This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/jun/10/black-lives-matter-protests-george-floyd-donald-trump-live

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
George Floyd's brother testifies before House: 'I'm here to get justice' – live George Floyd's brother testifies before House: 'I'm here to get justice' – live
(32 minutes later)
Philonise Floyd participates in congressional hearing on police brutality, after his brother was killed after a police officer kneeled on his neckPhilonise Floyd participates in congressional hearing on police brutality, after his brother was killed after a police officer kneeled on his neck
Here’s where the day stands so far:
George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, testified before the House judiciary committee. In his opening statement for the panel’s hearing on police brutality, Floyd told the lawmakers that his brother “didn’t deserve to die over twenty dollars.” “It is on you to make sure his death isn’t in vain,” Floyd said.
The Minneapolis police chief said he was immediately ending contract negotiations with the city’s police union. Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo said the contract with the police union needed to be restructured to allow for meaningful reform after the police killing of Floyd.
A former federal judge said the criminal charges against Michael Flynn should not be dismissed. Former US district judge John Gleeson, who was appointed to review the justice department’s motion to dismiss Flynn’s charges, argued in a new court filing that the motion should be denied because there is “clear evidence of a gross abuse of prosecutorial power.”
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
A former federal judge appointed to review the justice department’s motion to dismiss criminal charges against Michael Flynn has concluded that the move represented an abuse of power.
Former US district judge John Gleeson argued in a new court filing that the justice department’s motion to dismiss should be denied because there is “clear evidence of a gross abuse of prosecutorial power.”
Gleeson, who was appointed by US district judge Emmet Sullivan to review the unusual request, accused the justice department of engaging in “highly irregular conduct to benefit a political ally of the President.”
Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in 2017 about his contact with the former Russian ambassador to the US.
Flynn was waiting to be sentenced by Sullivan when the justice department announced it was moving to drog the charges against him. The situation has put Sullivan in a unique and difficult position, and the judge will now have to determine whether to grant the justice dpeartment’s request.
If Sullivan moves forward with sentencing, Flynn’s team will almost certainly appeal the decision, so this legal saga is likely to continue.
More than 1,200 former employees of the justice department are calling for an investigation into attorney general William Barr’s role in the forcible removal of peaceful protesters from near the White House last week.More than 1,200 former employees of the justice department are calling for an investigation into attorney general William Barr’s role in the forcible removal of peaceful protesters from near the White House last week.
In a letter to the justice department inspector general Michael Horowitz, the former staffers said, “We are deeply concerned about the Department’s actions, and those of Attorney General William Barr himself, in response to the nationwide lawful gatherings to protest the systemic racism that has plagued this country throughout its history, recently exemplified by the brutal killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by sworn law enforcement officers acting under the color of law.”In a letter to the justice department inspector general Michael Horowitz, the former staffers said, “We are deeply concerned about the Department’s actions, and those of Attorney General William Barr himself, in response to the nationwide lawful gatherings to protest the systemic racism that has plagued this country throughout its history, recently exemplified by the brutal killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by sworn law enforcement officers acting under the color of law.”
The letter noted that those who have signed on to the request have worked under both Democratic and Republican administrations. The former staffers said they had severe concerns about Barr’s role in the decision to use tear gas against protesters in order to allow Trump to stage a photo op at a nearby church.The letter noted that those who have signed on to the request have worked under both Democratic and Republican administrations. The former staffers said they had severe concerns about Barr’s role in the decision to use tear gas against protesters in order to allow Trump to stage a photo op at a nearby church.
The former staffers said they were also concerned about the decision to deploy federal law enforcement officers to Washington, DC, in response to the protests.The former staffers said they were also concerned about the decision to deploy federal law enforcement officers to Washington, DC, in response to the protests.
“For all of these reasons, we are asking you to immediately open and conduct an investigation of the full scope of the Attorney General’s and the DOJ’s role in these events,” the letter says.“For all of these reasons, we are asking you to immediately open and conduct an investigation of the full scope of the Attorney General’s and the DOJ’s role in these events,” the letter says.
“If the Attorney General or any other DOJ employee has directly participated in actions that have deprived Americans of their constitutional rights or that physically injured Americans lawfully exercising their rights, that would be misconduct of the utmost seriousness, the details of which must be shared with the American people.”“If the Attorney General or any other DOJ employee has directly participated in actions that have deprived Americans of their constitutional rights or that physically injured Americans lawfully exercising their rights, that would be misconduct of the utmost seriousness, the details of which must be shared with the American people.”
Trump is expected to travel to Dallas, Texas, tomorrow for a discussion on race relations and policing, in response to the police killing of George Floyd.Trump is expected to travel to Dallas, Texas, tomorrow for a discussion on race relations and policing, in response to the police killing of George Floyd.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the president will announce a plan for “holistic revitalization and recovery.” White House spokesman Judd Deere shared the Dallas Morning News article on the upcoming trip.According to the Dallas Morning News, the president will announce a plan for “holistic revitalization and recovery.” White House spokesman Judd Deere shared the Dallas Morning News article on the upcoming trip.
The event is scheduled to occur before a high-dollar fundraising dinner in Dallas, which is expected to bring in $10 million for the president’s reelection campaign. The event is scheduled to occur before a high-dollar fundraising dinner in Dallas, which is expected to bring in $10m for the president’s reelection campaign.
The discussion comes as Trump has faced calls to deliver a national address on police brutality in recent weeks, as protests in response to Floyd’s death have spread across the nation.The discussion comes as Trump has faced calls to deliver a national address on police brutality in recent weeks, as protests in response to Floyd’s death have spread across the nation.
But the president’s aides have brushed off questions about a potential speech, which would likely be ill-received considering Trump’s controversial comments about the protests.But the president’s aides have brushed off questions about a potential speech, which would likely be ill-received considering Trump’s controversial comments about the protests.
Most recently, the president suggested (without evidence) that a 75-year-old protester who was shoved to the ground by two Buffalo police officers was actually an Antifa plant.Most recently, the president suggested (without evidence) that a 75-year-old protester who was shoved to the ground by two Buffalo police officers was actually an Antifa plant.
The barriers near the White House, which were erected in response to the George Floyd protests, are starting to come down, nearly two weeks after demonstrators first took to Washington’s streets to condemn police brutality.The barriers near the White House, which were erected in response to the George Floyd protests, are starting to come down, nearly two weeks after demonstrators first took to Washington’s streets to condemn police brutality.
The National Park Service said yesterday that Lafayette Square would soon reopen, but the agency noted some parts would “remain closed to allow the park to address damages and safety hazards.”The National Park Service said yesterday that Lafayette Square would soon reopen, but the agency noted some parts would “remain closed to allow the park to address damages and safety hazards.”
House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer sent Trump a letter earlier this week calling on him to remove the barriers, but the White House claimed it was decision for NPS and the Secret Service.House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer sent Trump a letter earlier this week calling on him to remove the barriers, but the White House claimed it was decision for NPS and the Secret Service.
In the days since the barriers went up, the temporary fencing has become somewhat of a monument to Floyd, who was killed in police custody late last month.In the days since the barriers went up, the temporary fencing has become somewhat of a monument to Floyd, who was killed in police custody late last month.
Protesters had taken to putting their signs, which include Floyd’s name and “Black Lives Matter,” on the fencing. When NPS announced the fencing would be removed, people started removing the signs to preserve them. and the Smithsonian has said it will collect some of the signs to commemorate the protests.Protesters had taken to putting their signs, which include Floyd’s name and “Black Lives Matter,” on the fencing. When NPS announced the fencing would be removed, people started removing the signs to preserve them. and the Smithsonian has said it will collect some of the signs to commemorate the protests.
In his press conference, Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo sharply condemned the actions of the officers involved in the killing of George Floyd.In his press conference, Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo sharply condemned the actions of the officers involved in the killing of George Floyd.
Arradondo refused to even say the name of Derek Chauvin, who kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes and has now been charged with second-degree murder.Arradondo refused to even say the name of Derek Chauvin, who kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes and has now been charged with second-degree murder.
A reporter noted that this misconduct may not have come to light if a civilian had not recorded Floyd’s last moments.A reporter noted that this misconduct may not have come to light if a civilian had not recorded Floyd’s last moments.
Arradondo responded by encouraging civilians to record and report such police misconduct to superiors, saying he was “thankful” the incident had been recorded so that Floyd and his family can get justice.Arradondo responded by encouraging civilians to record and report such police misconduct to superiors, saying he was “thankful” the incident had been recorded so that Floyd and his family can get justice.
Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo declined to provide further details about the 911 call that brought police officers to George Floyd.Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo declined to provide further details about the 911 call that brought police officers to George Floyd.
But Arradondo emphasized that the call could not possibly justify the killing of Floyd. “There is nothing in that call that should have resulted in Mr Floyd’s death,” Arradondo said.But Arradondo emphasized that the call could not possibly justify the killing of Floyd. “There is nothing in that call that should have resulted in Mr Floyd’s death,” Arradondo said.
Police officers were called to a Minneapolis convenience store because Floyd allegedly tried to pay using a counterfeit $20 bill.Police officers were called to a Minneapolis convenience store because Floyd allegedly tried to pay using a counterfeit $20 bill.
This morning, Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, testified before the House judiciary committee and said, “He didn’t deserve to die over twenty dollars. I am asking you, is that what a black man’s life is worth? Twenty dollars? This is 2020. Enough is enough.”This morning, Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, testified before the House judiciary committee and said, “He didn’t deserve to die over twenty dollars. I am asking you, is that what a black man’s life is worth? Twenty dollars? This is 2020. Enough is enough.”
Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo said the contract with the police union needed to be restructured to allow for meaningful reform after the police killing of George Floyd.Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo said the contract with the police union needed to be restructured to allow for meaningful reform after the police killing of George Floyd.
Arradondo expressed frustration with being unable to terminate officers after violent incidents because they are protected by a third-party mechanism.Arradondo expressed frustration with being unable to terminate officers after violent incidents because they are protected by a third-party mechanism.
“I think it’s very clear that we have to evolve,” Arradondo said, describing the protocol for contract negotiations as “antiquated” and insufficent for meeting the needs of all stakeholders.“I think it’s very clear that we have to evolve,” Arradondo said, describing the protocol for contract negotiations as “antiquated” and insufficent for meeting the needs of all stakeholders.
Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo said he is immediately withdrawing from contract negotiations with the city’s police union.Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo said he is immediately withdrawing from contract negotiations with the city’s police union.
Arradondo said he would restart an effort to use early warning signs to identify troubled officers.Arradondo said he would restart an effort to use early warning signs to identify troubled officers.
Arradondo’s announcement come as many call for the resignation of Bob Kroll, the leader of the Minneapolis police union who described George Floyd as a “violent criminal.”Arradondo’s announcement come as many call for the resignation of Bob Kroll, the leader of the Minneapolis police union who described George Floyd as a “violent criminal.”
Among the witnesses called by Republicans was Angela Underwood Jacobs, the sister of Dave Patrick Underwood, an officer with the federal protective service who was fatally shot while on duty during a protest in Oakland over the police killing of George Floyd.Among the witnesses called by Republicans was Angela Underwood Jacobs, the sister of Dave Patrick Underwood, an officer with the federal protective service who was fatally shot while on duty during a protest in Oakland over the police killing of George Floyd.
In her remarks, Jacobs, the first African-American woman elected to the city council in Lancaster, California, said she could relate to the pain and anguish felt by the Floyd family.In her remarks, Jacobs, the first African-American woman elected to the city council in Lancaster, California, said she could relate to the pain and anguish felt by the Floyd family.
But she forcefully disagreed with some of the solutions being proposed by activists demanding policing reforms, and said such changes could leave law enforcement officers more vulnerable.But she forcefully disagreed with some of the solutions being proposed by activists demanding policing reforms, and said such changes could leave law enforcement officers more vulnerable.
“Police brutality of any kind must not be condoned; however it is blatantly wrong to create an excuse out of discrimination and disparity to loot and burn our communities, to kill our officers of the law,” she said.“Police brutality of any kind must not be condoned; however it is blatantly wrong to create an excuse out of discrimination and disparity to loot and burn our communities, to kill our officers of the law,” she said.
“It is a ridiculous solution to proclaim that defunding police departments is a solution to police brutality and discrimination because it is not a solution. It gets us nowhere as a nation and removes a safety net of protection that every citizen deserves.”“It is a ridiculous solution to proclaim that defunding police departments is a solution to police brutality and discrimination because it is not a solution. It gets us nowhere as a nation and removes a safety net of protection that every citizen deserves.”
Trump applauded Republican congressman Jim Jordan’s opening statement during the House judiciary committee hearing on police brutality.
In his remarks, Jordan criticized Democrats over the movement to defund the police, even though that idea is not incorporated into congressional Democrats’ police reform bill.
“Great statement to Congress by @Jim_Jordan concerning Defunding (not!) our great Police,” Trump said in a tweet. “This Radical Left agenda is not going to happen. Sleepy Joe Biden will be (already is) pulled all the way Left. Many, like Minneapolis, want to close their Police Departments. Crazy!”
In fact, Joe Biden wrote a USA Today op-ed specifically stating he is opposed to defunding the police, echoing a statement released by his campaign earlier this week.
Trump also expressed frustration with Fox News for moving away from live coverage of the hearing before the witnesses called by Republicans delivered their opening statements.
“Incredible! @FoxNews just took Congressional Hearing off the air just prior to important witness statements. More like CNN!!! Fox is lost!!!” Trump tweeted.
In his opening remarks to the House judiciary committee, Philonise Floyd noted that the police were originally called against George Floyd because he allegedly used a counterfeit $20 bill.
“George wasn’t hurting anyone that day,” Floyd said of his brother. “He didn’t deserve to die over twenty dollars. I am asking you, is that what a black man’s life is worth? Twenty dollars? This is 2020. Enough is enough.”
Floyd went on to tell the lawmakers, “Be the leaders that this country, this world, needs. Do the right thing.”
Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, is now delivering his opening remarks to the House judiciary commitee for the hearing on police brutality.
Floyd described the pain of watching the video of his brother’s murder, which showed a police officer kneelng on George Floyd’s neck for nearly nine mintues.
“He was our gentle giant. I was reminded of that when I watched the video of his murder,” Floyd said of his brother. “He was mild mannered; he didn’t fight back. He listened to the officers. He called them ‘sir.’ The men who took his life, who suffocated him for eight minutes and 46 seconds. He still called them ‘sir’ as he begged for his life.
“I can’t tell you the kind of pain you feel when you watch something like that. When you watch your big brother, who you’ve looked up to your whole life, die. Die begging for your mom.”
Floyd implored the lawmakers to make sure that his brother’s death sparked meaningful change. “I’m here today to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain. Stop us from being tired,” Floyd said.
House judiciary committee chairman Jerry Nadler offered his condolences to Philonise Floyd at the end of his opening remarks for the hearing on police brutality.
The Democratic chairman said it was important to remember that George Floyd, who was killed in police cusotdy late last month, is “not just a cause.”
“He was a man. He had a family,” Nadler said. “He had a rich life that was taken away from him far too early.”
The top Republican on the panel, Jim Jordan, also offered his condolences, saying of Floyd’s murder, “It’s as wrong as wrong can be, and your brother’s killers will face justice.”
Jordan then turned to Angela Underwood Jacobs, whose brother, federal protective services officer David Underwood, was shot and killed during the recent protests in Oakland, California.
Clearly trying to draw a direct comparison between the killings of Floyd and Underwood, Jordan repeated his earlier words, “It’s as wrong as wrong can be, and your brother’s killers will face justice.”
George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, will soon deliver his opening remarks at the House judiciary committee hearing on police brutality.
According to a copy of Floyd’s prepared remarks, he will call on lawmakers to make sure that the killing of his brother sparks meaningful change to prevent similar deaths in the future.
“George’s name means something,” Floyd will tell the House members. “If his death ends up changing the world for the better. And I think it will. I think it has. Then he died as he lived. It is on you to make sure his death isn’t in vain.”
Floyd will also deliver a more personal message for his brother, who he called Perry. “Perry, look at what you did, big brother. You’re changing the world,” Floyd will say. “Thank you for everything. For taking care of us when you were on Earth, and for taking care of all of us now. I hope you found mama and can rest in peace and power.”
The House judiciary committee hearing on police brutality has now started, with Democratic chairman Jerry Nadler delivering opening remarks.
The New York Democrat said the US legacy of slavery “continues to haunt our nation,” citing statistics on discrimination against African Americans.
Nadler said the hearing would focus on how to prevent “racist acts of violence by police officers.” The chairman emphasized the hearing was “not an indictment of all police officers,” but he said too many officers abuse their power.
“This is a systemic problem that requires a comprehensive solution,” Nadler said, going on to endorse the Justice in Policing Act that congressional Democrats introduced earlier this week.
Joe Biden wrote a USA Today op-ed about the need to address the country’s systemic racism, in response to the police killing of George Floyd.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee wrote:
But Biden once again made clear that he did not support the movement to defund the police, as his campaign said in a statement earlier this week:
The president’s reelection campaign has repeatedly tried to directly tie Biden to the defund the police movement, in an effort to paint the Democratic candidate as a liberal radical, but Biden’s opposition to the proposal has complicated that strategy.
George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, has arrived on Capitol Hill to testify before the House judiciary committee this morning.
Floyd will participate in a congressional hearing on police brutality, the first such hearing since George Floyd was killed after a police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Asked by a congressional reporter how he prepared for today’s hearing, Floyd simply said, “I’m here for my brother. I’m here to get justice for George.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany has offered a defense of Trump’s widely criticized tweet about a protester in Buffalo, New York, who was shoved to the ground by two police officers.
McEnany said the president’s tweet about Martin Gugino, which claimed without evidence that the protester was actually an Antifa plant, was just “raising questions based on a report he saw.”
“They’re questions that need to be asked,” McEnany said. “This individual had some questionable tweets, some profanity-laden tweets about police.” She added, “No one condones any sort of violence.”
Republican senators dodged questions yesterday about the president’s tweet, which was based on a thinly sourced report from the far-right One America News Network.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo has called on Trump to apologize to Gugino, who remains hospitalized but in stable condition. “How reckless, how irresponsible, how mean, how crude,” Cuomo said of the tweet. “I mean, if there was ever a reprehensible, dumb comment — and from the president of the United States.”
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was on Fox News this morning, discussing the president’s thoughts on police reform in response to the killing of George Floyd.
McEnany would not offer specifics on Trump’s plans, only saying, “There has been tremendous work done on this and a lot of progress.”
Congressional Democrats unveiled their own police reform bill, which would nationally ban chokeholds and create a national police misconduct registry, earlier this week, but Trump is unlikely to support that.
Tim Scott has also been tapped by Mitch McConnell to lead a working group of Senate Republicans on crafting their own police reform bill.