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Live Updates on George Floyd Protests: Congress to Debate Police Reforms Live Updates on George Floyd Protests: Congress to Debate Police Reforms
(about 1 hour later)
As National Guard troops began withdrawing from the streets of the nation’s capital on Monday, Congress prepared to start debating a sweeping reform package aimed at addressing some of the concerns at the heart of demonstrations that have swept the United States since George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis two weeks ago.As National Guard troops began withdrawing from the streets of the nation’s capital on Monday, Congress prepared to start debating a sweeping reform package aimed at addressing some of the concerns at the heart of demonstrations that have swept the United States since George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis two weeks ago.
The legislation, being pushed by Democrats in Congress, would make it easier to prosecute police misconduct and recover damages. It would also create a national registry to track police misconduct and ban certain chokeholds and other tactics, according to a draft provided to The New York Times. The legislation, proposed by House and Senate Democrats, would make it easier to prosecute police misconduct and recover damages. It would also create a national registry to track police misconduct and ban certain chokeholds and other tactics, according to a draft provided to The New York Times.
Although the bill stops short of some protesters’ demand to “defund the police,” it is likely to set off fierce partisan debate.Although the bill stops short of some protesters’ demand to “defund the police,” it is likely to set off fierce partisan debate.
Attorney General William P. Barr said on Sunday that he did not support any measures that would reduce the legal immunity police officers are given when someone dies in their custody, because it would “result certainly in police pulling back.” Attorney General William P. Barr said on Sunday that he did not support any measures that would reduce the legal immunity police officers are given when someone dies in their custody. He also said he did not think racism was a systemic problem in policing, though he acknowledged general racism in the United States.
He also said he did not think racism was a systemic problem in policing, though he acknowledged general racism in the United States. “I don’t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist,” he said on the CBS program “Face the Nation.” “I think we have to recognize that for most of our history, our institutions were explicitly racist.” “I don’t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist,” he said on the CBS program “Face the Nation.” “I think we have to recognize that for most of our history, our institutions were explicitly racist.”
Still, the sustained outcry from America’s streets is already leading to change.Still, the sustained outcry from America’s streets is already leading to change.
In Minneapolis, where Mr. Floyd died and protests first erupted, nine City Council members — a veto-proof majority — publicly promised to dismantle the police department and create a new system of public safety in a city where law enforcement has long been accused of racism.In Minneapolis, where Mr. Floyd died and protests first erupted, nine City Council members — a veto-proof majority — publicly promised to dismantle the police department and create a new system of public safety in a city where law enforcement has long been accused of racism.
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged to cut the city’s police budget and spend more on social services. He also lifted the first curfew imposed in the city since World War II as the city prepared for first phase of reopening after more than two months of lockdown because of the coronavirus. In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged to cut the city’s police budget and spend more on social services. He also lifted the first curfew imposed in the city since World War II as the city prepared for first phase of reopening on Monday, 100 days since the city’s first case of coronavirus was confirmed.
It has been a bleak few months for New Yorkers, with about 22,000 people dying in the city since the first case of the virus was detected 100 days ago. At one point, 800 people per day were dying from the virus in the city.
Although public health officials have expressed concern that mass protests will fuel a resurgence of the virus, many demonstrations across the country this past weekend had an almost jubilant feel, and protesters noted that the pandemic was not the only thing damaging people’s lives.Although public health officials have expressed concern that mass protests will fuel a resurgence of the virus, many demonstrations across the country this past weekend had an almost jubilant feel, and protesters noted that the pandemic was not the only thing damaging people’s lives.
Marcus Shadwick, 23, who attended a rally on Sunday in Spokane, Wash., said that systemic racism was its own disease.Marcus Shadwick, 23, who attended a rally on Sunday in Spokane, Wash., said that systemic racism was its own disease.
“These protests are bigger than any virus,” he said. “These protests are a cure for a virus that’s been going on for 400 years.”“These protests are bigger than any virus,” he said. “These protests are a cure for a virus that’s been going on for 400 years.”
One person was shot and another person was arrested on Sunday night in Seattle after a man with a pistol drove a vehicle through a crowd of protesters, the authorities said.
The Seattle Fire Department said a 27-year-old man had been wounded in a shooting and was taken to the hospital. He is in stable condition.
Videos from the scene show a vehicle driving at speed on a crowded street toward an intersection where protesters were gathered near a Seattle Police Department station house in the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. It echoed a deadly episode in Charlottesville, Va., nearly three years ago, when a man plowed his car into a crowd of protesters, killing one woman and injuring at least 19 other people.
After the vehicle in Seattle was brought to a stop, a gunshot appeared to go off, sending people running.
In a video posted by a photojournalist, Alex Garland, the man who was shot appeared to be treated by street medics. The victim said he had seen the car coming down the street and pursued it in an attempt to protect the crowd. The man, who was not immediately identified, said he had punched the driver before being shot, according to the police.
The Seattle Police Department said that the driver was in custody and that a gun had been recovered. The authorities said they did not believe there were other victims.
Elsewhere across the country, demonstrations have become less pitched and overwhelmingly peaceful, but protesters continued to clash with the police in Seattle.
Early on Monday, despite Mayor Jenny Durkan’s previously announcing a temporary ban on the use of tear gas, the police said they had approved its use to disperse a crowd after officers were targeted with heavy projectiles.
Among those who reported being hit by the gas was Kshama Sawant, a City Council member, who said it had been used without provocation.
“Shameful violence under Mayor Durkan,” she said.
Joseph R. Biden Jr. will travel to Houston on Monday to meet with the family of George Floyd, whose death at the hands of the police two weeks ago touched off a nationwide outcry over racial inequality and police brutality.Joseph R. Biden Jr. will travel to Houston on Monday to meet with the family of George Floyd, whose death at the hands of the police two weeks ago touched off a nationwide outcry over racial inequality and police brutality.
Mr. Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, plans to offer condolences to members of the Floyd family and record a video message for Mr. Floyd’s funeral service on Tuesday, according to a Biden aide.Mr. Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, plans to offer condolences to members of the Floyd family and record a video message for Mr. Floyd’s funeral service on Tuesday, according to a Biden aide.
He is not expected to attend the service — given his Secret Service protection, there were concerns about creating a disruption — but he wanted to offer in-person condolences, according to people familiar with the matter.He is not expected to attend the service — given his Secret Service protection, there were concerns about creating a disruption — but he wanted to offer in-person condolences, according to people familiar with the matter.
The visit to Texas, his first major trip outside his home state of Delaware and nearby Philadelphia in nearly three months, follows a succession of speeches, round tables, online gatherings and a visit to the site of demonstrations by Mr. Biden to discuss police violence and systemic racism in the country. The former vice president has spoken out about the need to heal racial divisions and has advocated a number of police reforms.The visit to Texas, his first major trip outside his home state of Delaware and nearby Philadelphia in nearly three months, follows a succession of speeches, round tables, online gatherings and a visit to the site of demonstrations by Mr. Biden to discuss police violence and systemic racism in the country. The former vice president has spoken out about the need to heal racial divisions and has advocated a number of police reforms.
He has also been critical of President Trump, seeking to highlight contrasts with his opponent in the November election over issues of race, leadership and character at a moment of extraordinary national unrest.He has also been critical of President Trump, seeking to highlight contrasts with his opponent in the November election over issues of race, leadership and character at a moment of extraordinary national unrest.
Derek Chauvin, the veteran Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee against George Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday.Derek Chauvin, the veteran Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee against George Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday.
The charges against Mr. Chauvin, who has since been fired from the police force where he worked for two decades, were recently upgraded to second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. They carry a penalty of up to 40 years in prison. The charges against Mr. Chauvin, who has since been fired from the police force where he worked for two decades, were recently upgraded to second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in prison.
The prosecution, led by Minnesota’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, will have to prove that the officer’s use of force was unreasonable, a proposition that Mr. Ellison said will be difficult.The prosecution, led by Minnesota’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, will have to prove that the officer’s use of force was unreasonable, a proposition that Mr. Ellison said will be difficult.
“Let me also note a dose of reality: Prosecuting police officers for misconduct — including homicide, murder — is very difficult,” Mr. Ellison said last week. “We’ll come under attack as we present this case to a jury or a fact finder, and we need to make sure that we are absolutely prepared. We intend to be absolutely prepared.”“Let me also note a dose of reality: Prosecuting police officers for misconduct — including homicide, murder — is very difficult,” Mr. Ellison said last week. “We’ll come under attack as we present this case to a jury or a fact finder, and we need to make sure that we are absolutely prepared. We intend to be absolutely prepared.”
It was unknown who is representing Mr. Chauvin and whether he will be required to enter a plea at the hearing. Defendants do not typically enter pleas during their first appearances in Minnesota courts. He is currently being held in the state’s most secure prison.It was unknown who is representing Mr. Chauvin and whether he will be required to enter a plea at the hearing. Defendants do not typically enter pleas during their first appearances in Minnesota courts. He is currently being held in the state’s most secure prison.
Three other officers involved in the May 25 encounter in which Mr. Floyd died — J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao — appeared in court last week. They have also been fired from the force, and a judge set their individual bail at $750,000.Three other officers involved in the May 25 encounter in which Mr. Floyd died — J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao — appeared in court last week. They have also been fired from the force, and a judge set their individual bail at $750,000.
One person was shot and another person was arrested on Sunday night in Seattle after a man with a pistol drove a vehicle through a crowd of protesters, the authorities said.
The Seattle Fire Department said a 27-year-old man had been wounded in a shooting and was taken to the hospital. He is in stable condition.
Videos from the scene show a vehicle driving at speed on a crowded street toward an intersection where protesters were gathered near a Seattle Police Department station house in the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. It echoed a deadly episode in Charlottesville, Va., nearly three years ago, when a man plowed his car into a crowd of protesters, killing one woman and injuring at least 19 other people.
After the vehicle in Seattle was brought to a stop, a gunshot appeared to go off, sending people running.
In a video posted by a photojournalist, Alex Garland, the man who was shot appeared to be treated by street medics. The victim said he had seen the car coming down the street and pursued it in an attempt to protect the crowd. The man, who was not immediately identified, said he had punched the driver before being shot, according to the police.
The Seattle Police Department said that the driver was in custody and that a gun had been recovered. The authorities said they did not believe there were other victims.
Elsewhere across the country, demonstrations have become less pitched and overwhelmingly peaceful, but protesters continued to clash with the police in Seattle.
Early on Monday, despite Mayor Jenny Durkan’s previously announcing a temporary ban on the use of tear gas, the police said they had approved its use to disperse a crowd after officers were targeted with heavy projectiles.
Among those who reported being hit by the gas was Kshama Sawant, a City Council member, who said it had been used without provocation.
“Shameful violence under Mayor Durkan,” she said.
Two weeks after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, massive gatherings for racial justice around the country and the world have achieved a scale and level of momentum not seen in decades — and they appear unlikely to run out anytime soon.
Many people filling America’s streets say the economic devastation of the coronavirus had already cleared their schedules. With jobs lost and colleges shuttered, they have nothing but time. And aggressive responses by the police at protests are only reinforcing their commitment. After police used flash grenades and a chemical spray to clear peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square in front of the White House last week, the crowd of protesters only grew.
“I’ll come out day after day after day,” said Andrew Jackson, a 25-year-old government contractor who said his own experiences of police abuse had compelled him to cut back on his work hours and join rallies in Washington.
Activists and scholars who have studied the crest and fall of other upwellings over police killings, school shootings, women’s rights and immigration detentions say that the widespread outrage over economic and racial injustices may give the new movement a greater durability.
“You’re watching injustice take place in every sector of our society,” said Wes Moore, who chronicled the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore and its aftermath in the book, “Five Days.” “Schools have been closed. Students are burdened and under debt. There’s a compounding to the pain.”
President Trump ordered National Guard troops to begin withdrawing from the nation’s capital, after a week of criticism over his threat to militarize the government’s response to nationwide protests — including criticism from within the military establishment.President Trump ordered National Guard troops to begin withdrawing from the nation’s capital, after a week of criticism over his threat to militarize the government’s response to nationwide protests — including criticism from within the military establishment.
Three former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned Mr. Trump on Sunday for sending troops to deal with domestic protests, and warned that the military risked losing credibility with the American people.Three former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned Mr. Trump on Sunday for sending troops to deal with domestic protests, and warned that the military risked losing credibility with the American people.
The announcement capped a tumultuous week in which the federal authorities violently cleared away peaceful protesters outside the White House to make way for a photo opportunity by Mr. Trump; National Guard helicopters flew low over demonstrators to scatter them; and active-duty troops were summoned to positions just outside the capital.The announcement capped a tumultuous week in which the federal authorities violently cleared away peaceful protesters outside the White House to make way for a photo opportunity by Mr. Trump; National Guard helicopters flew low over demonstrators to scatter them; and active-duty troops were summoned to positions just outside the capital.
Those actions and a threat by the president to send the military into states to control protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody prompted unusually public dissent from former military leaders, and discord in Mr. Trump’s administration.Those actions and a threat by the president to send the military into states to control protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody prompted unusually public dissent from former military leaders, and discord in Mr. Trump’s administration.
“We have a military to fight our enemies, not our own people,” retired Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, who was the top military adviser to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, told “Fox News Sunday.”“We have a military to fight our enemies, not our own people,” retired Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, who was the top military adviser to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, told “Fox News Sunday.”
He said putting troops into domestic demonstrations risked the trust the Pentagon had worked to regain with the American people after the upheaval of the Vietnam War.He said putting troops into domestic demonstrations risked the trust the Pentagon had worked to regain with the American people after the upheaval of the Vietnam War.
Passions over race and police brutality erupted in Europe over the weekend, with large Black Lives Matter protests in London and other British cities ending in clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, and the toppling of a statue of a slave trader in Bristol.Passions over race and police brutality erupted in Europe over the weekend, with large Black Lives Matter protests in London and other British cities ending in clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, and the toppling of a statue of a slave trader in Bristol.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned what he called illegal attacks on the police, writing on Twitter on Sunday night, “These demonstrations have been subverted by thuggery — and they are a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve. Those responsible will be held to account.”Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned what he called illegal attacks on the police, writing on Twitter on Sunday night, “These demonstrations have been subverted by thuggery — and they are a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve. Those responsible will be held to account.”
Mr. Johnson’s home secretary, Priti Patel, will face questioning in Parliament on Monday over the government’s response to the unrest. She said in a column in the Telegraph newspaper that the “scenes of lawlessness are completely unacceptable,” and vowed to prosecute those who attacked the police.Mr. Johnson’s home secretary, Priti Patel, will face questioning in Parliament on Monday over the government’s response to the unrest. She said in a column in the Telegraph newspaper that the “scenes of lawlessness are completely unacceptable,” and vowed to prosecute those who attacked the police.
But the demonstrations have opened a broader debate. Many in the opposition Labour Party noted that they were largely peaceful — a call for racial justice in a country where anger over police brutality mutated into violent protests in 2011. And the toppling of a long-divisive statue echoes debates in the American South, where several Confederate monuments have been removed as the protests have grown.But the demonstrations have opened a broader debate. Many in the opposition Labour Party noted that they were largely peaceful — a call for racial justice in a country where anger over police brutality mutated into violent protests in 2011. And the toppling of a long-divisive statue echoes debates in the American South, where several Confederate monuments have been removed as the protests have grown.
In Bristol, the police did not prevent a crowd from pulling down the statue of the slave trader, Edward Colston, and dumping it into Bristol Harbor. A merchant who endowed schools and hospitals in Bristol, Mr. Colston also profited from slavery, transporting at least 80,000 people from West Africa to the Caribbean. Critics have campaigned for years to take down the bronze statue, which was erected in 1895.In Bristol, the police did not prevent a crowd from pulling down the statue of the slave trader, Edward Colston, and dumping it into Bristol Harbor. A merchant who endowed schools and hospitals in Bristol, Mr. Colston also profited from slavery, transporting at least 80,000 people from West Africa to the Caribbean. Critics have campaigned for years to take down the bronze statue, which was erected in 1895.
“Whilst I am disappointed that people would damage one of our statues, I do understand why it’s happened,” Andy Bennett, a local police superintendent, told the BBC. “It’s very symbolic.”“Whilst I am disappointed that people would damage one of our statues, I do understand why it’s happened,” Andy Bennett, a local police superintendent, told the BBC. “It’s very symbolic.”
In dozens of cities, people came out to protest racism and police brutality on Sunday. Here’s what Times photographers saw:In dozens of cities, people came out to protest racism and police brutality on Sunday. Here’s what Times photographers saw:
Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City on Sunday pledged for the first time to cut the city’s police funding, after 10 nights of mass protests against police brutality and mounting demands that he overhaul a department whose tactics have drawn condemnation.Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City on Sunday pledged for the first time to cut the city’s police funding, after 10 nights of mass protests against police brutality and mounting demands that he overhaul a department whose tactics have drawn condemnation.
The mayor did not say how much funding he planned to divert to social services from the New York Police Department, whose annual $6 billion budget represents more than 6 percent of Mr. de Blasio’s proposed $90 billion budget. He said details would be worked out with the City Council before the July 1 budget deadline.The mayor did not say how much funding he planned to divert to social services from the New York Police Department, whose annual $6 billion budget represents more than 6 percent of Mr. de Blasio’s proposed $90 billion budget. He said details would be worked out with the City Council before the July 1 budget deadline.
“We’re committed to seeing a shift of funding to youth services, to social services, that will happen literally in the course of the next three weeks,” the mayor said, adding that he was “not going to go into detail, because it is subject to negotiation and we want to figure out what makes sense.”“We’re committed to seeing a shift of funding to youth services, to social services, that will happen literally in the course of the next three weeks,” the mayor said, adding that he was “not going to go into detail, because it is subject to negotiation and we want to figure out what makes sense.”
His announcement that he favored the budget cuts represented the latest turn in a fraught relationship with the city’s police force.His announcement that he favored the budget cuts represented the latest turn in a fraught relationship with the city’s police force.
Mr. de Blasio campaigned for the mayoralty in 2013 on promises of overhauling the department, which had been embroiled in controversy over its aggressive use of stop-and-frisk in communities of color. He also made his wife, who is black, and his children central to his campaign. But by the time he took office, the use of stop-and-frisk had already fallen sharply.Mr. de Blasio campaigned for the mayoralty in 2013 on promises of overhauling the department, which had been embroiled in controversy over its aggressive use of stop-and-frisk in communities of color. He also made his wife, who is black, and his children central to his campaign. But by the time he took office, the use of stop-and-frisk had already fallen sharply.
During the mayor’s first year in office, Eric Garner, a 43-year-old black man, died after a police officer put him into a chokehold on Staten Island, and Mr. Garner’s final words, “I can’t breathe,” became a rallying cry across the country.During the mayor’s first year in office, Eric Garner, a 43-year-old black man, died after a police officer put him into a chokehold on Staten Island, and Mr. Garner’s final words, “I can’t breathe,” became a rallying cry across the country.
Mr. de Blasio tried to empathize with protesters, telling reporters that he had advised his son “on how to take special care” during interactions with officers.Mr. de Blasio tried to empathize with protesters, telling reporters that he had advised his son “on how to take special care” during interactions with officers.
When two police officers were fatally shot in Brooklyn later that month while sitting in their patrol car, a police union leader said Mr. de Blasio had blood on his hands.When two police officers were fatally shot in Brooklyn later that month while sitting in their patrol car, a police union leader said Mr. de Blasio had blood on his hands.
Reporting was contributed by Mike Baker, Katie Benner, Chris Cameron, Helene Cooper, John Eligon, Nicholas Fandos, Tess Felder, Katie Glueck, Adam Goldman, Russel Goldman, Lara Jakes, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Eric Killelea, Mark Landler, Katie Rogers, Dana Rubinstein, Marc Santora, Eric Schmitt, Dionne Searcey, Ashley Southall and Farah Stockman.Reporting was contributed by Mike Baker, Katie Benner, Chris Cameron, Helene Cooper, John Eligon, Nicholas Fandos, Tess Felder, Katie Glueck, Adam Goldman, Russel Goldman, Lara Jakes, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Eric Killelea, Mark Landler, Katie Rogers, Dana Rubinstein, Marc Santora, Eric Schmitt, Dionne Searcey, Ashley Southall and Farah Stockman.