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George Floyd memorial: Al Sharpton condemns Trump's 'wickedness in high places' – live George Floyd memorial: Al Sharpton condemns Trump's 'wickedness in high places' – 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
Before he was killed, George Floyd was suffering the same fate as millions of Americans during the coronavirus pandemic: out of work and looking for a new job.
Floyd moved to Minneapolis from his native Houston several years ago in hopes of finding work and starting a new life, said Christopher Harris, Floyd’s lifelong friend.
“He was looking to start over fresh, a new beginning,” Harris said. “He was happy with the change he was making.”
Floyd, who was 46, grew up in Houston’s Third Ward, one of the city’s predominantly black neighborhoods, where he and Harris met in middle school. At 6ft6in, Floyd emerged as a star football player, positioned as the tight end for Jack Yates’ high school team, and played in the 1992 state championship game in the Houston Astrodome.
Donnell Cooper, one of Floyd’s former classmates, said he remembered watching Floyd score touchdowns. Floyd towered over everyone and earned the nickname “gentle giant”.
“Quiet personality but a beautiful spirit,” Cooper said.
Harris, Floyd’s childhood friend, said he and some of their mutual friends had moved to Minneapolis in search of jobs around 2014 — and convinced Floyd to join. Floyd landed a job working security at a Salvation Army store in downtown Minneapolis. He later started working two jobs, one driving trucks and another as a bouncer at Conga Latin Bistro, where he was known as “Big Floyd”.
“Always cheerful,” Jovanni Tunstrom, the bistro’s owner, said. “He had a good attitude. He would dance badly to make people laugh. I tried to teach him how to dance because he loved Latin music, but I couldn’t because he was too tall for me. He always called me ‘Bossman’. I said, ‘Floyd, don’t call me Bossman. I’m your friend.’”
The Guardian’s Vivian Ho is in Houston, where members of Congress, members of Floyd’s family and members of the public have all gathered to pay their respects to George Floyd, before he is buried.The Guardian’s Vivian Ho is in Houston, where members of Congress, members of Floyd’s family and members of the public have all gathered to pay their respects to George Floyd, before he is buried.
Mourners chanted Floyd’s name as his casket left the church, where Al Sharpton had delivered a eulogy.Mourners chanted Floyd’s name as his casket left the church, where Al Sharpton had delivered a eulogy.
Georgia’s secretary of state has announced an investigation after poll workers have reported issues with new voting machines and long lines.Georgia’s secretary of state has announced an investigation after poll workers have reported issues with new voting machines and long lines.
The primary election today was already delayed from 24 March due to the coronavirus pandemic and voting, even as the state faces extra scrutiny after its handling of the 2018 elections when then-secretary of state Brian Kemp was in charge of overseeing an election in which he was also a candidate for governor.The primary election today was already delayed from 24 March due to the coronavirus pandemic and voting, even as the state faces extra scrutiny after its handling of the 2018 elections when then-secretary of state Brian Kemp was in charge of overseeing an election in which he was also a candidate for governor.
The current secretary of state Brad Raffensperger oversaw the purchase of the machines that are now causing issues, for $104m. Poll workers have voiced concern about the equipment, but Raffensperger has blamed workers for not knowing how to work the machines.The current secretary of state Brad Raffensperger oversaw the purchase of the machines that are now causing issues, for $104m. Poll workers have voiced concern about the equipment, but Raffensperger has blamed workers for not knowing how to work the machines.
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
George Floyd’s family held a memorial service for him in Houston. Floyd, who was killed in police custody late last month, is now on his way to his final resting place. He will be buried alongside his mother, who he called out for while a police officer kept his knee on Floyd’s neck.George Floyd’s family held a memorial service for him in Houston. Floyd, who was killed in police custody late last month, is now on his way to his final resting place. He will be buried alongside his mother, who he called out for while a police officer kept his knee on Floyd’s neck.
The Rev Al Sharpton sharply criticized Trump’s response to recent protests in his eulogy for Floyd. “You take rubber bullets and teargas to clear out peaceful protesters, and then take a Bible and walk in front of a church, and use a church as a prop. Wickedness in high places,” Sharpton said.The Rev Al Sharpton sharply criticized Trump’s response to recent protests in his eulogy for Floyd. “You take rubber bullets and teargas to clear out peaceful protesters, and then take a Bible and walk in front of a church, and use a church as a prop. Wickedness in high places,” Sharpton said.
Joe Biden addressed mourners via livestream during Floyd’s service. “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.”Joe Biden addressed mourners via livestream during Floyd’s service. “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.”
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.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Trump’s chief of staff said the president would like to overhaul police laws “sooner rather than later,” according to a Politico reporter.Trump’s chief of staff said the president would like to overhaul police laws “sooner rather than later,” according to a Politico reporter.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows made the comment while visiting Capitol Hill with senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and Ja’Ron Smith, the deputy director of the office of American innovation.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows made the comment while visiting Capitol Hill with senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and Ja’Ron Smith, the deputy director of the office of American innovation.
Congressional Democrats unveiled their sweeping police reform bill yesterday, but Trump is very unlikely to endorse that piece of legislation.Congressional Democrats unveiled their sweeping police reform bill yesterday, but Trump is very unlikely to endorse that piece of legislation.
It is unclear what reforms the president would support, but White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said yesterday that Trump did not support ending qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that makes it difficult to hold police officers accountable for civil rights violations.It is unclear what reforms the president would support, but White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said yesterday that Trump did not support ending qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that makes it difficult to hold police officers accountable for civil rights violations.
The memorial service for George Floyd has concluded, and his casket is now on its way to his final resting place in Houston, where he grew up.The memorial service for George Floyd has concluded, and his casket is now on its way to his final resting place in Houston, where he grew up.
Many people waited outside of the Fountain of Praise church, where the service was held, in order to see Floyd’s casket and accompany it to his cemetery plot.Many people waited outside of the Fountain of Praise church, where the service was held, in order to see Floyd’s casket and accompany it to his cemetery plot.
The Rev Al Sharpton has just concluded his eulogy at George Floyd’s memorial service in Houston.The Rev Al Sharpton has just concluded his eulogy at George Floyd’s memorial service in Houston.
Moments ago, the civil rights activist celebrated the protests that have spread across the country and around the world in response to the police killing of Floyd.Moments ago, the civil rights activist celebrated the protests that have spread across the country and around the world in response to the police killing of Floyd.
“All over the world I’ve seen grandchildren of slave masters tearing down slave master statues,” Sharpton said.“All over the world I’ve seen grandchildren of slave masters tearing down slave master statues,” Sharpton said.
Sharpton specifically referenced the statue of the slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol, England, which was torn down and thrown into Bristol Harbour by Black Lives Matter protesters.Sharpton specifically referenced the statue of the slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol, England, which was torn down and thrown into Bristol Harbour by Black Lives Matter protesters.
The Rev Al Sharpton sharply criticized Trump’s response to the George Floyd protests, describing the president’s recent actions as “wickedness in high places.”The Rev Al Sharpton sharply criticized Trump’s response to the George Floyd protests, describing the president’s recent actions as “wickedness in high places.”
While delivering a eulogy at Floyd’s memorial service in Houston, Sharpton said Trump was more focused on how to stop the protests than how to stop police brutality.While delivering a eulogy at Floyd’s memorial service in Houston, Sharpton said Trump was more focused on how to stop the protests than how to stop police brutality.
The civil rights activist accused the president of being fixated on how the protests would affect his re-election bid and putting American lives in jeopardy as a result.The civil rights activist accused the president of being fixated on how the protests would affect his re-election bid and putting American lives in jeopardy as a result.
“You take rubber bullets and teargas to clear out peaceful protesters, and then take a Bible and walk in front of a church, and use a church as a prop. Wickedness in high places,” Sharpton said.“You take rubber bullets and teargas to clear out peaceful protesters, and then take a Bible and walk in front of a church, and use a church as a prop. Wickedness in high places,” Sharpton said.
In his eulogy at George Floyd’s memorial service, the Rev Al Sharpton criticized NFL commissioner Roger Goddell, who said last week that the league was “wrong” in its handling of players’ protests against police brutality.In his eulogy at George Floyd’s memorial service, the Rev Al Sharpton criticized NFL commissioner Roger Goddell, who said last week that the league was “wrong” in its handling of players’ protests against police brutality.
“Don’t apologize, give Colin Kaepernick his job back,” Sharpton said to applause.“Don’t apologize, give Colin Kaepernick his job back,” Sharpton said to applause.
Kaepernick was the first NFL player to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality, and he has since struggled to get picked up by a team, which his supporters have described as retaliation from management over his activism.Kaepernick was the first NFL player to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality, and he has since struggled to get picked up by a team, which his supporters have described as retaliation from management over his activism.
The Rev Al Sharpton is delivering a eulogy at George Floyd’s memorial service in Houston, demanding justice for Floyd and others killed by police.The Rev Al Sharpton is delivering a eulogy at George Floyd’s memorial service in Houston, demanding justice for Floyd and others killed by police.
“Lives like George will not matter until somebody pays the cost for taking their lives,” Sharpton said. “There is an intentional neglect to make people pay for taking our lives.”“Lives like George will not matter until somebody pays the cost for taking their lives,” Sharpton said. “There is an intentional neglect to make people pay for taking our lives.”
Shapton said any four police officers who killed a white person would be sent to jail, arguing the police officers charged with Floyd’s murder should receive the same punishment.Shapton said any four police officers who killed a white person would be sent to jail, arguing the police officers charged with Floyd’s murder should receive the same punishment.
The civil rights activist promised Floyd’s family he would “be here for the long haul.” “When the last TV truck is gone, we’ll still be here,” Sharpton said.The civil rights activist promised Floyd’s family he would “be here for the long haul.” “When the last TV truck is gone, we’ll still be here,” Sharpton said.
He later added, “We are fighting an institutional, systemic problem.”He later added, “We are fighting an institutional, systemic problem.”
The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports from Houston, Texas:The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports from Houston, Texas:
Meet Sharon Harry. This 64-year-old Houston nurse took time off work to attend not just Monday’s public viewing, but on Tuesday to stand outside the church where George Floyd’s memorial service is being held.Meet Sharon Harry. This 64-year-old Houston nurse took time off work to attend not just Monday’s public viewing, but on Tuesday to stand outside the church where George Floyd’s memorial service is being held.
For Harry, Floyd’s death - and the deaths of all killed by police - have personal meaning to her. Thirty-five years ago, her 22-year-old brother was driving home in San Antonio when he got pulled over by the police. He went to open the passenger-side door. Police thought he was reaching for his gun. And Harry’s baby brother Michael Haskins entered into a long legacy of unarmed black men killed by police in this country.For Harry, Floyd’s death - and the deaths of all killed by police - have personal meaning to her. Thirty-five years ago, her 22-year-old brother was driving home in San Antonio when he got pulled over by the police. He went to open the passenger-side door. Police thought he was reaching for his gun. And Harry’s baby brother Michael Haskins entered into a long legacy of unarmed black men killed by police in this country.
“It’s very emotional for me,” she said. “I now have three grandsons that range in ages from 18 to 3 years old. As I’m growing older, it would be a solace for me to know that there’s been a change. It would be a comfort to me to know that with all of this with Mr Floyd’s death, we can now see a united front, in all rainbows of color, of all nationalities, that people can now become aware of some of their unbiased prejudices.”“It’s very emotional for me,” she said. “I now have three grandsons that range in ages from 18 to 3 years old. As I’m growing older, it would be a solace for me to know that there’s been a change. It would be a comfort to me to know that with all of this with Mr Floyd’s death, we can now see a united front, in all rainbows of color, of all nationalities, that people can now become aware of some of their unbiased prejudices.”
Thirty-five years later, it doesn’t get any easier. With each police killing, the heartache is renewed, Harry said, her voice cracking. “You know what the Floyd family feels,” she said. “You know the loss. You know the pain.”Thirty-five years later, it doesn’t get any easier. With each police killing, the heartache is renewed, Harry said, her voice cracking. “You know what the Floyd family feels,” she said. “You know the loss. You know the pain.”
But this time feels different.But this time feels different.
“I’ve watched all the past police brutality but never anything like this,” she said. “I just had to be here and say thank you to Mr Floyd, for giving his life to those who don’t have a voice anymore, who didn’t have a voice then because there weren’t any cameras.”“I’ve watched all the past police brutality but never anything like this,” she said. “I just had to be here and say thank you to Mr Floyd, for giving his life to those who don’t have a voice anymore, who didn’t have a voice then because there weren’t any cameras.”
The Senate has unanimously confirmed General Charles Brown as the next chief of staff of the Air Force, making him the first African American chief of a military service branch.The Senate has unanimously confirmed General Charles Brown as the next chief of staff of the Air Force, making him the first African American chief of a military service branch.
Vice President Mike Pence presided over the vote for Brown’s nomination, which all 98 senators who were present supported. Announcing the final vote, Pence described Brown’s nomination as “historic.”Vice President Mike Pence presided over the vote for Brown’s nomination, which all 98 senators who were present supported. Announcing the final vote, Pence described Brown’s nomination as “historic.”
Trump celebrated Brown’s confirmation about an hour before the vote was finalized, praising the general as “a Patriot and Great Leader” in a tweet.Trump celebrated Brown’s confirmation about an hour before the vote was finalized, praising the general as “a Patriot and Great Leader” in a tweet.
Brown’s confirmation came as George Floyd’s memorial service took place in Houston, with many speakers demanding that racial injustice be addressed after Floyd was killed in police custody.Brown’s confirmation came as George Floyd’s memorial service took place in Houston, with many speakers demanding that racial injustice be addressed after Floyd was killed in police custody.
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.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: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.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.“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.