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Thousands continue protesting across US as Minneapolis vows to dismantle police department – live George Floyd killing: thousands continue protesting across US as Minneapolis vows to dismantle police department – 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
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday pledged to cut the police department’s funding, shifting it instead to social services.
In a tweet from the City of New York shared by the mayor, de Blasio outlines policing reforms, including a plan to “Shift funding from NYPD to to Youth and Social Services.”
“The amount will be finalized with the city council during the budget process,” the statement says:
As always, please do get in touch with questions, comments, news and tips from your part of the US on twitter @helenrsullivan or via email: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com.
Meanwhile British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted on Sunday that the anti-racism protests in the UK were “subverted by thuggery”, after some protestors clashed with police in London:
Fans of the popular South Korean boy band BTS matched its $1 million donation to Black Lives Matter (BLM) in support of US protests against police brutality, an organisation that runs fundraisers for the fans said on Monday.
The K-pop group’s music label, Big Hit Entertainment, on Sunday told Reuters that BTS had donated $1 million to BLM in early June. The seven-member BTS wrote on its Twitter account on Thursday that they are against racism and violence with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter.
“We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.”The hashtag went viral among the group’s fans and started another wave of donations with the hashtag #MatchAMillion.The movement encouraged BTS’ fan base, known as ARMY, an acronym for Adorable Representative MC for Youth, to match the group’s $1 million donation.The campaign had raised $1,007,518 as of Monday at 9:47 a.m. (0047 GMT), and will continue indefinitely, the organisers said.
The US Soccer Federation is considering repealing its ban on players kneeling during the national anthem, ESPN reports:The US Soccer Federation is considering repealing its ban on players kneeling during the national anthem, ESPN reports:
“Never in my lifetime has the case of such visible injustice moved white and black people, moved them as human beings,” poet and novelist Ben Okri writes for the Guardian:“Never in my lifetime has the case of such visible injustice moved white and black people, moved them as human beings,” poet and novelist Ben Okri writes for the Guardian:
As #BlackLivesMatter and George Floyd protests in the US inspire people around the world to demonstrate against racism, statues commemorating figures known for their brutality against black people are coming under fire.As #BlackLivesMatter and George Floyd protests in the US inspire people around the world to demonstrate against racism, statues commemorating figures known for their brutality against black people are coming under fire.
On Sunday, as my colleague Martin Farrer writes, “protesters in Bristol in the UK toppled a statue to the 17th century slave trader Edward Colston that has long been the focus of anger in the city. Demonstrators gathered at the memorial on Sunday before attaching ropes to it, hauling it down and then pushing it into the docks. The historian David Olusoga compared it to the toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Iraq but home secretary, Priti Patel, called the incident ‘disgraceful’.”On Sunday, as my colleague Martin Farrer writes, “protesters in Bristol in the UK toppled a statue to the 17th century slave trader Edward Colston that has long been the focus of anger in the city. Demonstrators gathered at the memorial on Sunday before attaching ropes to it, hauling it down and then pushing it into the docks. The historian David Olusoga compared it to the toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Iraq but home secretary, Priti Patel, called the incident ‘disgraceful’.”
Meanwhile in Brussels, Belgium, Euronews journalist Jack Parrock filmed as a group of men climbed onto a statue of King Leopold II and waved the Congolese flag, while chanting “murderer” and “reparations”.Meanwhile in Brussels, Belgium, Euronews journalist Jack Parrock filmed as a group of men climbed onto a statue of King Leopold II and waved the Congolese flag, while chanting “murderer” and “reparations”.
Some estimates put the toll of people who died between 1885 and 1908 in the Congo Free State – an area that today lies within the Democratic Republic of Congo – which was privately owned and controlled by the Belgian king, as high as ten million.Some estimates put the toll of people who died between 1885 and 1908 in the Congo Free State – an area that today lies within the Democratic Republic of Congo – which was privately owned and controlled by the Belgian king, as high as ten million.
Artists on Sunday painted the words End Racism Now on a downtown street in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Raleigh News & Observer reports.Artists on Sunday painted the words End Racism Now on a downtown street in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Raleigh News & Observer reports.
The message was added days after the mayor of Washington, DC., had the words Black Lives Matter painted on a street leading to the White House amid days of demonstrations in the nations capital and all over the country in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.Floyd was born in North Carolina, where memorial service for family was held on Saturday.The message was added days after the mayor of Washington, DC., had the words Black Lives Matter painted on a street leading to the White House amid days of demonstrations in the nations capital and all over the country in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.Floyd was born in North Carolina, where memorial service for family was held on Saturday.
Charman Driver, former chair of the Contemporary Art Museum on Martin Street, where the painting is located, called it a very painful totem. The street leads to Confederate monuments on State Capitol grounds, which have been spotlighted as offensive during protests, according to the AP. The painting was applied Sunday morning when a city engineer met the artists and brought barricades to block off the street.“We did it. And it’s wonderful. And we feel really good about it. Our voices are being heard, but it’s not enough,” Driver said.Charman Driver, former chair of the Contemporary Art Museum on Martin Street, where the painting is located, called it a very painful totem. The street leads to Confederate monuments on State Capitol grounds, which have been spotlighted as offensive during protests, according to the AP. The painting was applied Sunday morning when a city engineer met the artists and brought barricades to block off the street.“We did it. And it’s wonderful. And we feel really good about it. Our voices are being heard, but it’s not enough,” Driver said.
Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
Meanwhile, Trump has “liked” a tweet about the HBO show ‘Insecure’ on Twitter. It is unclear whether this was on purpose, but the unlikely pairing (Insecure is a show about a young black woman living in LA) is causing a stir online.Meanwhile, Trump has “liked” a tweet about the HBO show ‘Insecure’ on Twitter. It is unclear whether this was on purpose, but the unlikely pairing (Insecure is a show about a young black woman living in LA) is causing a stir online.
US President Donald Trump has tweeted about statements made by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday last week regarding racism at the NFL.US President Donald Trump has tweeted about statements made by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday last week regarding racism at the NFL.
Goodell, speaking in a video, said the league made mistakes in not listening to players in a video on Friday denouncing racism in the United States amid widespread protests over police brutality against black people.Goodell, speaking in a video, said the league made mistakes in not listening to players in a video on Friday denouncing racism in the United States amid widespread protests over police brutality against black people.
“We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest,” he said. “We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter.”“We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest,” he said. “We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter.”
Trump tweeted around an hour ago that it might be possible that Goodell is “intimating that it would now be OK for the players to KNEEL or not to stand, for the National Anthem, thereby disrespecting our Country & out flag.”Trump tweeted around an hour ago that it might be possible that Goodell is “intimating that it would now be OK for the players to KNEEL or not to stand, for the National Anthem, thereby disrespecting our Country & out flag.”
Goodell did not mention Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback whose decision to kneel during the national anthem during a preseason game in August 2016 kick-started the protest movement.Goodell did not mention Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback whose decision to kneel during the national anthem during a preseason game in August 2016 kick-started the protest movement.
He did not mention the US flag or national anthem, either.He did not mention the US flag or national anthem, either.
More on Goodell’s statements here:More on Goodell’s statements here:
Here is the full report on Minneapolis lawmakers vowing to disband the police department:Here is the full report on Minneapolis lawmakers vowing to disband the police department:
Speaking at a community rally on Sunday, a veto-proof majority of councilmembers declared their intent to “dismantle” and “abolish” the embattled police agency responsible for George Floyd’s death – and build an alternative model of community-led safety. The decision is a direct response to the massive protests that have taken over American cities in the last two weeks, and is a major victory for abolitionist activists who have long fought to disband police and prisons.Speaking at a community rally on Sunday, a veto-proof majority of councilmembers declared their intent to “dismantle” and “abolish” the embattled police agency responsible for George Floyd’s death – and build an alternative model of community-led safety. The decision is a direct response to the massive protests that have taken over American cities in the last two weeks, and is a major victory for abolitionist activists who have long fought to disband police and prisons.
“In Minneapolis and in cities across the US, it is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe,” said Lisa Bender, the Minneapolis city council president, at the event.“In Minneapolis and in cities across the US, it is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe,” said Lisa Bender, the Minneapolis city council president, at the event.
Nine councilmembers announced their support and represent a supermajority on the twelve-person council, meaning the mayor, who earlier this weekend opposed disbanding the department, cannot override them. The remaining three councilmembers are broadly supportive of the effort as well, but weren’t ready to sign on, activists said. While the mayor has oversight over the police, the city council has authority over the budget and policy, and could work to dismantle the department through cuts and ordinances.Nine councilmembers announced their support and represent a supermajority on the twelve-person council, meaning the mayor, who earlier this weekend opposed disbanding the department, cannot override them. The remaining three councilmembers are broadly supportive of the effort as well, but weren’t ready to sign on, activists said. While the mayor has oversight over the police, the city council has authority over the budget and policy, and could work to dismantle the department through cuts and ordinances.
More footage of today’s protests in Los Angeles:
The decorations on the White House fence, which protestors are turning into a makeshift memorial, are growing:
In happier news, Sunday in the US saw marching taken to new levels of speed, grace and cool.
In LA, the Compton Cowboys, who describe themselves as “A collective of lifelong friends on a mission to uplift their community through horseback and farming lifestyle, all the while highlighting the rich legacy of African-Americans in equine and western heritage,” lead a “peace ride” to the Martin Luther King memorial:
In Philadelphia it was a group of skateboarders:
Photographer Lindsey Wasson has captured this photo of the moment the shooter in Seattle emerged from his car, as the 26-year-old man he shot – who later identified himself as Daniel – is treated by paramedics on the ground nearby:
Hi, Helen Sullivan with you now.
As always, it would be great to hear from you – please do get in touch with questions, comments, news and tips from your part of the US on twitter @helenrsullivan or via email: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com.
That’s it from me today. Handing over to the incredible Helen Sullivan. Stay safe, everyone.
A protester was shot in the arm in Seattle, Washington trying to protect his fellow demonstrators from a man who had driven his car into the crowd and came out with a gun.
Thousands marched in Phoenix, Arizona, where protesters rally not just for George Floyd, but for Dion Johnson, a 28-year-old black man who was shot and killed by an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer.
In Kauai, hundreds gathered to denounce police violence and racism in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Protesters in Miami, Florida briefly took over a section of an interstate ahead of the 9pm curfew.
A man drove a car into a demonstration and shot a protester in Seattle, Washington.
It’s unclear exactly what happened, but police said officers have a man in custody who drove a car into a crowd at 11th avenue and Pine street, and that officers recovered a gun.
Video shows a man driving a black sedan into the gathering, and catches a loud bang before the man exits the vehicle, gun in hand. The man then walks into the crowd with the gun at his side.
Photographer Alex Garland got video of the victim as the street medics who treated him for a gunshot wound in his arm helped him down the street.
“I punched him in the face,” said the man, who identified himself as Daniel. “I heard the gunshot go off, in my arm. I moved right in time. But my whole thing was to protect those people, my whole thing was to protect those people down there.”
Thousands marched in Portland, Oregon, where law enforcement has come under scrutiny for responding to hostility from crowds with tear gas and stun grenades.
Police used “tear gas, stun grenades and a device that emits ear-piercing sounds” in nine of the 11 consecutive days of protest, according to the Oregonian.
Law enforcement has justified this use of force by tweeting items allegedly thrown at officers during the protests.
Protesters in Miami, Florida briefly took over part of Interstate 95 ahead of the 9 pm curfew:
Police allowed protesters to march along the interstate:
Guardian contributor Jon Letman has this dispatch from Kauai, where demonstrators have turned out in a rural part of Hawaii over the weekend:
Hundreds gathered on Kauai on Saturday to express solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Waving placards and chanting slogans denouncing police violence and racism, demonstrators reflected the diversity of Hawaii’s mostly Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander population.
Boisterous, but peaceful, protesters shouted “I can’t breathe!” as passing cars honked in support. Overhead, Hawaii’s state flag flew upside-down, signaling distress.
The only police present were six officers standing to the side on the steps of the county building as Kauai chief of police Todd Raybuck walked through the crowd talking with demonstrators.
Earlier in the morning, Raybuck had spoken at a “paddle-out” on Kauai’s north shore where hundreds had paddled surfboards into Hanalei Bay in a show of unity.
Although African Americans make up less than one percent of Kauai’s population, black demonstrators repeatedly described Kauai as “the best place they’d ever lived,” an island where community, respect, and tolerance were the norm.
One woman named Tsige Gesit said the Hawaiian spirit of aloha made Kauai different.
Native Hawaiian demonstrator, Peleke Flores, brought his small children to witness how kapu aloha (a philosophy and practice of nonviolent engagement) could be a positive force for change.
Raymond Catania, a local labor rights activist, was impassioned. “The Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) suffer with their lands taken away. Filipino and Micronesian workers are on the bottom… American capitalism does not work,” Catania said. “This is the beginning of the end of their system. It’s going take a while, but people are wising up.”