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George Floyd: large procession of mourners expected to follow private Texas funeral – live George Floyd: large procession of mourners expected to follow private Texas funeral – live
(32 minutes later)
Family of George Floyd holds memorial in Houston, to conclude with a funeral procession to his final resting placeFamily of George Floyd holds memorial in Houston, to conclude with a funeral procession to his final resting place
Trump was reportedly on the brink of firing Mark Esper last week, when the defense secretary voiced opposition to the president’s idea of sending active-duty troops to states with George Floyd protests.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany signaled Esper’s job might be in trouble shortly after the cabinet secretary said he was against sending active-duty troops to the protests.
“As of right now, Secretary Esper is still Secretary Esper, and should the president lose faith, we will all learn about that in the future,” McEnany told reporters on Wednesday.
The Guardian’s Vivan Ho reports from Houston, Texas:
Supporters of George Floyd stood outside the church in the punishing Houston humidity, waiting for the procession to Floyd’s final resting place.
Many in the crowd were friends of the family. Shereka Burton‘s mother grew up in the third ward, just like Floyd. The 32-year-old asked for time to think over the words she wished to express, unwilling to let anger and frustration take over the moment.“We prayed for unity for so long that we did not know how it would come,” she said. “If it took this, I hope that we can all be at once in unity, in peace, on our knees in prayer, and I pray for strength for the family and the entire nation.”Her mentor, Dr Edna L Kingsley, smiled at Burton’s words. Kingsley said she feels hope in this moment. “A change is going to come,” she said.“George Floyd’s life was not in vain,” Kingsley added. “It was an unfortunate situation, but a knee has been on our necks for a long time. However if we give up the fight, that knee will continue to be on our neck. So we’re going to continue to fight this good fight, and we will prevail.”
Joe Biden expressed support for the Buffalo protester who was shoved to the ground by police officers, after Trump suggested the 75-year-old man might be an Antifa plant.Joe Biden expressed support for the Buffalo protester who was shoved to the ground by police officers, after Trump suggested the 75-year-old man might be an Antifa plant.
“My Dad used to say there’s no greater sin than the abuse of power,” Biden said in a tweet. “Whether it’s an officer bloodying a peaceful protester or a President defending him with a conspiracy theory he saw on TV.”“My Dad used to say there’s no greater sin than the abuse of power,” Biden said in a tweet. “Whether it’s an officer bloodying a peaceful protester or a President defending him with a conspiracy theory he saw on TV.”
Noting that he and the protester, Martin Gugino, were both Catholic, Biden added, “Our faith says that we can’t accept either.”Noting that he and the protester, Martin Gugino, were both Catholic, Biden added, “Our faith says that we can’t accept either.”
Gugino was hospitalized after being shoved while protesting the police killing of George Floyd, and the two officers involved have now been charged with assault.Gugino was hospitalized after being shoved while protesting the police killing of George Floyd, and the two officers involved have now been charged with assault.
Some Republican lawmakers are offering cautious words of criticism for Trump’s tweet about the Buffalo protester, who was shoved to the ground by police officers and has been hospitalized.Some Republican lawmakers are offering cautious words of criticism for Trump’s tweet about the Buffalo protester, who was shoved to the ground by police officers and has been hospitalized.
The president peddled a baseless claim that the 75-year-old protester was an Antifa plant, which was first suggested in a report from the far-right One America News Network.The president peddled a baseless claim that the 75-year-old protester was an Antifa plant, which was first suggested in a report from the far-right One America News Network.
“It’s a serious accusation which should only be made with facts and evidence, and I haven’t seen any yet,” Senate majority whip John Thune said of the tweet.“It’s a serious accusation which should only be made with facts and evidence, and I haven’t seen any yet,” Senate majority whip John Thune said of the tweet.
Senator Mitt Romney, who participated in a protest against police brutality this weekend said, “I saw the tweet. It was a shocking thing to say, and I won’t dignify it with any further comment.”Senator Mitt Romney, who participated in a protest against police brutality this weekend said, “I saw the tweet. It was a shocking thing to say, and I won’t dignify it with any further comment.”
However, some senators, such as Cory Gardner, claimed they had not seen the tweet and refused to read it when congressional reporters presented them with a printed version of it.However, some senators, such as Cory Gardner, claimed they had not seen the tweet and refused to read it when congressional reporters presented them with a printed version of it.
Joe Biden delivered remarks at George Floyd’s memorial service in Houston, appearing via livestream a day after meeting with Floyd’s family.Joe Biden delivered remarks at George Floyd’s memorial service in Houston, appearing via livestream a day after meeting with Floyd’s family.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, whose son Beau died of brain cancer five years ago, said he connected with the family’s grief.The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, whose son Beau died of brain cancer five years ago, said he connected with the family’s grief.
“As I’ve said to you privately, we know. We know you will never feel the same again,” Biden said to the Floyd family, going on to describe “the burden” of having to grieve in public.“As I’ve said to you privately, we know. We know you will never feel the same again,” Biden said to the Floyd family, going on to describe “the burden” of having to grieve in public.
The former vice president then directly addressed Floyd’s daughter, Gianna. “Little Gianna — as I said to you when I saw you yesterday, you are so brave. Daddy is looking down and he is so proud of you,” Biden said.The former vice president then directly addressed Floyd’s daughter, Gianna. “Little Gianna — as I said to you when I saw you yesterday, you are so brave. Daddy is looking down and he is so proud of you,” Biden said.
The presidential candidate concluded his remarks with a call for change. “Today, now is the time, the purpose, the season to listen and heal,” Biden said. “Now is the time for racial justice. That’s the answer we must give to our children when they ask why. Because when there is justice for George Floyd, we will truly be on our way to racial justice in America.The presidential candidate concluded his remarks with a call for change. “Today, now is the time, the purpose, the season to listen and heal,” Biden said. “Now is the time for racial justice. That’s the answer we must give to our children when they ask why. Because when there is justice for George Floyd, we will truly be on our way to racial justice in America.
“And then, as you said, Gianna, your Daddy will have ‘changed the world.’”“And then, as you said, Gianna, your Daddy will have ‘changed the world.’”
A judge in Virginia has put a block on the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the state capital Richmond’s historic Monument Avenue.A judge in Virginia has put a block on the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the state capital Richmond’s historic Monument Avenue.
Virginia governor Ralph Northam had announced plans for the divisive statue to be removed. But the court granted a 10-day injunction after a lawsuit was filed.Virginia governor Ralph Northam had announced plans for the divisive statue to be removed. But the court granted a 10-day injunction after a lawsuit was filed.
It was in Charlottesville, Virginia, that neo-nazi, white supremacist and related far-right crowds paraded in 2017 for a “Unite the Right” rally, tied to previous demonstrations aimed at preserving another statue of Lee in the college town. The August rally descended into chaos and violence when counter-protesters arrived and later turned fatal when a man drove a car into anti-rightist marchers.It was in Charlottesville, Virginia, that neo-nazi, white supremacist and related far-right crowds paraded in 2017 for a “Unite the Right” rally, tied to previous demonstrations aimed at preserving another statue of Lee in the college town. The August rally descended into chaos and violence when counter-protesters arrived and later turned fatal when a man drove a car into anti-rightist marchers.
In Richmond, a 1890 deed was cited in court that prevents the statue there from being removed, including an agreement in which the state agrees to “faithfully guard and affectionately protect it.”In Richmond, a 1890 deed was cited in court that prevents the statue there from being removed, including an agreement in which the state agrees to “faithfully guard and affectionately protect it.”
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
George Floyd’s final memorial service is underway in Houston, Texas. After the private service, a large procession of mourners is expected to accompany Floyd’s casket to his final resting place alongside his mother. Floyd cried out for his mother while a police officer kept a knee on his neck.George Floyd’s final memorial service is underway in Houston, Texas. After the private service, a large procession of mourners is expected to accompany Floyd’s casket to his final resting place alongside his mother. Floyd cried out for his mother while a police officer kept a knee on his neck.
Trump was severely criticized for peddling the baseless claim that a Buffalo protester shoved by police officers was an Antifa plant. The 75-year-old man was hospitalized after the incident, and the two police officers involved have been charged with assault.Trump was severely criticized for peddling the baseless claim that a Buffalo protester shoved by police officers was an Antifa plant. The 75-year-old man was hospitalized after the incident, and the two police officers involved have been charged with assault.
Trump said he may hold a campaign rally as soon as “next week.” The rallies have been halted due to the still-raging coronavirus pandemic, but some of the president’s allies have suggested the Floyd protests, which have attracted thousands of people, could shield the rallies from potential criticism.Trump said he may hold a campaign rally as soon as “next week.” The rallies have been halted due to the still-raging coronavirus pandemic, but some of the president’s allies have suggested the Floyd protests, which have attracted thousands of people, could shield the rallies from potential criticism.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports from Houston, Texas:The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports from Houston, Texas:
American flags lined the road leading up to the Fountain of Praise church in Houston, where George Floyd’s final funeral service was being held Tuesday.American flags lined the road leading up to the Fountain of Praise church in Houston, where George Floyd’s final funeral service was being held Tuesday.
The funeral was for family and friends only, but dozens still gathered outside the church to pay their respects to Floyd, wearing shirts reading “I can’t breathe” and “black lives matter”.The funeral was for family and friends only, but dozens still gathered outside the church to pay their respects to Floyd, wearing shirts reading “I can’t breathe” and “black lives matter”.
Tamecia Dogbe, 41, drove two and a half hours from Austin with her sister and 12-year-old niece to stand outside the church in the sweltering humidity.Tamecia Dogbe, 41, drove two and a half hours from Austin with her sister and 12-year-old niece to stand outside the church in the sweltering humidity.
“It feels like a part of history, something I want my niece to witness,” she said. “Ten years from now, she might be able to see this in a history book.” She can only pray that in 10 years, these sort of funerals -- services for victims of police killings -- will be a thing of the past as well.“It feels like a part of history, something I want my niece to witness,” she said. “Ten years from now, she might be able to see this in a history book.” She can only pray that in 10 years, these sort of funerals -- services for victims of police killings -- will be a thing of the past as well.
Among the line of buses and cars at the front of the church, Savant Moore, 35, shared a sentiment he posted on Facebook in the aftermath of the killing: “It really took a global pandemic with no sports, no concerts, no vacations to get the world to sit down and have no choice but to watch what’s really happening to Black people in America with zero distractions.”Among the line of buses and cars at the front of the church, Savant Moore, 35, shared a sentiment he posted on Facebook in the aftermath of the killing: “It really took a global pandemic with no sports, no concerts, no vacations to get the world to sit down and have no choice but to watch what’s really happening to Black people in America with zero distractions.”
Moore was an Army ranger who had been deployed four times, once in Afghanistan and another time in Iraq. Yet it’s here in his home country that he is scared. “I have a college degree from Howard University. I’m an entrepreneur. And this is my America,” Moore said.Moore was an Army ranger who had been deployed four times, once in Afghanistan and another time in Iraq. Yet it’s here in his home country that he is scared. “I have a college degree from Howard University. I’m an entrepreneur. And this is my America,” Moore said.
“Every day, I still have to worry about whether people will not like me because of the color of my skin, or if I might not make it back home to my children because I encounter a police officer for a routine traffic stop.”“Every day, I still have to worry about whether people will not like me because of the color of my skin, or if I might not make it back home to my children because I encounter a police officer for a routine traffic stop.”
George Floyd’s memorial service is now underway at the Fountain of Praise church in Houston, Texas, where he will be laid to rest.George Floyd’s memorial service is now underway at the Fountain of Praise church in Houston, Texas, where he will be laid to rest.
The Rev Al Sharpton will lead the memorial service, which is private. Mourners are singing hymns to honor Floyd’s life, which ended late last month after a Minneapolis police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck.The Rev Al Sharpton will lead the memorial service, which is private. Mourners are singing hymns to honor Floyd’s life, which ended late last month after a Minneapolis police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck.
After the private service, a large procession of mourners is expected to accompany Floyd’s casket to his final resting place alongside his mother.After the private service, a large procession of mourners is expected to accompany Floyd’s casket to his final resting place alongside his mother.
The Guardian’s Vivian Ho is in Houston, Texas, where George Floyd’s memorial service is expected to begin at any moment.The Guardian’s Vivian Ho is in Houston, Texas, where George Floyd’s memorial service is expected to begin at any moment.
The service for Floyd, who was killed in police custody late last month, is private, but people have still gathered at the church where mourners are convening.The service for Floyd, who was killed in police custody late last month, is private, but people have still gathered at the church where mourners are convening.
One woman told Ho that she decided to come with her 12-year-old niece because “it feels like a part of history,” expressing hope that police brutality will soon be a thing of the past.One woman told Ho that she decided to come with her 12-year-old niece because “it feels like a part of history,” expressing hope that police brutality will soon be a thing of the past.
A large procession is expected to accompany Floyd’s casket to his final resting place once the service concludes.A large procession is expected to accompany Floyd’s casket to his final resting place once the service concludes.
The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports from Houston, Texas:The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports from Houston, Texas:
The Rev Al Sharpton will lead George Floyd’s memorial service today, after leading the Minneapolis service for Floyd last week.The Rev Al Sharpton will lead George Floyd’s memorial service today, after leading the Minneapolis service for Floyd last week.
In Minneapolis, Sharpton delivered a rousing eulogy calling for white America to “get off our necks”, a reference to Floyd’s last moments.In Minneapolis, Sharpton delivered a rousing eulogy calling for white America to “get off our necks”, a reference to Floyd’s last moments.
Floyd, an African American, struggled to call out for his late mother and beg a police officer for mercy as he lay dying, pinned down by now-former officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on his neck. Today, Floyd will join his mother when his family inters his body next to hers in Houston, where he grew up.Floyd, an African American, struggled to call out for his late mother and beg a police officer for mercy as he lay dying, pinned down by now-former officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on his neck. Today, Floyd will join his mother when his family inters his body next to hers in Houston, where he grew up.
Shaprton said last week, “The reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed of being is you kept your knee on our neck. ... It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say: get your knee off our necks.”Shaprton said last week, “The reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed of being is you kept your knee on our neck. ... It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say: get your knee off our necks.”
The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports from Houston, Texas:
The family of George Floyd is preparing to lay his body to rest in his home town of Houston, following weeks of protest over his killing by police in Minneapolis and a public viewing attended by thousands who waited for hours in the hot sun the day before.
The memorial is set to begin in about 20 minutes at 11 am CT, and it will be led by the Rev Al Sharpton. He reminded the mourners outside the church on Monday that none of the victims’ families who traveled to Houston had wanted to become activists, and that it would take work to change policing and racism in the country.
Thousands attended Monday’s public viewing, traveling into the city from across the US, and thousands more attended a candlelight vigil after viewing hours ended.
Though Tuesday’s funeral and burial are for invited guests and family only, officials expect a large turnout of mourners wishing to pay their respects to follow the funeral procession to Floyd’s final resting place.
The Brooklyn district attorney said a New York City police officer has been charged with assault, after a now-viral video showed the officer shoving a protester to the ground.
Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez said officer Vincent D’Andraia, 28, would be charged with assault, criminal mischief, harassment and menacing for shoving 20-year-old Dounya Zayer to the ground during a George Floyd protest.
“I fully support the long-held American tradition of non-violent protest,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “As District Attorney I cannot tolerate the use of excessive force against anyone exercising this Constitutionally guaranteed right.
“This is especially true of those who are sworn to protect us and uphold the law. I am deeply troubled by this unnecessary assault. We will now seek to hold this defendant accountable.”
Newsweek reporter Jason Lemon first shared a video of the incident and said D’Andraia called Zayer a “stupid fucking bitch” as he shoved her. The NYPD previously said it was reviewing the matter.
Two law enforcement agencies acknowledged that police officers in Minneapolis cut some drivers’ tires as the George Floyd protests played out across the city.
Mother Jones previously shared videos showing police officers slashing tires in a K-Mart parking lot on May 30 and a highway overpass on May 31, both of which became police staging grounds near the protests.
The Star Tribune reports:
Trump said he may resume holding campaign rallies, which have been halted because of the coronavirus pandemic, as soon as next week.
“BIG DEMAND! Starting up again soon, maybe next week!” the president wrote in response to a tweet about resuming the rallies.
Politico reported yesterday that the president planned to restart the rallies, which have become a defining aspect of his campaigning style, in the next two weeks.
There are still concerns about holding massive in-person events amid the coronavirus pandemic, but some of the president’s allies have argued the recent George Floyd protests, which have attracted thousands of people, make it harder for critics to question the safety of the rallies.
Trump has clearly missed holding rallies, where he has been known to go on extended tangents about his many accomplishments in office, often creating a lot of work for news outlets’ fact-checkers.
On Friday, the president held a celebratory press conference after the jobs report showed the US unemployment rate had slightly dropped to a still-high figure of 13.3%. Trump’s boasts about his accomplishments gave the event the feeling of a rally, particularly because the president took no questions from reporters at the “press conference.”
Trump was later criticized for saying during the event that it was a “great day” for Floyd, who was killed while in police custody late last month.
Georgia is holding its primary today, three weeks after the election was originally supposed to take place. Governor Brian Kemp delayed the primary because of the coronavirus pandemic.
State officials had encouraged voters to vote by mail in order to limit the potential spread of the virus at polling places, and 943,000 absentee ballots had been returned as of Sunday.
However, Georgians attempting to vote in person are already running into issues, with Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms complaining of long lines and broken machines in her city.
Georgia attracted scrutiny for its handling of the state’s 2018 gubernatorial race, with Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams alleging voter suppression by her opponent, Kemp, who was then Georgia secretary of state.
Abrams and her allies have argued that she would have won the race, which she lost by 1.4 points, if the vote had not been suppressed.
Trump’s baseless claim that the 75-year-old Buffalo protester who was shoved to the ground by police was an Antifa plant appears to have been sparked by this segment from the far-right One America News Network.
The segment was done by OAN’s Kristian Rouz, who has previously written for the Kremlin-owned outlet Sputnik. The US intelligence community has concluded that Sputnik played a role in Russia’s election interference efforts during the 2016 presidential race.
Rouz did a report last month peddling the theory that the coronavirus pandemic was “a globalist conspiracy to establish sweeping population control” backed by George Soros.
Former Republican senator Jeff Flake accused Trump of “trafficking in conspiracy theories” after the president suggested a 75-year-old protester who was shoved to the ground by police might have been an Antifa plant.
George Conway, who is married to senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, responded to the president’s tweet by resharing a less-than-flattering anecdote about another time when Trump saw someone in physical pain.
Trump is now threatening to release dirt on former defense secretary James Mattis, who released a scathing statement last week criticizing the president’s response to the George Floyd protests.
“Mattis was our Country’s most overrated General,” Trump wrote in a tweet. “He talked a lot, but never ‘brought home the bacon.’ He was terrible! Someday I will tell the real story on him and others - both good and bad!”
In his statement last week, Mattis said Trump was further dividing the country as it wrestled with how to crack down on police brutality.
Directly addressing the forcible removal of peaceful protesters near the White House last week, Mattis said, “We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Park. We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our constitution.”
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
The Buffalo man who Trump claims was an Antifa plant is actually a “longtime peaceful protester and human rights advocate,” according to a statement from his lawyer released over the weekend.
The Washington Post reported that 75-year-old Martin Gugino, who was shoved to the ground by two police officers while he was protesting, is a member of PUSH Buffalo, which advocates for affordable housing, and the human rights organization Western New York Peace Center.
His lawyer said he was in serious but stable condition after the incident and is now “alert and oriented.” The two officers who shoved him have been charged with assault.
Donald Trump has just rather unexpectedly tweeted the claim that Martin Gugino, the 75-year-old pushed to the ground by police in Buffalo, New York state, last week may have been an “ANTIFA provocateur” who was trying to scan equipment and black out police communications.
Two police officers – Aaron Torgalski, 39, and Robert McCabe, 32 – have pleaded not guilty to felony assault after a video emerged which showed the officers shoving Gugino as he was protesting outside City Hall on Thursday night.
One of our New York reporters is looking further into this claim from Trump, which seems to have originated from coverage of the incident on OANN, the small far-right news channel which Trump has recently taken to promoting.
Here’s the video clip of the incident that Trump is referring to.