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George Floyd protests: Democrats take a knee before unveiling police reform bill – live George Floyd protests: Democrats take a knee before unveiling police reform bill – live
(32 minutes later)
Lawmakers were silent for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time an officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck, before introducing Justice in Policing actLawmakers were silent for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time an officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck, before introducing Justice in Policing act
House speaker Nancy Pelosi and congressional black caucus chairwoman Karen Bass tip-toed around a reporter’s question about the movement to defund the police.
The Justice in Policing Act focuses on police reform rather than police defunding, which some criminal justice advocates have pushed for.
Pelosi said of the calls to shift police budgets to other government programs, “We could rebalance some of our funding to address those issues more directly.”
Bass noted the bill would not provide any new money to police departments and would allocate funds for community grants to potentially reenvision what policing could look like.
House Democratic caucus chair Hakeem Jeffries argued the Justice in Policing Act would help to crack down on police brutality and hold officers accountable.
“Unless there is accountability, there will never be change,” Jeffries said. “Unless there’s change, brutality will continue, and we’ll be trapped in a vicious cycle of anguish & despair.”
The New York Democrat added, “All we ever wanted is to be treated equally. Not better, not worse. Equally. Why has that been so difficult to achieve?”
As congressional Democrats held a press conference on their police reform bill, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy sent a tweet in support of the nation’s police officers.As congressional Democrats held a press conference on their police reform bill, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy sent a tweet in support of the nation’s police officers.
“To the police officers across the country who put on the uniform every day and uphold their oath—THANK YOU,” McCarthy said in the tweet. “Democrats want to defund you, but Republicans will never turn our backs on you.”“To the police officers across the country who put on the uniform every day and uphold their oath—THANK YOU,” McCarthy said in the tweet. “Democrats want to defund you, but Republicans will never turn our backs on you.”
The Justice in Policing Act being introduced by Democratic lawmakers focuses on reforming policing, by banning chokeholds and incentivizing racial bias trainings, not defunding departments.The Justice in Policing Act being introduced by Democratic lawmakers focuses on reforming policing, by banning chokeholds and incentivizing racial bias trainings, not defunding departments.
Senator Cory Booker praised the details of the Justice in Policing Act, which he said would help hold police officers accountable.Senator Cory Booker praised the details of the Justice in Policing Act, which he said would help hold police officers accountable.
“Empathy and sympathy and words of caring for those who have died and suffered are necessary, but it is not enough,” Booker, who is African American, said. “We must change laws and systems of accountability.”“Empathy and sympathy and words of caring for those who have died and suffered are necessary, but it is not enough,” Booker, who is African American, said. “We must change laws and systems of accountability.”
Senator Kamala Harris, the only other African American Democrat in the Senate, added, “We’re here because black Americans want to stop being killed.”Senator Kamala Harris, the only other African American Democrat in the Senate, added, “We’re here because black Americans want to stop being killed.”
Harris emphasized the country still had a long way to go on racial justice, noting the Senate could not approve an anti-lynching bill just last week after Republican Rand Paul blocked its passage.Harris emphasized the country still had a long way to go on racial justice, noting the Senate could not approve an anti-lynching bill just last week after Republican Rand Paul blocked its passage.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer called on majority leader Mitch McConnell to put the Justice in Policing Act on the floor before July.Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer called on majority leader Mitch McConnell to put the Justice in Policing Act on the floor before July.
The bill will likely pass the Democratic-controlled House, but McConnell has previously held up key pieces of legislation passed by House Democrats.The bill will likely pass the Democratic-controlled House, but McConnell has previously held up key pieces of legislation passed by House Democrats.
Schumer pledged that Senate Democrats would “fight like hell” to get a vote on the police reform bill, but the Democratic leader has few options when it comes to pressuring McConnell to take up the legislation.Schumer pledged that Senate Democrats would “fight like hell” to get a vote on the police reform bill, but the Democratic leader has few options when it comes to pressuring McConnell to take up the legislation.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi reflected on the moment of silence that lawmakers observed for George Floyd in Emancipation Hall this morning.House speaker Nancy Pelosi reflected on the moment of silence that lawmakers observed for George Floyd in Emancipation Hall this morning.
Just before unveiling the Justice in Policing Act, congressional Democrats kneeled for eight minutes and 46 seconds, in observation of the lenght of time that a police officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck.Just before unveiling the Justice in Policing Act, congressional Democrats kneeled for eight minutes and 46 seconds, in observation of the lenght of time that a police officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck.
“My members will attest, it is a very long time,” Pelosi said.“My members will attest, it is a very long time,” Pelosi said.
The Democratic speaker said “the martyrdom of George Floyd” has sparked nationwide protests, which has now inspired this piece of legislation.The Democratic speaker said “the martyrdom of George Floyd” has sparked nationwide protests, which has now inspired this piece of legislation.
“This moment of national anguish is being transformed into a movement of national action,” Pelosi said.“This moment of national anguish is being transformed into a movement of national action,” Pelosi said.
After reading out the names of some of the people who have been killed in police custody, Pelosi said, “We cannot settle for anything less than transformative, structural change.”After reading out the names of some of the people who have been killed in police custody, Pelosi said, “We cannot settle for anything less than transformative, structural change.”
Congressional Democrats are now holding a press conference to introduce their sweeping police reform bill in response to the recent killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.Congressional Democrats are now holding a press conference to introduce their sweeping police reform bill in response to the recent killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Karen Bass, the chairwoman of the congressional black caucus, said the Justice in Policing Act would help prevent future deaths in police custody, and she applauded the protests against police brutality in recent weeks.Karen Bass, the chairwoman of the congressional black caucus, said the Justice in Policing Act would help prevent future deaths in police custody, and she applauded the protests against police brutality in recent weeks.
“The world is witnessing the birth of a new movement in our country,” Bass said.“The world is witnessing the birth of a new movement in our country,” Bass said.
Democratic lawmakers held a moment of silence on Capitol Hill in honor of George Floyd, minutes before they are exepcted to reveal a bill aimed at cracking down on police brutality.Democratic lawmakers held a moment of silence on Capitol Hill in honor of George Floyd, minutes before they are exepcted to reveal a bill aimed at cracking down on police brutality.
Congressional Democrats kneeled in Emancipation Hall for eight minutes and 46 seconds to recognize the length of time that a police officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck.Congressional Democrats kneeled in Emancipation Hall for eight minutes and 46 seconds to recognize the length of time that a police officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck.
The number of people fatally shot by police each year has been frighteningly stable in recent years, despite recurring protests against police brutality that have spread across the country in recent weeks, since the killing of George Floyd.The number of people fatally shot by police each year has been frighteningly stable in recent years, despite recurring protests against police brutality that have spread across the country in recent weeks, since the killing of George Floyd.
According to the Washington Post’s database on police shootings, officers have shot and killed nearly 1,000 people every year since 2015.According to the Washington Post’s database on police shootings, officers have shot and killed nearly 1,000 people every year since 2015.
The Post reports:The Post reports:
The criminal justice activists who have pushed to defund police departments have pointed to the stable statistics to argue that reforms like body cameras and racial bias training will not be enough to crack down on police brutality.The criminal justice activists who have pushed to defund police departments have pointed to the stable statistics to argue that reforms like body cameras and racial bias training will not be enough to crack down on police brutality.
Congressional Democrats are expected to release their bill aimed at cracking down on police brutality today, two weeks after George Floyd was killed while in police custody.Congressional Democrats are expected to release their bill aimed at cracking down on police brutality today, two weeks after George Floyd was killed while in police custody.
The bill is expected to include a national ban on police chokeholds and the creation of a national police misconduct registry “to prevent problem officers from changing jurisdictions to avoid accountability,” according to CNN.The bill is expected to include a national ban on police chokeholds and the creation of a national police misconduct registry “to prevent problem officers from changing jurisdictions to avoid accountability,” according to CNN.
The legislation will also incentivize racial bias training for officers and include the anti-lynching measure that has stalled in the Senate, which sparked a heated argument on the Senate floor last week after Republican Rand Paul blocked the proposal.The legislation will also incentivize racial bias training for officers and include the anti-lynching measure that has stalled in the Senate, which sparked a heated argument on the Senate floor last week after Republican Rand Paul blocked the proposal.
The Democratic legislation will almost certanly attract criticism from criminal justice activists, some of whom have argued that such reforms do not go far enough to address police brutality and have thus pushed to defund departments instead.The Democratic legislation will almost certanly attract criticism from criminal justice activists, some of whom have argued that such reforms do not go far enough to address police brutality and have thus pushed to defund departments instead.
New York will start its reopening process today, nearly three months after the iconic city came to a standstill because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hundreds of thousands of workers will return to work today as the city enters “phase one” of the reopening. While construction sites and retail stores can now resume operations with social distancing restrictions in place, businesses like hair salons and gyms will remain shuttered.
New York lost more people to coronavirus than any other US city, with more than 21,000 of the city’s residents dying in the past few months.
This morning’s front-page story of the New York Times captures the losses that have preceded this moment and the challenges that still lie ahead:
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Oliver Holmes.
As the country grapples with the question of whether to defund police departments after the killing of George Floyd, the president is busy griping about his polling numbers.
“CNN Polls are as Fake as their Reporting,” Trump wrote in a tweet. “Same numbers, and worse, against Crooked Hillary. The Dems would destroy America!”
The tweet comes after a CNN poll found Trump to be 14 points down against Joe Biden, with his approval rating sliding 7 points to 38%. That’s his worst approval rating in the CNN poll since January 2019, and, at this point in a first term, it puts Trump on par with former presidents Jimmy Carter and George HW Bush, who both went on to lose reelection.
The poll comes as the president’s reelection campaign has reportedly started worrying about his standing in states like Ohio and Iowa, which would be must-win states in order to have any chance at a second term.
Thank you for all your emails and messages.
I’m going to sign off now and hand over to my US-based colleague and live news pro, Joan E Greve.
There’s quite a bit of chatter online about Republican Senator Mitt Romney, who was seen among roughly 1,000 Black Lives Matter demonstrators on Sunday marching to the White House.
Renée Graham, a columnist for the Boston Globe, considers it a stunt:
Eugene Scott, a Washington Post writer covering identity politics, argues that the amount of credit Romney is getting is unwarranted:
Derek Chauvin, the fired Minneapolis Police Department officer who pressed his knee on the neck of George Floyd for nearly nine minutes, will make his first appearance in court later today, US media is reporting.
Chauvin, 44, is scheduled to appear at the Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis at 12.45pm Central time (roughly six hours from now). He faces charges of third-degree murder, second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
I’ve been contacted by a reader who said they grew up near the city of Vidor, in east Texas. He wanted to alert me to a Black Lives Matter protest there on Saturday that consisted of just around 150 people. But it is significant, the reader said, because of Vidor’s reputation.
Here’s an excerpt from the Texas Monthly magazine, which covered the protest:
The demonstration “may not seem like much”, wrote the reader in an email, “but when they gather in Vidor, Texas, that’s a big deal.”
Big news from the weekend is certainly that the Minneapolis city council pledged to disband the police department. The embattled agency responsible for George Floyd’s death could now be replaced by an alternative model of community-led safety.
The nine councilmembers who announced their support represent a supermajority on the twelve-person council, meaning Mayor Jacob Frey, who opposes the move, could not override it.
Frey was heckled by a crowd of protesters on Saturday when he ruled out defunding the police department.
Here’s a video of Frey walking through the crowds as they shout: “Go home!”
Note: this post was amended to make clear a vote had not yet taken place.
George Floyd’s body has been flown to his hometown of Houston, Texas, where mourners will be able to view his casket on Monday.
A six-hour viewing will be held at The Fountain of Praise church in southwest Houston, the final stop of a series of memorials across the country. Visitors in Houston will be required to wear a mask and gloves, as per coronavirus restrictions.
Floyd’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, where he will be buried next to his mother, Larcenia Floyd.
Previous memorials have taken place in Raeford, North Carolina, near where Floyd was born, and Minneapolis, where he lived at the end of his life and was killed. Mourners there observed 8 minutes 46 seconds of silence - the period that Floyd was filmed pinned under a police officer’s knee.
Three Guardian writers have just published features that take a deeper look at the protest movement:
Lois Beckett, who covers gun violence and the far right in the US, has been interviewing family members of black Americans who were killed by police or white vigilantes for whom the past week has been painfully familiar.
But they also see signs of change, she writes:
Adam Gabbatt, who writes for us from New York, has also been looking at the potential impact of the movement, particularly around whether it could energize young voters in presidential, state and local elections.
There is precedent for real change inspired by protests, he writes.
Finally, Michael Sainato, a contributor who covers civil rights issues, has written about the large numbers of protesters, more than 10,000, who have been arrested around the US.
Many were non-violent:
Read Sainato’s full story here:
Hello…
…and welcome to a fresh US politics live blog as we enter a new day on Monday across the US. The sun has risen in New York while it is still the early hours of the morning along the West Coast.
I’m Oliver Holmes, and I’ll be with you for the next couple of hours. You can reach me via Twitter and also on email: oliver.holmes [@] theguardian.com
Please do send anything you think is worth including on our blog.
For those who have been sleeping or offline, here is an update with the main developments:
The Minneapolis city council pledged to abolish the city’s police department and replace it with a new system of public safety. The historic move has been hailed as the first concrete victory in the mounting nationwide movement in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd.
New York City’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, pledged to cut police department funding. The money will be given to Youth and Social Services. The mayor also lifted a contentious citywide curfew.
A protester was shot in Seattle, Washington. A man drove a car into a demonstration and shot a demonstrator. Police said officers have a man in custody.
The US soccer federation is considering repealing its ban on players kneeling during the national anthem, ESPN has reported.