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George Floyd killing: Washington expecting biggest march yet as mourners prepare for second memorial service – live George Floyd killing: Washington expecting biggest march yet as mourners prepare for second memorial service – live
(32 minutes later)
Latest updates as the protests over the killing of George Floyd enter their second weekendLatest updates as the protests over the killing of George Floyd enter their second weekend
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.”
The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has attacked China’s “obscene propaganda” over the killing of George Floyd.
In a statement released on Saturday, Pompeo criticized “the Chinese Communist Party’s callous exploitation of the tragic death of George Floyd to justify its denial of basic human dignity exposes its true colors yet again.”
Pompeo said there was a stark contrast between the way China and the US treat their own citizens. “In China, when doctors and journalists warn of the dangers of a new disease the [Chinese Communist Party] silences and disappears them ... in the United States, we value life and transparent systems.”
Some may argue Pompeo’s boss does not exactly value those transparent systems and the press holding the government to account.
There will be a public memorial service for George Floyd today in Fayetteville, North Carolina, close to where he was born. Members of the public will be able to view Floyd’s casket between 11am and 1pm at a local church before a private service for family later in the day. Mourners will be allowed in 10 at a time, and will be asked to wear masks.There will be a public memorial service for George Floyd today in Fayetteville, North Carolina, close to where he was born. Members of the public will be able to view Floyd’s casket between 11am and 1pm at a local church before a private service for family later in the day. Mourners will be allowed in 10 at a time, and will be asked to wear masks.
There will be another memorial for Floyd in Houston, where he spent much of his life. Many members of his extended family still live in North Carolina and will attend today’s service.There will be another memorial for Floyd in Houston, where he spent much of his life. Many members of his extended family still live in North Carolina and will attend today’s service.
On Friday night, hundreds of people marched down Fayetteville’s Main Street to mark the killing of Floyd by police in Minnesota. “This is important to do because this is something that is ongoing,” LaToya Gordon of Hoke County Peacemakers, a group that organized the march, told the Fayetteville Observer. “Everybody felt that we wanted people to know that we can be peaceful and be heard.”On Friday night, hundreds of people marched down Fayetteville’s Main Street to mark the killing of Floyd by police in Minnesota. “This is important to do because this is something that is ongoing,” LaToya Gordon of Hoke County Peacemakers, a group that organized the march, told the Fayetteville Observer. “Everybody felt that we wanted people to know that we can be peaceful and be heard.”
The Charlotte Observer has details of the scenes in the town as people start to gather for the memorial:The Charlotte Observer has details of the scenes in the town as people start to gather for the memorial:
People set up chairs along the busy highway as police dogs scanned the conference-center parking lot. Vendors set up across the highway, giving out Black Lives Matter buttons and selling Floyd shirts that read, “I can’t breathe.”People set up chairs along the busy highway as police dogs scanned the conference-center parking lot. Vendors set up across the highway, giving out Black Lives Matter buttons and selling Floyd shirts that read, “I can’t breathe.”
Gregg Packer took an overnight train from Long Island in New York, arriving in Fayetteville at 3 a.m.Gregg Packer took an overnight train from Long Island in New York, arriving in Fayetteville at 3 a.m.
“I felt like I needed to come down here to support the protests and the family of George Floyd,” he said, placing an emphasis on the slain man’s name. “I hope that we can all get along with each other, that we can start treating each other the way we all should.”“I felt like I needed to come down here to support the protests and the family of George Floyd,” he said, placing an emphasis on the slain man’s name. “I hope that we can all get along with each other, that we can start treating each other the way we all should.”
Some locals found meaning in a global event arriving at their door, feeling compelled to represent their corner of the world.Some locals found meaning in a global event arriving at their door, feeling compelled to represent their corner of the world.
“With Fayetteville being a small town, it’s a military town but it’s still small, and Raeford is even smaller,” said Gracie Howard. “All eyes being on this community, it’s opened up a lot of eyes to racial injustice. This has been going on too long. And George, he changed the world.”“With Fayetteville being a small town, it’s a military town but it’s still small, and Raeford is even smaller,” said Gracie Howard. “All eyes being on this community, it’s opened up a lot of eyes to racial injustice. This has been going on too long. And George, he changed the world.”
The NFL, which has willingly acquiesced to Donald Trump’s opposition to peaceful protesting since Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016, changed tack last night. The league’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, put out a statement admitting the league had been wrong not to listen to its players’ opposition to racism (although, significantly, Goodell did not mention Kaepernick, who has been effectively exiled from the league).The NFL, which has willingly acquiesced to Donald Trump’s opposition to peaceful protesting since Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016, changed tack last night. The league’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, put out a statement admitting the league had been wrong not to listen to its players’ opposition to racism (although, significantly, Goodell did not mention Kaepernick, who has been effectively exiled from the league).
Melissa Jacobs has written on the significance of Goodell’s statement:Melissa Jacobs has written on the significance of Goodell’s statement:
You can read the full article below:You can read the full article below:
The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh has filed a grievance after the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pulled an African American reporter from its coverage of this week’s protests because they believed she lacked objectivity.The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh has filed a grievance after the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pulled an African American reporter from its coverage of this week’s protests because they believed she lacked objectivity.
In a tweet that went viral, Alexis Johnson compared the looting that has taken place at some protests over the police killing of George Floyd to the damage caused by fans at a concert by country singer Kenny Chesney.In a tweet that went viral, Alexis Johnson compared the looting that has taken place at some protests over the police killing of George Floyd to the damage caused by fans at a concert by country singer Kenny Chesney.
Members of the Pittsburgh guild subsequently sent identical versions of Johnson’s tweet along with the hashtag #IStandWithAlexis.Members of the Pittsburgh guild subsequently sent identical versions of Johnson’s tweet along with the hashtag #IStandWithAlexis.
“We feel taking a black woman off the most monumental national story about civil rights in the last 50 years is punishment,” the guild’s president, Michael A Fuoco, told the Associated Press. “We have very few black journalists. Someone who has the contacts and the insights for this story, that is what you want.”“We feel taking a black woman off the most monumental national story about civil rights in the last 50 years is punishment,” the guild’s president, Michael A Fuoco, told the Associated Press. “We have very few black journalists. Someone who has the contacts and the insights for this story, that is what you want.”
The Post-Gazette is yet to comment on the matter.The Post-Gazette is yet to comment on the matter.
On Friday, Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto praised Johnson’s reporting. “I have first account knowledge of her reporting,” he wrote on Twitter. “She has been fair in questioning all sides. She has been critical of me & our administration- when it was necessary. Most importantly, she has been professional in journalistic accepted practices & integrity.”On Friday, Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto praised Johnson’s reporting. “I have first account knowledge of her reporting,” he wrote on Twitter. “She has been fair in questioning all sides. She has been critical of me & our administration- when it was necessary. Most importantly, she has been professional in journalistic accepted practices & integrity.”
Johnson said on Friday she has been touched by the support she has received. “Okay. Now I’m crying thank you @PGNewsGuild for going to bat for me,” he wrote. “Thank you everyone for your support and your words of encouragement, your actions. I am just ... wow. Thank you.”Johnson said on Friday she has been touched by the support she has received. “Okay. Now I’m crying thank you @PGNewsGuild for going to bat for me,” he wrote. “Thank you everyone for your support and your words of encouragement, your actions. I am just ... wow. Thank you.”
General Charles Q Brown Jr, a nominee to become the US Air Force’s first-ever black service chief, has posted a video to Twitter talking about his experiences as an African American military member.General Charles Q Brown Jr, a nominee to become the US Air Force’s first-ever black service chief, has posted a video to Twitter talking about his experiences as an African American military member.
“I’m thinking about how full I am with emotion, not just for George Floyd, but the many African Americans who have suffered the same fate as George Floyd. I’m thinking about protests in my country ... The equality expressed in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution that I’ve sworn my adult life to protect and defend,” he said. “I’m thinking … about my own experiences, that didn’t always sing of liberty and equality. I’m thinking about living in two worlds, each with their own perspective and views.”“I’m thinking about how full I am with emotion, not just for George Floyd, but the many African Americans who have suffered the same fate as George Floyd. I’m thinking about protests in my country ... The equality expressed in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution that I’ve sworn my adult life to protect and defend,” he said. “I’m thinking … about my own experiences, that didn’t always sing of liberty and equality. I’m thinking about living in two worlds, each with their own perspective and views.”
Brown logged 130 combat hours as a fighter pilot but said he had to work harder than others in the Air Force to prove himself. “I’m thinking about the pressure that I felt to perform error free, especially for supervisors that I perceived expected less of me as an African American,” he said. “I’m thinking about having to represent, to work twice as hard, to prove that their perceptions of African Americans were invalid.”Brown logged 130 combat hours as a fighter pilot but said he had to work harder than others in the Air Force to prove himself. “I’m thinking about the pressure that I felt to perform error free, especially for supervisors that I perceived expected less of me as an African American,” he said. “I’m thinking about having to represent, to work twice as hard, to prove that their perceptions of African Americans were invalid.”
A report last week detailed racial disparities in the Air Force’s justice system. Brown talked in the video how he hopes he can change the service if he is appointed as the service’s new head.A report last week detailed racial disparities in the Air Force’s justice system. Brown talked in the video how he hopes he can change the service if he is appointed as the service’s new head.
“I’m thinking about how my nomination provides some hope but also comes with a heavy burden,” he said. “I can’t fix centuries of racism in our country, nor can I fix decades of discrimination that may have affected members of our Air Force.”“I’m thinking about how my nomination provides some hope but also comes with a heavy burden,” he said. “I can’t fix centuries of racism in our country, nor can I fix decades of discrimination that may have affected members of our Air Force.”
Reports last week indicated the US attorney general, William Barr, had ordered law enforcement to use gas and horses to clear a group of peaceful protesters who had gathered near the White House so that Donald Trump could hold a photo opportunity outside a local church. Now Barr, like so many Trump allies, is in damage limitation mode and says he did not personally issue any such command – even if he agreed with it.Reports last week indicated the US attorney general, William Barr, had ordered law enforcement to use gas and horses to clear a group of peaceful protesters who had gathered near the White House so that Donald Trump could hold a photo opportunity outside a local church. Now Barr, like so many Trump allies, is in damage limitation mode and says he did not personally issue any such command – even if he agreed with it.
“I’m not involved in giving tactical commands like that,” Barr told the Associated Press on Friday. “I was frustrated and I was also worried that as the crowd grew, it was going to be harder and harder to do. So my attitude was get it done, but I didn’t say, ‘Go do it.’”“I’m not involved in giving tactical commands like that,” Barr told the Associated Press on Friday. “I was frustrated and I was also worried that as the crowd grew, it was going to be harder and harder to do. So my attitude was get it done, but I didn’t say, ‘Go do it.’”
Guardian columnist Lloyd Green has had a deeper look at Barr, and his influence in Trump’s administration:Guardian columnist Lloyd Green has had a deeper look at Barr, and his influence in Trump’s administration:
You can read the full article here:You can read the full article here:
I’m handing over to my colleague Tom Lutz in New York now, thank you to everyone for reading along and sending in your comments and suggestions.I’m handing over to my colleague Tom Lutz in New York now, thank you to everyone for reading along and sending in your comments and suggestions.
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.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.
Despite warnings from the government to avoid mass gatherings due to Covid-19 restrictions, Parliament Square in London is already full of protesters today.Despite warnings from the government to avoid mass gatherings due to Covid-19 restrictions, Parliament Square in London is already full of protesters today.
Other protests are planned for around the country, including in Manchester, Leicester, Sheffield and Newcastle Upon Tyne.Other protests are planned for around the country, including in Manchester, Leicester, Sheffield and Newcastle Upon Tyne.
The home secretary, Priti Patel, urged people not to join the Black Lives Matter protests because “we must put public health first at this particular time”. She said:The home secretary, Priti Patel, urged people not to join the Black Lives Matter protests because “we must put public health first at this particular time”. She said:
Videos have shown hundreds of protesters kneeling in silence - a gesture used to protest against police brutality and racism.Videos have shown hundreds of protesters kneeling in silence - a gesture used to protest against police brutality and racism.
Meanwhile, some people are handing out free personal protective equipment (PPE) to demonstrators - hand sanitiser, gloves and masks.Meanwhile, some people are handing out free personal protective equipment (PPE) to demonstrators - hand sanitiser, gloves and masks.
With a knee to his neck and head against the concrete, George Floyd became the face of one of the largest uprisings in modern American history. His final moments at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers was replayed on social media and television all across a country that was already in crisis.With a knee to his neck and head against the concrete, George Floyd became the face of one of the largest uprisings in modern American history. His final moments at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers was replayed on social media and television all across a country that was already in crisis.
America is in economic free fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. And it is black Americans who have been disproportionately impacted by mounting deaths and crushing job losses, making up a disproportionate number of the 42 million people left unemployed.America is in economic free fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. And it is black Americans who have been disproportionately impacted by mounting deaths and crushing job losses, making up a disproportionate number of the 42 million people left unemployed.
Black Americans, already subjected to generations of systemic racism, were now more likely to die from the coronavirus and also faced losing their jobs in higher numbers as a result of record unemployment.Black Americans, already subjected to generations of systemic racism, were now more likely to die from the coronavirus and also faced losing their jobs in higher numbers as a result of record unemployment.
George Floyd, then, was no exception.George Floyd, then, was no exception.
State medical examiners confirmed this week that Floyd had contracted the coronavirus by late-April. He had also lost his job. But that didn’t cause his death.State medical examiners confirmed this week that Floyd had contracted the coronavirus by late-April. He had also lost his job. But that didn’t cause his death.
Instead, Floyd died from what historian Carol Anderson called “the longest ongoing saga in American history”.Instead, Floyd died from what historian Carol Anderson called “the longest ongoing saga in American history”.
In Paris, police have banned a protest planned for Saturday, citing the 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.
Preparing for the eventuality that protesters would ignore the ban, French police sealed off roads around the US Embassy early on Saturday.
The British government urged people not to gather in large numbers and police have warned that mass demonstrations could be unlawful.
Though the demonstrations, such as one planned for Saturday on Parliament Square in central London, have not been banned directly, they could fall foul of lockdown restrictions.
In England, gatherings of more than six people are not permitted. That restriction didn’t stop thousands gathering on Wednesday in a largely peaceful protest in central London over Floyd’s death.
“The reason that it is vital that people stick to the rules this weekend is to protect themselves and their family from this horrific disease”, British health secretary, Matt Hancock, said.
“So please, for the safety of your loved ones, do not attend large gatherings including demonstrations of more than six people.”
In Berlin, where a Black Lives Matter rally was scheduled for Saturday afternoon, police said several store windows were smashed overnight and walls were painted with slogans referring to George Floyd’s death.
Donald Trump promised on Twitter this week that “the United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization”.
Legal experts immediately threw cold water on the proposal, arguing that there may be no means by which any domestic entity can be designated in this way.
But, perhaps more importantly, experts also say that there is no actual antifa organization for Trump to define in this way. Put simply: antifa does not really exist as a distinct entity.
Doctors, nurses and disease experts have warned that dousing crowds with teargas and pepper spray will accelerate the spread of coronavirus as mass demonstrations against police brutality rage on.
Nearly 1,300 medical providers and public health experts have signed a petition this week calling for police to stop using the chemical agents, amid scenes of law enforcement officers launching plumes of chemical irritants and smoke to subdue demonstrators in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, New York and many other American cities.
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.
For 8 minutes and 46 seconds - the length of time it took George Floyd, an unarmed black man, to die at the hands of Minneapolis police - cable TV kids channel Nickelodeon’s screen went black on Tuesday to sounds of inhaling and exhaling, as white text flashed “I can’t breathe.”
Pokemon pledged $100,000 in support for Black Lives Matter.
Sesame Street is co-hosting a televised town hall meeting with CNN on Saturday morning.
These are just a few of the examples of how companies that entertain or sell products for kids are adjusting their messages, as they attempt to deal with this moment in American history and explain the complexities of racism and police brutality to children through action and words.
“It’s one thing to try to preserve the innocence of children, but you shouldn’t preserve the ignorance of children in a country that is multiracial that has this bad history,” CNN commentator Van Jones told Reuters in an interview on Friday.
Jones and CNN anchor Erica Hill will host an hour-long special on CNN titled Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism in partnership with Sesame Street. The show aims to teach school-aged children how to identify inequality and speak out against it.
Experts said parents need help interpreting for children the relentless barrage of messages on social media and on television as peaceful protesters and looters clash with authorities all across the country.
“I have seen a spike in anxiety for my black kid clients because they are having access to the news,” said Javonte’ Bass, a clinical mental health counselor. “When the parents are watching, they’re listening.”
Fear of catching the coronavirus forced families indoors. Fear of dying at the hands of police are keeping kids from going back out, Bass said. One nine-year-old black child even asked Bass, “Am I going to get shot, too?”
On CNN’s event, Jones said viewers should not expect a historical rundown of slavery and colonialism in the United States. The show will urge parents to teach their children empathy. “Failing to teach kids about empathy and fairness is always harmful,” Jones said.
Guardian reporters in the US and around the world reflect on a week of profound unrest – and, possibly, change.
Chris McGreal, Guardian US reporter, in Minneapolis
Aamna Mohdin, Guardian reporter, in London
Julian Borger, world affairs editor, in Washington DC
On Tuesday 9 June at 7pm BST (2pm EDT) the Guardian is holding a live-streamed event about the meaning of George Floyd’s killing, featuring Guardian journalists including US southern bureau chief Oliver Laughland, reporter Kenya Evelyn, writer Chris McGreal and columnist Malaika Jabali.
Book tickets here.
False social media rumors about so-called antifa activists traveling en masse into rural areas of America have led rightwing vigilantes to carry out armed patrols of small cities and towns in the western United States and beyond.
In some cases, local activists planning peaceful protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and in protest at the killing of George Floyd have been inundated with death threats.
Since Donald Trump tweeted recently that antifa would be declared a terrorist group, the term has gained broader currency on the American right and is seen as a dire threat. In fact, it simply means “anti-fascist” and is used to describe a wide spectrum of leftist and anarchist groups and individuals. It has no existence as a separate organization.
The FBI has said there is “no evidence” of antifa involvement in violence linked to the Floyd protests and NBC News has reported one supposed antifa group posting violent rhetoric on the internet was in fact linked to white supremacists.
But in the Idaho city of Coeur d’Alene, groups of 30-50 men armed with semi-automatic weapons have occupied downtown streets on successive evenings this week, guarding against supposed busloads of radical leftists rumored to traveling from cities such as Spokane or Seattle, according to local residents and social media materials obtained by the Guardian.
Videos posted to social media by supporters of the vigilante groups showed dozens of people walking up and down a downtown shopping strip, with many open-carrying AR-15s and other semi-automatic long guns, and sporting tactical apparel.
Reports coming in of police spraying protesters with pepper spray and at least one arrest after a demonstration in Sydney, Australia.
Tens of thousands of people marched through Australian cities and towns for Black Lives Matter protests on Saturday, defying an attempt from the police to ban one demonstration through the courts.
In a dramatic turn of events, a massive crowd in Sydney learned just as they were gathering outside the city’s Town Hall that the New South Wales court of appeal had ruled their rally was now lawful.
They were drawing attention to racial profiling, police brutality and the more than 400 Indigenous people who have died in police custody since a royal commission into the problem was held in 1991.
In Sydney, there were some ugly scenes when police officers used pepper spray on protesters who had flowed into Central station after the rally finished.
Some protesters were visibly hurt by the spray, with eyes streaming, and there were accusations that the remaining crowd had been forced together into a small space in the station and unable to move.
One journalist who was at the scene in Central station filmed the incident, showing what looks like a man being arrested and some physical altercations between police and protesters, while people chant “black lives matter” in the background.
At least 20,000 people marched in Sydney for the ‘Stop All Black Deaths in Custody’ rally, which was declared an authorised public assembly minutes before its scheduled start time of 3pm, after a court ruling was overturned.
Thousands of protesters rallied in cities and towns across Australia to march against Indigenous deaths in custody and the killing of George Floyd.
Hi, welcome to our US politics live blog which will be following the Black Lives Matter protests across the world sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis 12 days ago.
I’m Jessica Murray, I’ll be steering the blog for the next few hours - feel free to get in touch via email (jessica.murray@theguardian.com) or via Twitter (@journojess_)
Protesters are expected to gather in Washington for a huge demonstration on Saturday.
“We have a lot of public, open source information to suggest that the event on this upcoming Saturday may be one of the largest we’ve ever had in the city,” Washington DC police chief Peter Newsham said.
North Carolina governor Roy Cooper has ordered that all flags at state facilities be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday in honor of Floyd, who was originally from the state’s Fayetteville city. A televised memorial service will also be held in the city.
Here is a quick recap of the latest developments in the last day or so:
On Friday, marches and gatherings took place in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Miami, New York and Denver, among other places, while protesters massed again, in the rain, in front of the White House. The night-time protests were largely peaceful but tension remains high even as authorities in several places take steps to reform police procedures.
A federal judge in Denver ordered city police to stop using tear gas, plastic bullets and other “less-than-lethal” devices such as flash grenades, with his ruling citing examples of protesters and journalists being injured by police.
In Minneapolis, Democratic city leaders voted to end the use of knee restraints and choke-holds, where pressure is applied to the neck, while California governor Gavin Newsom said he would end state police training of carotid restraints similar to the technique used on Floyd.
Black Lives Matter activists have called for cities to defund police departments. Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat who in April proposed increasing law enforcement funding, this week reversed course and said he would seek some $150m in cuts to the LA Police Department.
National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell said the league had made mistakes in not listening to players. The NFL has been locked in a debate with players over kneeling protests during the playing of the national anthem.
Two police officers in Buffalo, New York, were suspended without pay on Thursday and placed under investigation after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old man to the ground. But the decision was met with pushback from the officers’ colleagues, with all 57 members of the police tactical unit quitting in protest at their treatment.
Finally, the protests have now spread right across the globe with people in Australia, Japan and South Korea all taking to the streets in solidarity with those in the US and to call out issues of systemic racism in their own countries.