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George Floyd killing: Washington protests swell as mourners pay respects at memorial – live George Floyd killing: Washington protests swell as mourners pay respects at memorial – live
(32 minutes later)
Large crowds in Washington as protests over George Floyd’s killing enter their second weekend – follow all the latest updates liveLarge crowds in Washington as protests over George Floyd’s killing enter their second weekend – follow all the latest updates live
Washington DC’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, has spoken at one of the protests in the city. She said she had “pushed the Army away from our city” after she called on Donald Trump to withdraw thousands of national guard soldiers and federal law enforcement officers from the capital on Friday.
She also spoke about her young daughter. “I want to grow up in a country where she is not scared to go to the grocery store, not scared to go to work,” she said. “Where she can grow up in an America where she can be a senator in the 51st state, Washington DC.”
She finished her speech by talking about telling the crowd to vote against the president in November’s elections. “Today we say no. In November, we say next,” she said.
About 100 people have gathered for a demonstration outside Donald Trump’s golf course near Miami.
Latinos For Black Lives Matter organized the protest and people carried signs with slogans such as “Don’t Be A Bunker Boy”, a reference to reports the president retreated to a bunker while protests were underway in Washington DC.
A larger demonstration is expected for Miami later on Saturday.
Police officers in Buffalo have applauded two of their colleagues who were arraigned in court on Saturday on charges of assault. Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe were charged with assaulting a 75-year-old during a protest in the city earlier this week. The man was shown bleeding after striking his head as he fell following a confrontation with the two officers.
Torgalski and Robert McCabe both pled not guilty to the assault charges on Saturday and will return to court in July.
Torgalski and McCabe have both been suspended over the incident, which was viewed millions of times on social media. Buffalo police initially said the man had tripped during a confrontation but the city’s mayor later condemned the incident.
“After days of peaceful protests and several meetings between myself, Police leadership and members of the community, tonight’s event is disheartening,” Byron Brown said. “I hope to continue to build on the progress we have achieved as we work together to address racial injustice and inequity in the City of Buffalo.”
The district attorney in Queens, New York, says she will not prosecute anyone arrested for breaking curfew or social distancing measures during protests.The district attorney in Queens, New York, says she will not prosecute anyone arrested for breaking curfew or social distancing measures during protests.
“We are proud to be a united front on this issue. Queens DA Katz is committed to reforms in the name of #SocialJustice and has declined to prosecute based on curfew and social distancing violations,” Katz wrote on Twitter. Her counterpart in Manhattan, Cyrus Vance, is pursuing a similar policy.“We are proud to be a united front on this issue. Queens DA Katz is committed to reforms in the name of #SocialJustice and has declined to prosecute based on curfew and social distancing violations,” Katz wrote on Twitter. Her counterpart in Manhattan, Cyrus Vance, is pursuing a similar policy.
More video from huge protests in Philadelphia:More video from huge protests in Philadelphia:
And Chicago:And Chicago:
The curfew in Philadelphia for 8pm remains in place, by the way.The curfew in Philadelphia for 8pm remains in place, by the way.
In New York, thousands of people have marched from outside the National Black Theatre on 5th Avenue in Harlem up Lennox Avenue to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture about a mile away. The crowd have gathered outside the Center chanting George Floyd and Black Lives Matter.In New York, thousands of people have marched from outside the National Black Theatre on 5th Avenue in Harlem up Lennox Avenue to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture about a mile away. The crowd have gathered outside the Center chanting George Floyd and Black Lives Matter.
The crowd is mostly young and entirely peaceful although police helicopters hover above.The crowd is mostly young and entirely peaceful although police helicopters hover above.
Protests in Washington D.C. are beginning to swell. Demonstrations have started on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, outside the White House and throughout downtown DC. The city closed off certain roads from vehicles in anticipation of huge crowds throughout the sweltering summer day.Protests in Washington D.C. are beginning to swell. Demonstrations have started on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, outside the White House and throughout downtown DC. The city closed off certain roads from vehicles in anticipation of huge crowds throughout the sweltering summer day.
DC has been the site of police violently cracking down on protesters who have demonstrated outside of the White House nearly every day. DC mayor Muriel Bowser has asked Donald Trump to remove federal troops and forces out of the city, saying that the protests have largely been peaceful and additional police presence could cause alarm.DC has been the site of police violently cracking down on protesters who have demonstrated outside of the White House nearly every day. DC mayor Muriel Bowser has asked Donald Trump to remove federal troops and forces out of the city, saying that the protests have largely been peaceful and additional police presence could cause alarm.
A California artist, along with 300 helpers, painted the words “Black Lives Matter” on strips of lawn that lead to the state’s capitol building in Sacramento.A California artist, along with 300 helpers, painted the words “Black Lives Matter” on strips of lawn that lead to the state’s capitol building in Sacramento.
The same words were also painted on a street that leads to the White House yesterday in Washington DC.The same words were also painted on a street that leads to the White House yesterday in Washington DC.
Sacramento has been the site of daily, largely peaceful protests. On Friday, hundreds of protestors held a “die-in” outside the mayors’ outside demanding changes to the police department.Sacramento has been the site of daily, largely peaceful protests. On Friday, hundreds of protestors held a “die-in” outside the mayors’ outside demanding changes to the police department.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who is a long-time critic of Donald Trump and an advocate for civil rights in the US, has given his thoughts on the civil unrest of the last few weeks.San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who is a long-time critic of Donald Trump and an advocate for civil rights in the US, has given his thoughts on the civil unrest of the last few weeks.
Popovich, who has won five NBA titles with the Spurs, said he believes the “country is in trouble” as he discussed the death of George Floyd.Popovich, who has won five NBA titles with the Spurs, said he believes the “country is in trouble” as he discussed the death of George Floyd.
“In a strange, counterintuitive sort of way, the best teaching moment of this most-recent tragedy, I think, was the look on the officer’s face [during Floyd’s death],” Popovich said in a video published by the Spurs. “For white people to see how nonchalant, how casual, just how everyday going about his job, so much so that he could just put his left hand in his pocket, wriggle his knee around a little bit to teach this person some sort of a lesson – and that it was his right and his duty to do it, in his mind.“In a strange, counterintuitive sort of way, the best teaching moment of this most-recent tragedy, I think, was the look on the officer’s face [during Floyd’s death],” Popovich said in a video published by the Spurs. “For white people to see how nonchalant, how casual, just how everyday going about his job, so much so that he could just put his left hand in his pocket, wriggle his knee around a little bit to teach this person some sort of a lesson – and that it was his right and his duty to do it, in his mind.
“I don’t know ... I think I’m just embarrassed as a white person to know that that can happen. To actually watch a lynching. We’ve all seen books, and you look in the books and you see black people hanging off of trees. And you ... are amazed. But we just saw it again. I never thought I’d see that, with my own eyes, in real time.”“I don’t know ... I think I’m just embarrassed as a white person to know that that can happen. To actually watch a lynching. We’ve all seen books, and you look in the books and you see black people hanging off of trees. And you ... are amazed. But we just saw it again. I never thought I’d see that, with my own eyes, in real time.”
Popovich added that it the onus was on white people to solve the scourge of racism in the United States.Popovich added that it the onus was on white people to solve the scourge of racism in the United States.
“We have to do it. Black people have been shouldering this burden for 400 years,” Popovich said. “The only reason this nation has made the progress it has is because of the persistence, patience and effort of black people. The history of our nation from the very beginning in many ways was a lie, and we continue to this day, mostly black and brown people, to try to make that lie a truth so that it is no longer a lie. And those rights and privileges are enjoyed by people of color, just like we enjoy them. So it’s got to be us, in my opinion, that speak truth to power, and call it out, no matter what the consequences. We have to speak. We have to not let anything go.”“We have to do it. Black people have been shouldering this burden for 400 years,” Popovich said. “The only reason this nation has made the progress it has is because of the persistence, patience and effort of black people. The history of our nation from the very beginning in many ways was a lie, and we continue to this day, mostly black and brown people, to try to make that lie a truth so that it is no longer a lie. And those rights and privileges are enjoyed by people of color, just like we enjoy them. So it’s got to be us, in my opinion, that speak truth to power, and call it out, no matter what the consequences. We have to speak. We have to not let anything go.”
Surfers off Rockaway Beach in New York paddled out into the Atlantic today in solidarity with protesters across the country demonstrating against police brutality.Surfers off Rockaway Beach in New York paddled out into the Atlantic today in solidarity with protesters across the country demonstrating against police brutality.
Two NYPD patrol boats soon showed up to check out the crowd as the surfers chanted “Black lives matter”Two NYPD patrol boats soon showed up to check out the crowd as the surfers chanted “Black lives matter”
Donald Trump’s campaign has sent out an email to the president’s supporters asking them to sign a petition against people who disrespect the American flag. Here’s what they wrote:Donald Trump’s campaign has sent out an email to the president’s supporters asking them to sign a petition against people who disrespect the American flag. Here’s what they wrote:
Our beautiful American Flag should be respected and anyone who thinks otherwise is simply UN-AMERICAN! President Trump wants to send the left a message that protesting the American Flag is absolutely unacceptable, but he can’t do it without you.He’s calling on YOU to step up. He wants to know who had his back during this time, so we’re sending him a list of supporters who publicly sign their name to stand with him and our flag.Our beautiful American Flag should be respected and anyone who thinks otherwise is simply UN-AMERICAN! President Trump wants to send the left a message that protesting the American Flag is absolutely unacceptable, but he can’t do it without you.He’s calling on YOU to step up. He wants to know who had his back during this time, so we’re sending him a list of supporters who publicly sign their name to stand with him and our flag.
This is presumably in response to the NFL apologizing on Friday to its players for clamping down against anti-racism protests - most notably that of Colin Kaepernick - in the past. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees also apologized for criticizing anthem protests last week before reversing his comments. Trump said Brees had nothing to be sorry for on Friday - and Brees disagreed. He wrote in a message addressed to Trump on Instagram:This is presumably in response to the NFL apologizing on Friday to its players for clamping down against anti-racism protests - most notably that of Colin Kaepernick - in the past. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees also apologized for criticizing anthem protests last week before reversing his comments. Trump said Brees had nothing to be sorry for on Friday - and Brees disagreed. He wrote in a message addressed to Trump on Instagram:
“To @realdonaldtrump. Through my ongoing conversations with friends, teammates, and leaders in the black community, I realize this is not an issue about the American flag. It has never been,” Brees wrote. “We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities.”“To @realdonaldtrump. Through my ongoing conversations with friends, teammates, and leaders in the black community, I realize this is not an issue about the American flag. It has never been,” Brees wrote. “We can no longer use the flag to turn people away or distract them from the real issues that face our black communities.”
Adam Gabbatt has looked at how the protests against police brutality have attracted more cases of police brutality:
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.
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.”
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.
New York City alone has seen numerous incidents. On Saturday 30 May, officers in a police SUV drove at a crowd of protesters in Brooklyn, knocking several to the ground. A day earlier, a police officer was caught on camera violently shoving a woman to the ground during a demonstration. The woman, Dounya Zayer, was taken to hospital and said she suffered a seizure and concussion.
You can read the full story below:
An additional 1,800 members of the national guard have been called up in response to the protests and Covid-19 pandemic across America, bringing the total to 43,340.
“Today, more than 43,300 National Guard members in 34 states and DC are assisting law enforcement authorities with ongoing civil unrest, while more than 37,000 Guard Soldiers and Airmen continue to support the Covid-19 response,” the national guard wrote in a tweet.
Members of the public are attending a memorial service for George Floyd in Fayetteville, near where he was born in North Carolina. Hundreds of people are expected to file into a local church to view his casket before a service for family later in the day.
A group on horseback and another on motorcycles staged drive pasts in tribute to Floyd, who was killed last month by police in Minnesota.
“The bigotry against somebody just because of who they are and the color of their skin, because if they’re women or a person of color ... we have to stop the hatred and bigotry,” one mourner, Dan Matthews, told the Fayetteville Observer, adding he had driven four hours to attend the service. “We all have so much to offer in this world and I think people can only reach their full potential when society lets people be equal, and that’s what we’re fighting for.”
Protests have already started in Washington DC. More than a dozen separate demonstrations are expected in the capital today, with tens of thousands of people expected to take part. Much of the city’s downtown has been closed to traffic in anticipation of the crowds.
“The kids wanted to make a difference. The fact that they are kids of color, I didn’t just want them to witness history, I wanted them to be a part of history,” Shanise Hamilton, who was attending one protest along with a number of children in her family, told the Washington Post.
Protests are planned in cities across America on Saturday, from New York City to Los Angeles.
Texas’ Republican governor Gregg Abbott has condemned four of his party’s state chairs for spreading baseless conspiracy theories that George Floyd’s killing was fabricated in order to hurt Donald Trump’s presidency. The Texas Tribune has now identified seven more Texas Republican chairs that have spread such theories. Some promoted the trope that George Soros is helping fund the protest movement across the country.
Lynne Teinert, the GOP chairperson for Shackelford County, told the Tribune her comments had been “mostly a joke”. Meanwhile, Cindy Weatherby, the Republican chairperson of Reagan County, shared a post asking 21 “puzzling questions” over Floyd’s death such as “Why did the kneeling officer appear completely cool and calm, as if he was posing for the camera?”.
Weatherby told the Tribune she did not believe Floyd’s death was staged but added that if “humans don’t question, there’s something wrong with us.”
County chairs are elected officials whose duties include things such as overseeing local elections. “This is a disgusting level of ignorance that’s hard to hear from anyone, much less an elected official,” Texas congresswoman Donna Howard told the Tribune. “I’m glad to see Republican state leaders finally start to push back against this nonsense and look forward to a day when we can actually debate fact-based policy instead of constantly refuting conspiracies.”
Cuomo says Friday’s protests in New York were “mainly peaceful”. He adds that the protesters “want an America as good as its promise” a quote from the civil rights activist Barbara Jordan.
“New York will lead the way on this change,” he says. “There’s talk and there’s action. We have a moment when we can make the change.” He says that the state will enact four policies: a transparency of prior disciplinary records for officers; no chokeholds by police officers; prohibiting false race-based 911 reports and making them a crime; and designating the attorney general as independent prosecutor for police murders.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo is giving his daily press briefing. He says 35 people died of Covid-19 in the state over the last 24 hours, the lowest number in weeks in a state that has seen nearly 25,000 die from the virus.
Two members Buffalo police officers have pleaded not guilty to assault after video emerged of them pushing a 75-year-old to the ground during protests over the death of George Floyd. The man was shown bleeding after striking his head as he fell.
Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe were arraigned in a Buffalo court on Saturday and both pled not guilty. They will be back in court on 20 July.
Torgalski and McCabe have both been suspended over the incident, which was viewed millions of times on social media. Buffalo police initially said the man had tripped during a confrontation but the city’s mayor later condemned the incident.
“After days of peaceful protests and several meetings between myself, Police leadership and members of the community, tonight’s event is disheartening,” Byron Brown said. “I hope to continue to build on the progress we have achieved as we work together to address racial injustice and inequity in the City of Buffalo.”
Meanwhile, in New York City, two police officers have been suspended over incidents with protesters last week. In the first, a woman was pushed to the ground during a demonstration outside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, in the second an officer pulled down a man’s facemask and pepper sprayed him.
“The actions by these officers stand apart from the restrained work of the thousands of police officers who have worked tirelessly to protect those who are peacefully protesting and keep all New Yorkers safe,” NYPD commissioner Dermot Shea said in the statement.
With Washington DC expecting its biggest march on Saturday since the start of the protests, Lauren Aratani has looked at how the city’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, has emerged as an opponent of one of her city’s residents, Donald Trump:
You can read the full story here:
The sheriff of Hoke county, where today’s memorial service for George Floyd will take place, has spoken to CNN about the difficulties of being a black law enforcement official while protests against racial injustice and police brutality take place across the country.
“We’re [being] questioned from the black community: How can you be a part of all this mess,” said Hubert Peterkin.
Peterkin added that Floyd’s family had reached out to ask him to help in arranging Saturday’s service.
“I didn’t know how Bridget, the sister, was going to receive me as a law enforcement person,” he said. “There are people who are mad with law enforcement, who’ve never had an incident. Or they just don’t like what’s going on and they should not like what’s going on. But when I walked in front of this woman, and that family, and they embraced me like they did, and hugged me and said thank you. It was tears. I can’t express the feeling. I left there that day saying, wow, you know, that means there’s some hope.”