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George Floyd: Barr denies police are systemically racist as protests sweep US – live George Floyd: Barr denies police are systemically racist as protests sweep US – live
(32 minutes later)
Peaceful protests sweep US as calls for racial justice reach new heightsPeaceful protests sweep US as calls for racial justice reach new heights
The army secretary, Ryan McCarthy, said the Pentagon did not want to deploy troops on the streets of Washington DC last week as protesters gathered on the streets. He said the Insurrection Act, which would have allowed Donald Trump, to deploy active military members in the protests was “heavily discussed” by the administration.
“[The soldiers] were on the outskirts cause we didn’t want to do it. The department of defense didn’t want to do it because we knew once we went to that escalation, it’s very very difficult,” McCarthy told reporters on Sunday. “We did everything we could to not cross that line.”
McCarthy added that out of state national guard would start leaving the city later on Sunday. “Effective 5pm this evening we will begin redeploying the out of state guardsmen starting with the state of Mississippi ... as well as the state of Florida, Utah and Indiana,” McCarthy said.
Thousands of people have attended an anti-racism protest in Milan. Children born of foreign parents in Italy are not automatically eligible for citizenship until they reach 18 after continuously living in the country, and some protesters wanted to bring attention to legal reform on the question. There have been complaints that the children of foreigners aren’t considered Italians even though they have been born and raised in the country.Thousands of people have attended an anti-racism protest in Milan. Children born of foreign parents in Italy are not automatically eligible for citizenship until they reach 18 after continuously living in the country, and some protesters wanted to bring attention to legal reform on the question. There have been complaints that the children of foreigners aren’t considered Italians even though they have been born and raised in the country.
According to the Associated Press, “organizers on Sunday told participants that in Italy, the Black Lives Matter slogan means avoiding ‘seeing black bodies as if they’re foreigners’ and not as citizens.According to the Associated Press, “organizers on Sunday told participants that in Italy, the Black Lives Matter slogan means avoiding ‘seeing black bodies as if they’re foreigners’ and not as citizens.
The Guardian has published an editorial on the protests that have spread across the US – and the world – in the weeks since George Floyd’s killing by police.The Guardian has published an editorial on the protests that have spread across the US – and the world – in the weeks since George Floyd’s killing by police.
George Floyd’s name is now known around the globe; his death has sparked protests from Berlin to Mexico City. The extraordinary cruelty of his killing has shocked the world. But his death has resonated so widely not because it was exceptional, but because it was not. Not exceptional in the US, where the toll of African Americans who have died at police hands is long and shameful. And not, unfortunately, exceptional elsewhere.George Floyd’s name is now known around the globe; his death has sparked protests from Berlin to Mexico City. The extraordinary cruelty of his killing has shocked the world. But his death has resonated so widely not because it was exceptional, but because it was not. Not exceptional in the US, where the toll of African Americans who have died at police hands is long and shameful. And not, unfortunately, exceptional elsewhere.
Tens of thousands gathered at the weekend in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow and other parts of the UK. In Bristol, protesters toppled a statue of slave trader Edward Colston. But the movement has also brought people on to the streets in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires; in Abuja and Nairobi; in Barcelona, Copenhagen and Paris. These marches express solidarity and outrage that the richest and most powerful country in the world should continue to treat its people this way. Demonstrators oppose the racial legacy it embodies, and the brutal, militarised police response to protests.Tens of thousands gathered at the weekend in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow and other parts of the UK. In Bristol, protesters toppled a statue of slave trader Edward Colston. But the movement has also brought people on to the streets in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires; in Abuja and Nairobi; in Barcelona, Copenhagen and Paris. These marches express solidarity and outrage that the richest and most powerful country in the world should continue to treat its people this way. Demonstrators oppose the racial legacy it embodies, and the brutal, militarised police response to protests.
But though they honour the African American experience, they also recognise the commonality of black struggles elsewhere, and more broadly the fight for human rights. The words “I can’t breathe” are chillingly familiar. In Australia, they evoke the death of David Dungay, an Indigenous man who uttered those words 12 times as he was restrained by prison guards. In Britain, they were cried out by Jimmy Mubenga as security guards pinned the deportee to his plane seat.But though they honour the African American experience, they also recognise the commonality of black struggles elsewhere, and more broadly the fight for human rights. The words “I can’t breathe” are chillingly familiar. In Australia, they evoke the death of David Dungay, an Indigenous man who uttered those words 12 times as he was restrained by prison guards. In Britain, they were cried out by Jimmy Mubenga as security guards pinned the deportee to his plane seat.
You can read the full story here:You can read the full story here:
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said during his daily press briefing on Sunday that poor management was to blame for incidents of looting over the last week in New York City.New York governor Andrew Cuomo said during his daily press briefing on Sunday that poor management was to blame for incidents of looting over the last week in New York City.
“The looting had nothing to do with protesting. Protesting is different,” Cuomo said. “You have looting, and you have protesting. You have apples, you have oranges. They’re different. Well the night of looting was the fault of the police officers? No, it wasn’t the fault of the protesters and it wasn’t the fault of the police officers, I said it was the management and deployment of the police officers.”“The looting had nothing to do with protesting. Protesting is different,” Cuomo said. “You have looting, and you have protesting. You have apples, you have oranges. They’re different. Well the night of looting was the fault of the police officers? No, it wasn’t the fault of the protesters and it wasn’t the fault of the police officers, I said it was the management and deployment of the police officers.”
Like Washington DC’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, Cuomo said defunding police would not be helpful. “No police? You get looting. That’s what you get. Nobody wants that,” he said.Like Washington DC’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, Cuomo said defunding police would not be helpful. “No police? You get looting. That’s what you get. Nobody wants that,” he said.
Chicago has now lifted its curfew.Chicago has now lifted its curfew.
“The curfew is lifted effective immediately,” wrote the city’s mayor, Lori Lightfoot, on Twitter. “I know this time in our city and our country has been difficult for us all, and I’m grateful to our residents for working together to navigate this challenging time.”“The curfew is lifted effective immediately,” wrote the city’s mayor, Lori Lightfoot, on Twitter. “I know this time in our city and our country has been difficult for us all, and I’m grateful to our residents for working together to navigate this challenging time.”
It is estimated the largest protest in Chicago on Saturday drew around 20,000 people and proceeded peacefully, encouraging the mayor to lift the curfew.It is estimated the largest protest in Chicago on Saturday drew around 20,000 people and proceeded peacefully, encouraging the mayor to lift the curfew.
Crowds are beginning to gather in Washington DC for another day of protests. Meanwhile, the city’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, said there had been no arrests during Saturday’s protests in DC.Crowds are beginning to gather in Washington DC for another day of protests. Meanwhile, the city’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, said there had been no arrests during Saturday’s protests in DC.
She also said she still believes she was correct to push back against Donald Trump’s decision to bring the national guard and additional federal officers on to the streets of the capital. “What we saw last week was basically an invasion of our city. Active-duty Army troops moved from all points around the country to threaten our autonomy,” Bowser said during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. “What you saw – and I won’t have it reduced to a spat – was how I have to defend our taxpayers.”She also said she still believes she was correct to push back against Donald Trump’s decision to bring the national guard and additional federal officers on to the streets of the capital. “What we saw last week was basically an invasion of our city. Active-duty Army troops moved from all points around the country to threaten our autonomy,” Bowser said during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. “What you saw – and I won’t have it reduced to a spat – was how I have to defend our taxpayers.”
Despite widespread calls to defund police and make funds available to other sectors such as housing and healthcare, Bowser defended the city’s decision to increase law enforcement funding by $45m under a proposed new budget. “We have invested not a penny more and certainly not a penny less than we need for safe neighborhoods,” she said.Despite widespread calls to defund police and make funds available to other sectors such as housing and healthcare, Bowser defended the city’s decision to increase law enforcement funding by $45m under a proposed new budget. “We have invested not a penny more and certainly not a penny less than we need for safe neighborhoods,” she said.
Richard Luscombe has news of Joe Biden’s plans for the week ...Richard Luscombe has news of Joe Biden’s plans for the week ...
When Donald Trump spoke to George Floyd’s brother Philonise last month, ostensibly to express his sympathies, it didn’t go well.When Donald Trump spoke to George Floyd’s brother Philonise last month, ostensibly to express his sympathies, it didn’t go well.
“He didn’t give me an opportunity to even speak,” Floyd said. “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.”“He didn’t give me an opportunity to even speak,” Floyd said. “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.”
In Houston on Monday the Floyd family will get the chance to talk face-to-face with the man challenging Trump for the White House in November, the presumptive Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden.In Houston on Monday the Floyd family will get the chance to talk face-to-face with the man challenging Trump for the White House in November, the presumptive Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden.
According to the New York Times, Biden will travel to Texas to meet the Floyd family ahead of Monday’s public memorial service, and a private funeral the following day.According to the New York Times, Biden will travel to Texas to meet the Floyd family ahead of Monday’s public memorial service, and a private funeral the following day.
Biden is not expected to attend either event, the newspaper says, because he does not want his presence to be a distraction. But as well as meeting with Floyd’s family, Biden will record a video message to play at Tuesday’s funeral.Biden is not expected to attend either event, the newspaper says, because he does not want his presence to be a distraction. But as well as meeting with Floyd’s family, Biden will record a video message to play at Tuesday’s funeral.
“He wanted to offer in-person condolences,” the Times reported, citing people “familiar with the matter.”“He wanted to offer in-person condolences,” the Times reported, citing people “familiar with the matter.”
The trip to Texas will be Biden’s first outside his home state of Delaware since the start of the pandemic lockdown, and his first public appearance since amassing enough delegates to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination on Friday.The trip to Texas will be Biden’s first outside his home state of Delaware since the start of the pandemic lockdown, and his first public appearance since amassing enough delegates to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination on Friday.
On Wednesday, the day after his brother’s funeral, Philonise Floyd plans to give congressional testimony to the House judiciary committee’s hearing on police practices and law enforcement accountability.On Wednesday, the day after his brother’s funeral, Philonise Floyd plans to give congressional testimony to the House judiciary committee’s hearing on police practices and law enforcement accountability.
Ending curfew a first step in long journey, say rights advocates.Ending curfew a first step in long journey, say rights advocates.
Civil rights advocates in New York City called Mayor Bill de Blasio’s decision to lift the 8 pm curfew “a necessary step” in a “long journey” stopping police violence, while insisting far more needed to be done for true reform.Civil rights advocates in New York City called Mayor Bill de Blasio’s decision to lift the 8 pm curfew “a necessary step” in a “long journey” stopping police violence, while insisting far more needed to be done for true reform.
The New York Civil Liberties Union, Legal Aid Society, Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center, and Center for Constitutional Rights had previously threatened to sue if de Blasio extended this curfew beyond Sunday. There have been numerous accounts of New York Police Department members using excessive force at protests following the killing of George Floyd.The New York Civil Liberties Union, Legal Aid Society, Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center, and Center for Constitutional Rights had previously threatened to sue if de Blasio extended this curfew beyond Sunday. There have been numerous accounts of New York Police Department members using excessive force at protests following the killing of George Floyd.
The statement said that they are monitoring the situation as protests continue, and are “ready to sue if the mayor reinstates the curfew or considers other measures to restrict free speech.”The statement said that they are monitoring the situation as protests continue, and are “ready to sue if the mayor reinstates the curfew or considers other measures to restrict free speech.”
They said that state lawmakers must “fully repeal” a law that shields police misconduct records from the public. They also called for “truly independent investigations” when a person dies or endures abuse during a police encounter -- not inquiries conducted by the police. They also said the New York City Council “needs to cut police funding, scale back police involvement in our schools, and divert resources toward services that will benefit the community.”They said that state lawmakers must “fully repeal” a law that shields police misconduct records from the public. They also called for “truly independent investigations” when a person dies or endures abuse during a police encounter -- not inquiries conducted by the police. They also said the New York City Council “needs to cut police funding, scale back police involvement in our schools, and divert resources toward services that will benefit the community.”
George Floyd’s body has arrived in Houston ahead of a memorial service and burial in the coming days.George Floyd’s body has arrived in Houston ahead of a memorial service and burial in the coming days.
Floyd, who was killed by police in Minnesota last week, spent most of his life in Houston where he had been a high-school football star. There will be a public viewing and memorial service in Houston on Monday before he is buried on Tuesday next to his mother, Larcenia Floyd. A memorial service for family was held on Saturday near his birthplace in North Carolina.Floyd, who was killed by police in Minnesota last week, spent most of his life in Houston where he had been a high-school football star. There will be a public viewing and memorial service in Houston on Monday before he is buried on Tuesday next to his mother, Larcenia Floyd. A memorial service for family was held on Saturday near his birthplace in North Carolina.
“At the request of the family, his entry was made private. He was led to Fort Bend Memorial Planning Center by Houston Police Department,” a statement on behalf of his family read. “Mr Floyd will be buried directly next to his mother on Tuesday.”“At the request of the family, his entry was made private. He was led to Fort Bend Memorial Planning Center by Houston Police Department,” a statement on behalf of his family read. “Mr Floyd will be buried directly next to his mother on Tuesday.”
The Episcopal bishop of Washington DC, Mariann Budde, has renewed her criticism of Donald Trump in a sermon on Sunday. Budde said she was “outraged” last week when law enforcement used pepper spray and rubber bullets to clear a crowd of peaceful protesters from near the White House so the president could attend a photo opportunity at a local church.The Episcopal bishop of Washington DC, Mariann Budde, has renewed her criticism of Donald Trump in a sermon on Sunday. Budde said she was “outraged” last week when law enforcement used pepper spray and rubber bullets to clear a crowd of peaceful protesters from near the White House so the president could attend a photo opportunity at a local church.
On Sunday, Budde contrasted Trump with Washington’s mayor, Muriel Bowser.On Sunday, Budde contrasted Trump with Washington’s mayor, Muriel Bowser.
“The president of the United States threatened to use military force against American citizens. And then proceeded to use federal officers to disperse peaceful protesters outside of the White House,” said Budde. “The African American mayor of this city stood her ground. She stood the ground for all of us. The debt to black America in this democracy continues.”“The president of the United States threatened to use military force against American citizens. And then proceeded to use federal officers to disperse peaceful protesters outside of the White House,” said Budde. “The African American mayor of this city stood her ground. She stood the ground for all of us. The debt to black America in this democracy continues.”
US attorney general Bill Barr says he does not believe there is systemic racism within US law enforcement. And yet we hear about incidents like the one below every day.US attorney general Bill Barr says he does not believe there is systemic racism within US law enforcement. And yet we hear about incidents like the one below every day.
Officials in Providence, Rhode Island, have apologised to a black firefighter after he said police drew guns on him as he sat in a car outside his fire station last week.Officials in Providence, Rhode Island, have apologised to a black firefighter after he said police drew guns on him as he sat in a car outside his fire station last week.
In an interview that has been viewed more than a million times on social media, said he was in uniform and talking to a friend when two police officers approached with their guns drawn asking if he was armed.In an interview that has been viewed more than a million times on social media, said he was in uniform and talking to a friend when two police officers approached with their guns drawn asking if he was armed.
“I was dressed in full uniform and had my radio in hand,” Paci said in an interview with WPRI-TV. “I was like, ‘I’m a firefighter, I’m PFD, I’m one of you don’t shoot,’ and they still kept approaching the vehicle with guns drawn.”“I was dressed in full uniform and had my radio in hand,” Paci said in an interview with WPRI-TV. “I was like, ‘I’m a firefighter, I’m PFD, I’m one of you don’t shoot,’ and they still kept approaching the vehicle with guns drawn.”
Providence’s mayor, Jorge Elorza, called the incident “disturbing”. Providence’s police department said it is investigating the incident.Providence’s mayor, Jorge Elorza, called the incident “disturbing”. Providence’s police department said it is investigating the incident.
“No one should have to experience something like this and we apologize on behalf of our city for the trauma it has caused,” the Democratic mayor said in a statement. “We stand with Firefighter Paci and thank him for his unwavering dedication to a city that he protects everyday through his service.”“No one should have to experience something like this and we apologize on behalf of our city for the trauma it has caused,” the Democratic mayor said in a statement. “We stand with Firefighter Paci and thank him for his unwavering dedication to a city that he protects everyday through his service.”
Paci said a Providence police sergeant visited the fire station to apologise for the incident.Paci said a Providence police sergeant visited the fire station to apologise for the incident.
Thousands of people have attended a protest in Brussels that has taken in Belgium’s colonial past. Members of the crowd chanted “murderer” as protesters climbed a statue of King Leopold II and unfurled the the flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo.Thousands of people have attended a protest in Brussels that has taken in Belgium’s colonial past. Members of the crowd chanted “murderer” as protesters climbed a statue of King Leopold II and unfurled the the flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Leopold was king of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909 and effectively ran the Congo as his own private company, exploiting the region’s natural wealth while brutalising its inhabitants.Leopold was king of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909 and effectively ran the Congo as his own private company, exploiting the region’s natural wealth while brutalising its inhabitants.
Alicia Garza, the co-founder of Black Lives Matter, has appeared on NBC’s Meet The Press to discuss calls to defund the police.Alicia Garza, the co-founder of Black Lives Matter, has appeared on NBC’s Meet The Press to discuss calls to defund the police.
She said that such calls do not mean abolishing law enforcement but rather investing money in other areas.She said that such calls do not mean abolishing law enforcement but rather investing money in other areas.
“When we talk about defunding the police, what we’re saying is invest in the resources that our communities need,” she said. “So much of policing right now is generated and directed towards quality of life issues ... But what we do need is increased funding for housing, we need increased funding for education, we need increased funding for the quality of life of communities who are over-policed and over-surveilled.“When we talk about defunding the police, what we’re saying is invest in the resources that our communities need,” she said. “So much of policing right now is generated and directed towards quality of life issues ... But what we do need is increased funding for housing, we need increased funding for education, we need increased funding for the quality of life of communities who are over-policed and over-surveilled.
“... Black Lives Matter is not just a radical idea … everyone can agree that we don’t have the things that we need to live well, and that we are using policing and law enforcement in a way that far exceeds its utility.”“... Black Lives Matter is not just a radical idea … everyone can agree that we don’t have the things that we need to live well, and that we are using policing and law enforcement in a way that far exceeds its utility.”
Philadelphia has become the latest city to lift its curfew:Philadelphia has become the latest city to lift its curfew:
The number of deaths from Covid-19 in America has reached 109,846, with confirmed cases now numbering 1,922,054, Johns Hopkins University data reveal.The number of deaths from Covid-19 in America has reached 109,846, with confirmed cases now numbering 1,922,054, Johns Hopkins University data reveal.
New York City, the center of America’s Covid-19 outbreak, has suffered at least 21,294 deaths and 211,274 cases, according to the New York Times.New York City, the center of America’s Covid-19 outbreak, has suffered at least 21,294 deaths and 211,274 cases, according to the New York Times.
As US coronavirus fatalities are nearing the grim milestone of 110,000, reopening efforts are expanding across America. Meanwhile, ongoing mass protests over the killing of George Floyd have challenged social-distancing guidelines.As US coronavirus fatalities are nearing the grim milestone of 110,000, reopening efforts are expanding across America. Meanwhile, ongoing mass protests over the killing of George Floyd have challenged social-distancing guidelines.
Questions over Covid-19 policy are perhaps most pressing in New York City, as it’s expected to start reopening on 8 June. Construction and manufacturing, in addition to retail conducted on the curbside or through in-store drop-off and pick-up, are poised to be permitted.Questions over Covid-19 policy are perhaps most pressing in New York City, as it’s expected to start reopening on 8 June. Construction and manufacturing, in addition to retail conducted on the curbside or through in-store drop-off and pick-up, are poised to be permitted.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates New York City’s subways and buses, has announced a 13-point plan. It includes mandatory face coverings, and the provision of masks, as well as intensified cleaning and disinfecting efforts. Service will be increased to enable social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be at stations throughout the system, ABC 7 reports.The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates New York City’s subways and buses, has announced a 13-point plan. It includes mandatory face coverings, and the provision of masks, as well as intensified cleaning and disinfecting efforts. Service will be increased to enable social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be at stations throughout the system, ABC 7 reports.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged every resident to get tested for Covid, especially those who attended recent demonstrations. A mobile testing program is expected to launch in the coming days.New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged every resident to get tested for Covid, especially those who attended recent demonstrations. A mobile testing program is expected to launch in the coming days.
Meanwhile, public safety agencies are bracing for PTSD and trauma-related issues amongst first responders who fought the pandemic, ramping up access to mental health services, the New York Daily News reports.Meanwhile, public safety agencies are bracing for PTSD and trauma-related issues amongst first responders who fought the pandemic, ramping up access to mental health services, the New York Daily News reports.