This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/jun/06/george-floyd-killing-washington-march-protests-second-memorial-service-donald-trump-live-latest-updates

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
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
The protests are gathering numbers across the country today, but one protester who spoke to CNN in Washington DC sounded a cautious note about how much would change following the recent demonstrations.
“It is something that has to be solved through legislation, through new precedents being set in the legal system, and social change so people’s mindsets change so we don’t keep fostering the sense of... underlying racial bias in the country. It cannot be solved with a couple marches,” Olivia Butler said.
Donald Trump’s approval rating has taken a hit over the last few weeks due to his response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the protests following the death of George Floyd. But the Guardian’s Simon Tisdall cautions against the view that Trump’s chances of reelection have been dealt a fatal blow.
Revived fury over racial injustice may galvanise the black vote – a crucial 12.5% of the electorate – against the president. In 2016, black turnout declined for the first time in 20 years.
Biden’s appeal among African-Americans, demonstrated in the primaries, could reverse that trend and provide winning margins in swing states. Among all voters, Biden’s current lead is 11%.
Yet Trump has been written off before. He has the advantage of incumbency and an enormous war chest. He plays dirty. By autumn, the economy may have revived, and the pandemic subsided. And gaffe-prone Biden carries much baggage.
The protests may have scared as many Middle America voters as they energised. Nobody knows how Trump’s Nixonian appeals to the “silent majority” and “law and order” will play in Peoria.
One thing is certain: he’s a long way from beaten.
You can read the full article here:
Seattle’s mayor, Jenny Durkan, has urged people who have attended demonstrations in the city to be tested for Covid-19 after concerns over the virus spreading in the packed crowds.Seattle’s mayor, Jenny Durkan, has urged people who have attended demonstrations in the city to be tested for Covid-19 after concerns over the virus spreading in the packed crowds.
“Over the last week, residents across Seattle have been gathering to build community and share their anger and frustration about the killing of George Floyd and injustices against black Americans, here in Seattle and across the country. While I believe everyone should exercise their right and speak out, we must also remember we’re in the middle of a pandemic,” Durkan said in the statement.“Over the last week, residents across Seattle have been gathering to build community and share their anger and frustration about the killing of George Floyd and injustices against black Americans, here in Seattle and across the country. While I believe everyone should exercise their right and speak out, we must also remember we’re in the middle of a pandemic,” Durkan said in the statement.
Noa Yachot is on the ground at a march in New York City:Noa Yachot is on the ground at a march in New York City:
Thousands marched across the Brooklyn Bridge toward Manhattan’s City Hall on Saturday afternoon in a peaceful protest that began two miles away.Thousands marched across the Brooklyn Bridge toward Manhattan’s City Hall on Saturday afternoon in a peaceful protest that began two miles away.
The march to the bridge blocked traffic on Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn’s main artery, but was met with motorists honking in support along the way. The route was dotted with mutual aid activists passing out masks, bottled water, and granola bars.The march to the bridge blocked traffic on Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn’s main artery, but was met with motorists honking in support along the way. The route was dotted with mutual aid activists passing out masks, bottled water, and granola bars.
Police largely kept their distance from the crowd. Additional protests throughout the city are planned in multiple locations throughout the day.Police largely kept their distance from the crowd. Additional protests throughout the city are planned in multiple locations throughout the day.
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.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 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.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.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.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.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.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 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.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.”“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.”