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US protests live: hundreds of thousands march against racial injustice US protests live: hundreds of thousands march against racial injustice – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
Large crowds from coast to coast demonstrate against police killing of George FloydLarge crowds from coast to coast demonstrate against police killing of George Floyd
That’s it from us tonight. The Guardian will continue live coverage tomorrow morning.
Protests carried on across in the nation, in one of the most massive mobilizations since the police killing of George Floyd sparked nationwide demonstrations against police brutality and systematic racism.Protests carried on across in the nation, in one of the most massive mobilizations since the police killing of George Floyd sparked nationwide demonstrations against police brutality and systematic racism.
More than 10,000 people took to the streets in Washington, DC, and in Philadelphia, the crowd radiated for blocks from the city’s art museum. In Atlanta, protesters danced and in Denver, marchers were joined by a brass band. In San Francisco, demonstrators flooded onto the Golden Gate bridge.More than 10,000 people took to the streets in Washington, DC, and in Philadelphia, the crowd radiated for blocks from the city’s art museum. In Atlanta, protesters danced and in Denver, marchers were joined by a brass band. In San Francisco, demonstrators flooded onto the Golden Gate bridge.
Although Seattle blocked the use of teargas, officers deployed OC gas and flashbang grenades on protestors. The use of such crowd control tactics have been criticized by public health officials, who warn that chemical weapons and smoke bombs can exacerbate the spread of coronavirus.Although Seattle blocked the use of teargas, officers deployed OC gas and flashbang grenades on protestors. The use of such crowd control tactics have been criticized by public health officials, who warn that chemical weapons and smoke bombs can exacerbate the spread of coronavirus.
In Richmond, Virginia, demonstrators tore down the statue of a Confederate general. The state’s governor agreed this week to begin removing Confederate monuments from the capital.In Richmond, Virginia, demonstrators tore down the statue of a Confederate general. The state’s governor agreed this week to begin removing Confederate monuments from the capital.
The top editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer has resigned following an uproar over the headline, “Buildings matter too”. The tone-deaf headline sparked a public protest among staff. The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh has also filed a grievance after the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pulled two African American journalists from its coverage of this week’s protests because they were seen as biased for being Black.The top editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer has resigned following an uproar over the headline, “Buildings matter too”. The tone-deaf headline sparked a public protest among staff. The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh has also filed a grievance after the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pulled two African American journalists from its coverage of this week’s protests because they were seen as biased for being Black.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was booed after telling protestors he did not support defunding the police. Activists around the country are calling on officials to defund law enforcement — in DC, demonstrators even painted “Defund the police” onto a street near the White House. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was booed after telling protesters he did not support defunding the police. Activists around the country are calling on officials to defund law enforcement — in DC, demonstrators even painted “Defund the police” onto a street near the White House.
The two Buffalo police officers who were suspended after being captured on video shoving a 75-year-old protester in recent demonstrations, prompting the mass resignation of the department’s entire emergency response team, have been charged with assault. But their colleagues have stood by them, cheering the accused as they left the courthouse after being charged.The two Buffalo police officers who were suspended after being captured on video shoving a 75-year-old protester in recent demonstrations, prompting the mass resignation of the department’s entire emergency response team, have been charged with assault. But their colleagues have stood by them, cheering the accused as they left the courthouse after being charged.
Artists across the nation have been creating murals on boarded up business.Artists across the nation have been creating murals on boarded up business.
Like this in Portland, Oregon:Like this in Portland, Oregon:
And these in Oakland:And these in Oakland:
George Floyd’s younger brother Philonise will testify before Congress next week in a hearing on law enforcement reform, the Washington Post reports.George Floyd’s younger brother Philonise will testify before Congress next week in a hearing on law enforcement reform, the Washington Post reports.
Floyd is expected to testify on Wednesday morning before the House Judiciary Committee, a committee spokeswoman told the Post.Floyd is expected to testify on Wednesday morning before the House Judiciary Committee, a committee spokeswoman told the Post.
Floyd has also spoken with Trump, who he said “didn’t give me an opportunity to even speak.” Floyd has also had a phone call with Trump, who he said “didn’t give me an opportunity to even speak.”
“It was hard. I was trying to talk to him, but he just kept, like, pushing me off, like ‘I don’t want to hear what you’re talking about,” Floyd told MSNBC last weekend. “And I just told him, I want justice. I said that I couldn’t believe that they committed a modern-day lynching in broad daylight.”“It was hard. I was trying to talk to him, but he just kept, like, pushing me off, like ‘I don’t want to hear what you’re talking about,” Floyd told MSNBC last weekend. “And I just told him, I want justice. I said that I couldn’t believe that they committed a modern-day lynching in broad daylight.”
Demonstrators in Richmond, Virginia have pulled down a statue of Confederate general William Carter Wickham.Demonstrators in Richmond, Virginia have pulled down a statue of Confederate general William Carter Wickham.
Earlier this week, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that the state would begin clearing Confederate structures from Richmond, including a towering monument to Robert E. Lee.Earlier this week, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that the state would begin clearing Confederate structures from Richmond, including a towering monument to Robert E. Lee.
Nearly 1,300 medical providers and public health experts have signed a petition this week calling for police to stop using the chemical agents — not just teargas, but also smoke bombs, pepper spray — over concerns that it will exacerbate the spread of coronavirus.Nearly 1,300 medical providers and public health experts have signed a petition this week calling for police to stop using the chemical agents — not just teargas, but also smoke bombs, pepper spray — over concerns that it will exacerbate the spread of coronavirus.
On Friday, Seattle’s mayor announced a 30-day moratorium on the use of teargas during protests after an outcry. But pepper spray, like tear gas, is a lachrymatory agent that causes tears, saliva and mucus to stream from demonstrators’ eyes and noses,On Friday, Seattle’s mayor announced a 30-day moratorium on the use of teargas during protests after an outcry. But pepper spray, like tear gas, is a lachrymatory agent that causes tears, saliva and mucus to stream from demonstrators’ eyes and noses,
Because coronavirus spreads through droplets of mucus and spit that people launch into the air when they cough, sneeze, breathe and talk, teargas and other irritants that cause people to choke, hack and rip off their face masks will help the virus proliferate, according to Dr Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease physician who helped draft the petition.Because coronavirus spreads through droplets of mucus and spit that people launch into the air when they cough, sneeze, breathe and talk, teargas and other irritants that cause people to choke, hack and rip off their face masks will help the virus proliferate, according to Dr Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease physician who helped draft the petition.
Gas and pepper sprays also cause tears, saliva and mucus to stream from demonstrators’ eyes and noses, said Chin-Hong. “And it’ll cause people to shout and scream, propelling droplets of these fluids – which could be carrying coronavirus – and giving them superpowers, to spread much farther than six feet.”Gas and pepper sprays also cause tears, saliva and mucus to stream from demonstrators’ eyes and noses, said Chin-Hong. “And it’ll cause people to shout and scream, propelling droplets of these fluids – which could be carrying coronavirus – and giving them superpowers, to spread much farther than six feet.”
In Seattle, police are using flashbangs and pepper spray against protesters, according to footage capture by a reporter for the Seattle Times. In Seattle, police are using flashbangs and pepper spray against protesters, according to footage captured by a reporter for the Seattle Times.
The city banned the use of tear gas yesterday — but it seems officers have found a workaround.The city banned the use of tear gas yesterday — but it seems officers have found a workaround.
Across the nation today, protestors called on officials to “defund the police”. 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. Across the nation today, protesters called on officials to “defund the police”. 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.
What does it mean to ‘defund the police’?What does it mean to ‘defund the police’?
For years, community groups have advocated for defunding law enforcement – taking money away from police and prisons – and reinvesting those funds in services. The basic principle is that government budgets and “public safety” spending should prioritize housing, employment, community health, education and other vital programs, instead of police officers. Advocates argue that defunding is the best way forward since attempts to reform police practices over the last five years have failed, as evidenced by the brutal killing of George Floyd. Groups have a range of demands, with some seeking modest reductions and others viewing full defunding as a step toward abolishing contemporary police services.For years, community groups have advocated for defunding law enforcement – taking money away from police and prisons – and reinvesting those funds in services. The basic principle is that government budgets and “public safety” spending should prioritize housing, employment, community health, education and other vital programs, instead of police officers. Advocates argue that defunding is the best way forward since attempts to reform police practices over the last five years have failed, as evidenced by the brutal killing of George Floyd. Groups have a range of demands, with some seeking modest reductions and others viewing full defunding as a step toward abolishing contemporary police services.
How much does America currently spend on police?How much does America currently spend on police?
In the past four decades, the cost of policing in the US has tripled and is now $115bn, according to a recent analysis. That steady increase comes as crime has been consistently declining. In most cities, spending on police is significantly greater than spending on services and other departments ($1.8bn on police in Los Angeles, for example, which is more than half the city’s general fund). The Covid-19 economic crisis has led cities and states to make drastic budget cuts to education, youth programs, arts and culture, parks, libraries, housing services and more. But police budgets have grown or gone largely untouched – until pressure from protests this weekIn the past four decades, the cost of policing in the US has tripled and is now $115bn, according to a recent analysis. That steady increase comes as crime has been consistently declining. In most cities, spending on police is significantly greater than spending on services and other departments ($1.8bn on police in Los Angeles, for example, which is more than half the city’s general fund). The Covid-19 economic crisis has led cities and states to make drastic budget cuts to education, youth programs, arts and culture, parks, libraries, housing services and more. But police budgets have grown or gone largely untouched – until pressure from protests this week
In Buffalo, where two officers were charged with the assault of a 75-year-old man amid protests, demonstrators have defied curfew and and returned to the city’s Niagra square for another night of rallying against police brutality.In Buffalo, where two officers were charged with the assault of a 75-year-old man amid protests, demonstrators have defied curfew and and returned to the city’s Niagra square for another night of rallying against police brutality.
Police officers Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski were charged and released without bail today. A crowd of off-duty officers, firefighters and others gathered outside the courthouse in a show of support for accused.Police officers Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski were charged and released without bail today. A crowd of off-duty officers, firefighters and others gathered outside the courthouse in a show of support for accused.
Here’s a sweet moment from earlier today, in Philadelphia:Here’s a sweet moment from earlier today, in Philadelphia:
The city of brotherly love saw one of the biggest showings of protesters yet, with crowds stretching across blocks and blocks around the Philadelphia Art Museum.The city of brotherly love saw one of the biggest showings of protesters yet, with crowds stretching across blocks and blocks around the Philadelphia Art Museum.
Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh, blogging from the West Coast (and taking over from my colleague Bryan Graham in the east).Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh, blogging from the West Coast (and taking over from my colleague Bryan Graham in the east).
First, let’s check in on the nation’s capital, where more than 10,000 people poured into the streets, gathered near Lafayette Square by the White House, marching down U Street’s historic Black Broadway, coalesced at the feet of Abraham Lincoln giant marble memorial.First, let’s check in on the nation’s capital, where more than 10,000 people poured into the streets, gathered near Lafayette Square by the White House, marching down U Street’s historic Black Broadway, coalesced at the feet of Abraham Lincoln giant marble memorial.
Donald Trump, who remained fortified behind the two miles of newly erected fencing surrounding the White House, tweeted: “Much smaller crowd in D.C. than anticipated. National Guard, Secret Service, and DC Police have been doing a fantastic job.”Donald Trump, who remained fortified behind the two miles of newly erected fencing surrounding the White House, tweeted: “Much smaller crowd in D.C. than anticipated. National Guard, Secret Service, and DC Police have been doing a fantastic job.”
Of course, DC saw one of the most massive mobilizations of protesters since demonstrations began nearly two weeks ago. And today, there were markedly fewer tanks and heavily armed federal officers around the city – following widespread outcry over the presence of militarized law enforcement over the past week.Of course, DC saw one of the most massive mobilizations of protesters since demonstrations began nearly two weeks ago. And today, there were markedly fewer tanks and heavily armed federal officers around the city – following widespread outcry over the presence of militarized law enforcement over the past week.
More than 140 scientists funded by Mark Zuckerberg have said Facebook should not be letting US president Donald Trump use the social media platform to “spread both misinformation and incendiary statements”.More than 140 scientists funded by Mark Zuckerberg have said Facebook should not be letting US president Donald Trump use the social media platform to “spread both misinformation and incendiary statements”.
The researchers, which include more than 60 professors at leading US research institutions and one Nobel laureate, sent the Facebook CEO a letter on Saturday asking him to “consider stricter policies on misinformation and incendiary language that harms people” and decrying the “deliberate misinformation and divisive language” as counter to the scientists’ broader goals of eradicating disease.The researchers, which include more than 60 professors at leading US research institutions and one Nobel laureate, sent the Facebook CEO a letter on Saturday asking him to “consider stricter policies on misinformation and incendiary language that harms people” and decrying the “deliberate misinformation and divisive language” as counter to the scientists’ broader goals of eradicating disease.
The two Buffalo police officers who were suspended after being captured on video shoving a 75-year-old protester in recent demonstrations, prompting the mass resignation of the department’s entire emergency response team, have been charged with assault.The two Buffalo police officers who were suspended after being captured on video shoving a 75-year-old protester in recent demonstrations, prompting the mass resignation of the department’s entire emergency response team, have been charged with assault.
The top editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer has resigned following an uproar over a headline bemoaning property damage incurred during the ongoing protests decrying police brutality and racial injustice, the newspaper has announced.The top editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer has resigned following an uproar over a headline bemoaning property damage incurred during the ongoing protests decrying police brutality and racial injustice, the newspaper has announced.
The paper said Stan Wischnowski, 58, was stepping down as senior vice president and executive editor after apologizing on Wednesday for the “horribly wrong” decision to use the headline, “Buildings Matter, Too”, on a column Tuesday suggested an equivalence between the loss of buildings and the lives of black Americans.The paper said Stan Wischnowski, 58, was stepping down as senior vice president and executive editor after apologizing on Wednesday for the “horribly wrong” decision to use the headline, “Buildings Matter, Too”, on a column Tuesday suggested an equivalence between the loss of buildings and the lives of black Americans.
The tone-deaf headline prompted a public denouncement from staff. Features reporter Brandon Bell wrote on Twitter that he was calling in “sick and tired” to work on Thursday. Some 30 members, out of a staff of about 210, skipped work for the same reason, a spokesman said.The tone-deaf headline prompted a public denouncement from staff. Features reporter Brandon Bell wrote on Twitter that he was calling in “sick and tired” to work on Thursday. Some 30 members, out of a staff of about 210, skipped work for the same reason, a spokesman said.
Bell was among those who distributed an open letter of protest, saying African American journalists were tired of careless mistakes that make it harder to do their jobs and, at worst, put lives at risk.Bell was among those who distributed an open letter of protest, saying African American journalists were tired of careless mistakes that make it harder to do their jobs and, at worst, put lives at risk.
“We’re tired of shouldering the burden of dragging this 200-year-old institution kicking and screaming into a more equitable age,” the letter read. “We’re tired of being told to show both sides of issues there are no two sides of.”“We’re tired of shouldering the burden of dragging this 200-year-old institution kicking and screaming into a more equitable age,” the letter read. “We’re tired of being told to show both sides of issues there are no two sides of.”
Guardian US reporter Nina Lakhani reports from Harlem:Guardian US reporter Nina Lakhani reports from Harlem:
Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets in San Francisco, Sacramento, Simi Valley, San Diego, Los Angeles and elsewhere across California on Saturday as the protest matches over the killing of George Floyd continued into their second week.Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets in San Francisco, Sacramento, Simi Valley, San Diego, Los Angeles and elsewhere across California on Saturday as the protest matches over the killing of George Floyd continued into their second week.
According to the Associated Press:According to the Associated Press:
In Los Angeles, protesters organized by Refuse Fascism LA took over Hollywood Boulevard, chanting “Revolution, nothing less!”In Los Angeles, protesters organized by Refuse Fascism LA took over Hollywood Boulevard, chanting “Revolution, nothing less!”
In San Diego, more than 3,000 people marched downtown and faced off with officers guarding police headquarters, while a caravan of 300 cars moved past the state university there.In San Diego, more than 3,000 people marched downtown and faced off with officers guarding police headquarters, while a caravan of 300 cars moved past the state university there.
In Simi Valley, a protest drawing several thousand demonstrators spilled onto the street and stopped traffic on a major road through the suburban town northwest of Los Angeles. It was there that four white Los Angeles police officers were found not guilty of beating motorist Rodney King, sparking riots in 1992.In Simi Valley, a protest drawing several thousand demonstrators spilled onto the street and stopped traffic on a major road through the suburban town northwest of Los Angeles. It was there that four white Los Angeles police officers were found not guilty of beating motorist Rodney King, sparking riots in 1992.
Roderick Sweeney, 49, who is black, said he was overwhelmed to see the large turnout of white protesters waving signs that said “Black Lives Matter” during a demonstration on San Francisco’s famed Golden Gate Bridge, the AP reported.Roderick Sweeney, 49, who is black, said he was overwhelmed to see the large turnout of white protesters waving signs that said “Black Lives Matter” during a demonstration on San Francisco’s famed Golden Gate Bridge, the AP reported.
“We’ve had discussions in our family and among friends that nothing is going to change until our white brothers and sisters voice their opinion,” he said. The large turnout of white protesters “is sending a powerful message. You can see protests are happening around this world, and so I’m hoping change will happen.”“We’ve had discussions in our family and among friends that nothing is going to change until our white brothers and sisters voice their opinion,” he said. The large turnout of white protesters “is sending a powerful message. You can see protests are happening around this world, and so I’m hoping change will happen.”