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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
Opinion: I grew up facing attack after attack on myself and others. Today each of us has a role in the fight for Black lives
Alex M Johnson writes for The Guardian:
Demilitarize the police. Decrease law enforcement budgets and reinvest those resources to fund schools, libraries, quality healthcare, parks, childcare, jobs, interventionists and a youth development system. Community safety does not come from cops – strong institutions ensure communities can thrive.
Support organizations led by, serving and in service to Black people. Support those who organize, agitate, resist, disrupt, demonstrate and advocate to ensure that Black lives are not expendable. The people have the power – fund organized action.
Interrogate what being an ally truly means. Use your voice. Be bold and take a stand: equivocation fuels inequity. If you have privilege, use it, leverage it. There is nothing revolutionary about recognizing your power and doing nothing with it to advance social change and end systemic racism.
You are either for Black lives or you are not. Systemic racism permeates every system – law enforcement, education, health, transportation, housing, the economy, the environment and even philanthropy, the system in which I work. Are you hiring Black people? Are they tokenized or in leadership positions? It’s not complicated. Oppression is operational. Disassemble it and undo the status quo.
Stop tiptoeing around race, slavery, racial injustice, racial bias, systemic racism, white supremacy, nationalism, anti-Blackness or racial equity. It’s real. We’ve studied and debated it long enough. Act. End of discussion.
Vote for an agenda at the local, state and federal levels that prioritizes Black lives and demolishes the insidious pillars of white supremacy in every form. For those whose electoral existence is predicated upon the domination of Black lives, we must dominate the ballot box. If you are registered to vote and someone you know is not, help them register. Vote. Vote. Vote.
New York state lawmakers repealed a law that kept officers’ disciplinary records secret. The measure is one of several police reform bills in the state legislature including one that bans police chokeholds. Lawmakers are also planning to vote on whether to provide all state troopers with body cameras and require that all officers provide medical and mental health attention to those in custody.
New York City’s legislature is also revisiting a bill to criminalize chokeholds. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who threatened to veto such legislation in 2014 after Eric Garner was killed, is facing increasing pressure to support the bill. Even without de Blasio’s approval, the legislation now has enough support to overcome a veto.
Philadelphians gathered in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood and painted “End Racism Now” in bright yellow letters onto the street.Philadelphians gathered in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood and painted “End Racism Now” in bright yellow letters onto the street.
The message is unlikely to last long, according to NBC Philadelphia, as the city is likely to remove it. Organizers are reportedly looking for a site where they can permanently paint the slogan.The message is unlikely to last long, according to NBC Philadelphia, as the city is likely to remove it. Organizers are reportedly looking for a site where they can permanently paint the slogan.
The event, which drew hundreds, was organized by a local pastor. The neighborhood was shaken recently after a group of armed white men took to the streets amid Black Lives Matter protests, saying they were there to protect businesses from looting.The event, which drew hundreds, was organized by a local pastor. The neighborhood was shaken recently after a group of armed white men took to the streets amid Black Lives Matter protests, saying they were there to protect businesses from looting.
Protests are continuing around the country. Here are some scenes from California.Protests are continuing around the country. Here are some scenes from California.
In Berkeley:In Berkeley:
In San Francisco:In San Francisco:
In Los Angeles:In Los Angeles:
In San Francisco, bus drivers halted service for eight minutes and 46 seconds — the amount of time that an officer had a knee on George Floyd’s neck. Soon after, Muni, the local transportation agency, announced it would no longer transport officers to the protests.In San Francisco, bus drivers halted service for eight minutes and 46 seconds — the amount of time that an officer had a knee on George Floyd’s neck. Soon after, Muni, the local transportation agency, announced it would no longer transport officers to the protests.
“The idea for the memorial was suggested by one of our transportation controllers in our Transportation Management Center,” said Erica Kato, a spokesperson for Muni. “We’ve been engaged in conversations with our staff, and that has given us the opportunity to reflect on what we can do to support our staff and black and brown community, and turn words into action.”“The idea for the memorial was suggested by one of our transportation controllers in our Transportation Management Center,” said Erica Kato, a spokesperson for Muni. “We’ve been engaged in conversations with our staff, and that has given us the opportunity to reflect on what we can do to support our staff and black and brown community, and turn words into action.”
In Louisiana, a recently uncovered video shows police officers repeatedly punching and tasing a Black man, who died shortly afterward.In Louisiana, a recently uncovered video shows police officers repeatedly punching and tasing a Black man, who died shortly afterward.
Video on KSLA, obtained from a bystander, shows police officers in the northern Louisiana city of Shreveport wrestling Tommie Dale McGlothen, 44, to the ground and hitting him repeatedly. After cuffing McGlothen, officers are captured walking him to the police vehicle, and pushing him against it so that his head hits the hood.Video on KSLA, obtained from a bystander, shows police officers in the northern Louisiana city of Shreveport wrestling Tommie Dale McGlothen, 44, to the ground and hitting him repeatedly. After cuffing McGlothen, officers are captured walking him to the police vehicle, and pushing him against it so that his head hits the hood.
According to the coroner, McGlothen was exhibiting signs of mental distress when officers apprehended him. Four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.According to the coroner, McGlothen was exhibiting signs of mental distress when officers apprehended him. Four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
The coroner, Todd Thoma, said, “McGlothen had underlying heart disease and clearly was suffering from excited delirium. The combination of these factors caused his death.” But the autopsy also confirmed multiple blunt forced injuries and noted that his death could have been prevented as it should have been obvious “that he needed medical care”.The coroner, Todd Thoma, said, “McGlothen had underlying heart disease and clearly was suffering from excited delirium. The combination of these factors caused his death.” But the autopsy also confirmed multiple blunt forced injuries and noted that his death could have been prevented as it should have been obvious “that he needed medical care”.
The CEO of CrossFit gyms stepped down after telling staff on a Zoom call, “We’re not mourning for George Floyd.”The CEO of CrossFit gyms stepped down after telling staff on a Zoom call, “We’re not mourning for George Floyd.”
Several gyms associated with CrossFit had already ended their association with the brand after the CEO, Greg Glassman, tweeted, in response to a statement from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation that racism was a public health issue, “It’s FLOYD-19.”Several gyms associated with CrossFit had already ended their association with the brand after the CEO, Greg Glassman, tweeted, in response to a statement from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation that racism was a public health issue, “It’s FLOYD-19.”
On a private call with staff, which was obtained by BuzzFeed, Glassman said, “We’re not mourning for George Floyd – I don’t think me or any of my staff are.”On a private call with staff, which was obtained by BuzzFeed, Glassman said, “We’re not mourning for George Floyd – I don’t think me or any of my staff are.”
“Can you tell me why I should mourn for him?” Glassman reportedly said on the call, which was recorded. “Other than that it’s the white thing to do – other than that, give me another reason.”“Can you tell me why I should mourn for him?” Glassman reportedly said on the call, which was recorded. “Other than that it’s the white thing to do – other than that, give me another reason.”
The show Cops has been canceled by the Paramount Network. The network removed the long-running show from its schedule amid protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd. Now, the network has announced it’s fully dropping the reality show, which documents police chasing down and apprehending suspects.The show Cops has been canceled by the Paramount Network. The network removed the long-running show from its schedule amid protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd. Now, the network has announced it’s fully dropping the reality show, which documents police chasing down and apprehending suspects.
Officers would sometimes coerce suspects into signing releases to be filmed, according to a podcast called Running From Cops.Officers would sometimes coerce suspects into signing releases to be filmed, according to a podcast called Running From Cops.
“Cops is not on the Paramount Network and we don’t have any current or future plans for it to return,” a network spokesperson said, according to the Hollywood Reporter.“Cops is not on the Paramount Network and we don’t have any current or future plans for it to return,” a network spokesperson said, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The A&E network has also pulled last week’s episodes of Live PD – which also follows officers in real time, though the show is not yet canceled outright. In March 2019, Javier Ambler, a Black man, was killed in Austin as the Live PD cameras were rolling. The 40-year-old postal worker and father of two had his brights on while driving home after a poker game.The A&E network has also pulled last week’s episodes of Live PD – which also follows officers in real time, though the show is not yet canceled outright. In March 2019, Javier Ambler, a Black man, was killed in Austin as the Live PD cameras were rolling. The 40-year-old postal worker and father of two had his brights on while driving home after a poker game.
Officers held Ambler down and used tasers on him even as he pleaded “I have congestive heart failure. I can’t breathe”, according to the Austin American Statesman, which along with KVUE-TV uncovered police video of the incident. The Live PD footage was not aired.Officers held Ambler down and used tasers on him even as he pleaded “I have congestive heart failure. I can’t breathe”, according to the Austin American Statesman, which along with KVUE-TV uncovered police video of the incident. The Live PD footage was not aired.
The US’s top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, warned on Tuesday that the coronavirus pandemic was far from over, calling Covid-19 his “worst nightmare”.The US’s top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, warned on Tuesday that the coronavirus pandemic was far from over, calling Covid-19 his “worst nightmare”.
“In a period of four months, it has devastated the whole world,” Fauci said, speaking to executives at a conference of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. “And it isn’t over yet.”“In a period of four months, it has devastated the whole world,” Fauci said, speaking to executives at a conference of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. “And it isn’t over yet.”
About 7 million people have been infected with the coronavirus and 400,000 people are known to have died. Many countries, including the US, where more than 110,000 have died, are now relaxing quarantine rules despite rising rates of infection in some areas.About 7 million people have been infected with the coronavirus and 400,000 people are known to have died. Many countries, including the US, where more than 110,000 have died, are now relaxing quarantine rules despite rising rates of infection in some areas.
“That’s millions and millions of infections worldwide. And it isn’t over yet. And it’s condensed in a very, very small time frame,” said Fauci.“That’s millions and millions of infections worldwide. And it isn’t over yet. And it’s condensed in a very, very small time frame,” said Fauci.
In a videotaped discussion Fauci said he had known that an outbreak like this could occur but he was surprised by how “rapidly it just took over the planet”. Fauci attributed the rapid spread to the contagiousness of the virus and extensive world travel by infected people.In a videotaped discussion Fauci said he had known that an outbreak like this could occur but he was surprised by how “rapidly it just took over the planet”. Fauci attributed the rapid spread to the contagiousness of the virus and extensive world travel by infected people.
Opinion: The toll of police violence on disabled AmericansOpinion: The toll of police violence on disabled Americans
Dominic Bradley and Sarah Katz write for the Guardian:Dominic Bradley and Sarah Katz write for the Guardian:
Los Angeles county district attorney Jackie Lacey announced that an officer has been charged with the assault of a 28-year-old man in April.Los Angeles county district attorney Jackie Lacey announced that an officer has been charged with the assault of a 28-year-old man in April.
Responding to a call about a tresspasser, officer Frank Hernandez, 49, hit a man on the head, neck and body more than a dozen times while screaming expletives. A bystander caught the incident on camera.Responding to a call about a tresspasser, officer Frank Hernandez, 49, hit a man on the head, neck and body more than a dozen times while screaming expletives. A bystander caught the incident on camera.
Hernandez, who has served the Los Angeles police department for more than two decades, has been involved in three on-duty shootings, according to the Los Angeles Times.Hernandez, who has served the Los Angeles police department for more than two decades, has been involved in three on-duty shootings, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“This is a disturbing case of the illegal use of force at the hands of a police officer,” Lacey said. “In this case, we believe the force was neither legally necessary nor reasonable.”“This is a disturbing case of the illegal use of force at the hands of a police officer,” Lacey said. “In this case, we believe the force was neither legally necessary nor reasonable.”
My colleague Vivian Ho reports from Houston:My colleague Vivian Ho reports from Houston:
Officials shut down the roads from the church to the cemetery, including a section of major toll road, to make way for the procession. Along the route, groups of supporters waved “Black lives matter” signs and cheered for Floyd.Officials shut down the roads from the church to the cemetery, including a section of major toll road, to make way for the procession. Along the route, groups of supporters waved “Black lives matter” signs and cheered for Floyd.
About a mile to the cemetery entrance, where the family planned to have a horse-drawn carriage bring Floyd’s casket the rest of the way to the burial site, hundreds lined the streets, holding up umbrellas and makeshift tents to protect themselves from the unrelenting sun.About a mile to the cemetery entrance, where the family planned to have a horse-drawn carriage bring Floyd’s casket the rest of the way to the burial site, hundreds lined the streets, holding up umbrellas and makeshift tents to protect themselves from the unrelenting sun.
They doodled chalk messages of “rest in power” and “be the change” along the sidewalk, and periodically broke out in chants: “Say his name! George Floyd!” A sweating man walked down the line, wearily reading his double-sided sign to people he passed: “We will breathe. I see greatness in you.”They doodled chalk messages of “rest in power” and “be the change” along the sidewalk, and periodically broke out in chants: “Say his name! George Floyd!” A sweating man walked down the line, wearily reading his double-sided sign to people he passed: “We will breathe. I see greatness in you.”
Herman Bell, 37, was on his way with his family to the eye doctor when he decided to stop to watch the procession. “We lost a great man from the third ward,” Bell said.Herman Bell, 37, was on his way with his family to the eye doctor when he decided to stop to watch the procession. “We lost a great man from the third ward,” Bell said.
“I want my kids to understand that when they go to school, they need to go to school and better themselves,” he said. “This man went out and bettered the world.”“I want my kids to understand that when they go to school, they need to go to school and better themselves,” he said. “This man went out and bettered the world.”
There’s a sense in Houston that in times like these, you come out to support the family even if you didn’t know the family. Schon Carter, 40, came out on Tuesday to show not just her support for the family, but to show that “we’re all standing in one accord.”There’s a sense in Houston that in times like these, you come out to support the family even if you didn’t know the family. Schon Carter, 40, came out on Tuesday to show not just her support for the family, but to show that “we’re all standing in one accord.”
“It feels good, that despite the heat, the weather, that people actually took the time out to show their respect for the family,” Carter said.“It feels good, that despite the heat, the weather, that people actually took the time out to show their respect for the family,” Carter said.
Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, has been tasked by Mitch McConnell to lead a Republican police reform effort.Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, has been tasked by Mitch McConnell to lead a Republican police reform effort.
Scott, of South Carolina, has released a plan that proposes cutting federal funds to police departments that don’t use body cameras and de-escalation training.Scott, of South Carolina, has released a plan that proposes cutting federal funds to police departments that don’t use body cameras and de-escalation training.
Use of force review boards aren’t in the proposal – though they are in the “discussion/development” section.Use of force review boards aren’t in the proposal – though they are in the “discussion/development” section.
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.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.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.”“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.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”.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.“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”.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.’”“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.