardest, a trend that has continued. The losses from the coronavirus pandemic have hit minority and low-wage workers hardest.
Despite Mr Biden's claim, the Hispanic unemployment rate actually declined in April from 18.5% to 17.2%.Despite Mr Biden's claim, the Hispanic unemployment rate actually declined in April from 18.5% to 17.2%.
It also fell among white workers to 12.4% from 13.8% over the last month.It also fell among white workers to 12.4% from 13.8% over the last month.
While campaigning in his home state of Delaware on Thursday night, Mr Biden said Mr Trump brings out the "worst" of some Americans and "there are probably anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the people out there, they're just not very good people". Who's banning police neck restraints?
Minneapolis neck restraint ban
The Minneapolis City Council and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights on Friday agreed to ban police neck restraints and chokeholds.The Minneapolis City Council and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights on Friday agreed to ban police neck restraints and chokeholds.
The new policy, which will be enforceable in court, requires any officer regardless of rank to verbally and physically intervene if they witness a colleague using such unauthorised force.The new policy, which will be enforceable in court, requires any officer regardless of rank to verbally and physically intervene if they witness a colleague using such unauthorised force.
It will also requires authorisation from the police chief for the use of non-lethal "crowd control weapons".
Also on Friday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed a "temporary restraining order" to force the police to make immediate changes.
California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said on Friday he would move to end state police training in the use of the "carotid restraint".California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said on Friday he would move to end state police training in the use of the "carotid restraint".
San Diego Police Department banned the technique this week in response to the nationwide uproar over events in Minneapolis.San Diego Police Department banned the technique this week in response to the nationwide uproar over events in Minneapolis.
Officials in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles have all taken steps to ban or limit the use of chokeholds by members of their police departments. Officials in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles have all previously taken steps to ban or limit the use of chokeholds by members of their police departments.