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/11/george-floyd-protests-donald-trump-jefferson-davis-statue-live

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
George Floyd protests: officer bailed as protesters topple Confederate statue in Virginia - live George Floyd protests: officer bailed as protesters topple Confederate statue in Virginia - live
(32 minutes later)
Officer involved in George Floyd killing freed on bail, as statue of Confederate president toppled in VirginiaOfficer involved in George Floyd killing freed on bail, as statue of Confederate president toppled in Virginia
General Mark Milley’s apology for participating in Trump’s photo op makes it very likely that the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff will soon be on the receiving end of a negative presidential tweet.
The president is notoriously sensitive to having senior officials publicly distance themselves from him, and he was reportedly on the brink of firing Mark Esper last week after the defense secretary said he did not support Trump’s proposal to send active-duty troops to states with George Floyd protests.
Esper has not apologized for participating in the photo op, telling reporters last week that he was not aware he would be taking part in it when he came to the White House to meet with Trump.
General Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, has apologized for participating in Trump’s photo op at St John’s Church last week, which took place moments after nearby peaceful protesters were removed using tear gas.
“I should not have been there,” Milley told the National Defense University in a prerecorded video commencement address. “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.”
Milley and defense secretary Mark Esper were widely criticized for participating in the photo op, with many former defense officials saying the two were helping Trump’s efforts to politicize the military.
“As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from,” Milley said, going on to described his anger about “the senseless and brutal killing of George Floyd.”
The Senate armed services committee has adopted an amendment for the Pentagon to rename military sites named after Confederate generals within three years, according to CNN.
The proposal was adopted by the Republican-led panel behind closed doors as an amendment to the annual defense authorization bill, which could make it more difficult for Trump to veto.
If the amendment makes it into the final version of the defense bill, the president would have to veto a number of popular proposals for the Pentagon in order to prevent the base renaming initiative from moving forward.
CNN reports:
The news comes one day after Trump said he would “not even consider” renaming the bases, and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany specifically said the president would veto the defense authorization bill if it included a proposal to do so.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
Trump’s most recent tweet that the National Guard troops who patrolled Washington amid the George Floyd protests “could hardly believe how easy it was” is at odds with recent reports about the troops.Trump’s most recent tweet that the National Guard troops who patrolled Washington amid the George Floyd protests “could hardly believe how easy it was” is at odds with recent reports about the troops.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
Donald Trump is up and tweeting, and is straight on the attack against “Antifa”.Donald Trump is up and tweeting, and is straight on the attack against “Antifa”.
This is somewhat in contrast to Trump’s final tweets last night, where he was labelling protesters in Seattle “domestic terrorists”, and not “a walk in the park” at all.This is somewhat in contrast to Trump’s final tweets last night, where he was labelling protesters in Seattle “domestic terrorists”, and not “a walk in the park” at all.
Axios has an interesting note about the next New York Times bestseller list. The top ten entries on the ‘combined print and e-nook non-fiction list’ are absolutely dominated by titles that focus on race in the US.Axios has an interesting note about the next New York Times bestseller list. The top ten entries on the ‘combined print and e-nook non-fiction list’ are absolutely dominated by titles that focus on race in the US.
The top five consists of:The top five consists of:
You can read the full list here.You can read the full list here.
It has been similar in the UK, where Bernardine Evaristo and Reni Eddo-Lodge have become the first black British women to top the UK’s fiction and nonfiction paperback charts.It has been similar in the UK, where Bernardine Evaristo and Reni Eddo-Lodge have become the first black British women to top the UK’s fiction and nonfiction paperback charts.
And if you are wondering which books might be useful for your children at this moment in time, Aimée Felone has this list: ‘No reader is too young to start’: anti-racist books for all children and teensAnd if you are wondering which books might be useful for your children at this moment in time, Aimée Felone has this list: ‘No reader is too young to start’: anti-racist books for all children and teens
Joe Biden was on Trevor Noah’s Daily Show on Wednesday night, and he touched on two important topics that are likely to make headlines - what he feels about defunding the police, and how willingly Donald Trump would leave the White House if he lost November’s election.Joe Biden was on Trevor Noah’s Daily Show on Wednesday night, and he touched on two important topics that are likely to make headlines - what he feels about defunding the police, and how willingly Donald Trump would leave the White House if he lost November’s election.
On the policing issue, Biden said “Well, I think there are a lot of changes that can take place period, without having to defund police completely”. He has in fact dismayed some activists by proposing extra money for police to tackle inequality.On the policing issue, Biden said “Well, I think there are a lot of changes that can take place period, without having to defund police completely”. He has in fact dismayed some activists by proposing extra money for police to tackle inequality.
He suggested that social workers couldn’t replace cops on call outs, but that maybe police should be accompanied when dealing with situations like suspected overdoses or mental health episodes. He also suggested a change of tack on drug policy, saying “Nobody should be going to jail for the use of drugs, they should be going to mandatory rehabilitation. We should be building rehab centers, not more prisons”He suggested that social workers couldn’t replace cops on call outs, but that maybe police should be accompanied when dealing with situations like suspected overdoses or mental health episodes. He also suggested a change of tack on drug policy, saying “Nobody should be going to jail for the use of drugs, they should be going to mandatory rehabilitation. We should be building rehab centers, not more prisons”
On Trump leaving the White House, in some quotes that seem to have excited Fox News, Biden suggested he had faith that if Trump did refuse to move, the military would happily step in.On Trump leaving the White House, in some quotes that seem to have excited Fox News, Biden suggested he had faith that if Trump did refuse to move, the military would happily step in.
“I promise you,” Biden said, “I’m absolutely convinced they [the military] will escort him from the White House with great dispatch.”“I promise you,” Biden said, “I’m absolutely convinced they [the military] will escort him from the White House with great dispatch.”
Another 1.5 million people filed for unemployment benefits last week even as states across the US continued to relax their coronavirus quarantine measures. In just 12 weeks more than 44 million claims have been made for benefits as people lost their jobs.Another 1.5 million people filed for unemployment benefits last week even as states across the US continued to relax their coronavirus quarantine measures. In just 12 weeks more than 44 million claims have been made for benefits as people lost their jobs.
Dominic Rushe and Amanda Holpuch in New York have our full report.Dominic Rushe and Amanda Holpuch in New York have our full report.
We’ll have further live economic reaction to the news on our Business live blog which my colleague Jasper Jolly is running over here.We’ll have further live economic reaction to the news on our Business live blog which my colleague Jasper Jolly is running over here.
Time magazine’s new cover and lead essay is out.Time magazine’s new cover and lead essay is out.
It does not mince its wordsIt does not mince its words
The essay - “America’s Long Overdue Awakening to Systemic Racism” by Justin Worland - was published online earlier today.The essay - “America’s Long Overdue Awakening to Systemic Racism” by Justin Worland - was published online earlier today.
John F Harris has written a column this morning for Politico about Confederate statues. He used to live in Richmond, Virginia, where last night a statue of Confederate president Jefferson Davis was pulled down by protesters.John F Harris has written a column this morning for Politico about Confederate statues. He used to live in Richmond, Virginia, where last night a statue of Confederate president Jefferson Davis was pulled down by protesters.
In it, he examines what has changed about the monuments he lived next to and the 1990s, and how they have been seen in recent years.In it, he examines what has changed about the monuments he lived next to and the 1990s, and how they have been seen in recent years.
Along the way, Harris speaks to Donald P. Baker, known for his biography of the nation’s first black elected governor L. Douglas Wilder. Baker says of the statues on Monument Avenue: “The longer we lived here, the more they offended me.”Along the way, Harris speaks to Donald P. Baker, known for his biography of the nation’s first black elected governor L. Douglas Wilder. Baker says of the statues on Monument Avenue: “The longer we lived here, the more they offended me.”
For him they weren’t so much about the civil war era, but about a constant reminder of the Jim Crow era, when so many Confederate statues were actually erected.For him they weren’t so much about the civil war era, but about a constant reminder of the Jim Crow era, when so many Confederate statues were actually erected.
It’s a fascinating piece, well worth your time: On Monument Avenue, Liberal illusions about race come tumbling downIt’s a fascinating piece, well worth your time: On Monument Avenue, Liberal illusions about race come tumbling down
The protests over the killing of George Floyd and the run-up to November’s election have all been taking place against the ominous backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak.The protests over the killing of George Floyd and the run-up to November’s election have all been taking place against the ominous backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak.
Recorded cases in the US - according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker - have breached the two million barrier. To put the accelerated spread of the disease in some perspective, it took 14 weeks to go from one case to one million cases. It only took another six weeks to go from one million to two million.Recorded cases in the US - according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker - have breached the two million barrier. To put the accelerated spread of the disease in some perspective, it took 14 weeks to go from one case to one million cases. It only took another six weeks to go from one million to two million.
Oliver Milman reports for us on how the nation has failed to get to grips with the coronavirus:Oliver Milman reports for us on how the nation has failed to get to grips with the coronavirus:
Read his full report: ‘An American fiasco’: US hits grim milestone of 2m Covid-19 casesRead his full report: ‘An American fiasco’: US hits grim milestone of 2m Covid-19 cases
Jon Ossoff, the 33-year-old media executive, has won Georgia’s Democratic primary for a Senate seat. He will contest it in November against Republican David Perdue, a Trump ally. Democrats are looking to flip the seat in what should be a competitive race in November.Jon Ossoff, the 33-year-old media executive, has won Georgia’s Democratic primary for a Senate seat. He will contest it in November against Republican David Perdue, a Trump ally. Democrats are looking to flip the seat in what should be a competitive race in November.
That might not be the main thing to draw out of Tuesday’s election though. It was beset with organisational problems, with voting queues extending even longer than usual due to coronavirus social distancing rules.That might not be the main thing to draw out of Tuesday’s election though. It was beset with organisational problems, with voting queues extending even longer than usual due to coronavirus social distancing rules.
David Daley writes for us today about the lessons it might teach us about November:David Daley writes for us today about the lessons it might teach us about November:
It’s a worrying read: Georgia’s voting fiasco is a warning. The November election could be chaosIt’s a worrying read: Georgia’s voting fiasco is a warning. The November election could be chaos
Before going to bed last night Donald Trump was tweeting vexedly about the protest situation in Seattle and issuing orders to Governor Jay Inslee.Before going to bed last night Donald Trump was tweeting vexedly about the protest situation in Seattle and issuing orders to Governor Jay Inslee.
The president also claimed that the protests in Seattle are being run by “radical left Democrats”The president also claimed that the protests in Seattle are being run by “radical left Democrats”
Mayor Jenny Durkan wasn’t having any of it.Mayor Jenny Durkan wasn’t having any of it.
Yesterday protesters in the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” were doing something that has become a familiar sight in Washington DC and in Philadelphia - painting roads with huge anti-racism messages.Yesterday protesters in the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” were doing something that has become a familiar sight in Washington DC and in Philadelphia - painting roads with huge anti-racism messages.
A statue of Confederate president Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Virginia, is the latest statue to be torn down by protesters. In the last couple of days statues of Christopher Columbus have also been targeted.A statue of Confederate president Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Virginia, is the latest statue to be torn down by protesters. In the last couple of days statues of Christopher Columbus have also been targeted.
The statue, which stood on Richmond’s Monument Avenue, was pulled down shortly before 11pm according to local news reports. Jefferson was a Mississippi Democrat who served as the president of the Confederate states from 1861 until 1865.The statue, which stood on Richmond’s Monument Avenue, was pulled down shortly before 11pm according to local news reports. Jefferson was a Mississippi Democrat who served as the president of the Confederate states from 1861 until 1865.
Police were on the scene and videos on social media showed the statue being towed away as a crowd cheered.Police were on the scene and videos on social media showed the statue being towed away as a crowd cheered.
Among graffiti painted on the Davis monument was the question: “How much more blood?”Among graffiti painted on the Davis monument was the question: “How much more blood?”
The protests over the killing of George Floyd have spread globally and lead to the toppling and removal of statues in several countries.The protests over the killing of George Floyd have spread globally and lead to the toppling and removal of statues in several countries.
A statue of slaver Edward Colston, which was thrown into Bristol’s harbour in England by protesters at the weekend, has been retrieved from the water by local authorities. They say they are keeping it in a secure location while deciding what to do with it.A statue of slaver Edward Colston, which was thrown into Bristol’s harbour in England by protesters at the weekend, has been retrieved from the water by local authorities. They say they are keeping it in a secure location while deciding what to do with it.
One of the four former white Minneapolis police officers who were charged over the death of George Floyd was released on bail on Wednesday.One of the four former white Minneapolis police officers who were charged over the death of George Floyd was released on bail on Wednesday.
Reuters report that Thomas Lane, 37, had been held on $750,000 bail and was freed from Hennepin County jail.Reuters report that Thomas Lane, 37, had been held on $750,000 bail and was freed from Hennepin County jail.
He was one of three officers charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter over Floyd’s death on 25 May.He was one of three officers charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter over Floyd’s death on 25 May.
Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, has previously stated that Lane was only on his fourth day of patrol duty and that Derek Chauvin was his training officer, whom he should obey. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, has previously stated that Lane was only on his fourth day of patrol duty and that Derek Chauvin was his training officer, whom he should obey. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
“What was my client supposed to do but follow what his training officer said?” Gray said in an earlier court hearing.“What was my client supposed to do but follow what his training officer said?” Gray said in an earlier court hearing.
Chauvin remains in jail on $1.25 million bail. The other two officers, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng, also remain in jail on $750,000 bail.Chauvin remains in jail on $1.25 million bail. The other two officers, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng, also remain in jail on $750,000 bail.
Hi, welcome to our US politics and protests live blog today. Here’s what you might need to get caught up on before we start:Hi, welcome to our US politics and protests live blog today. Here’s what you might need to get caught up on before we start:
The US now has more than 2 million recorded cases of coronavirus, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. There have been over 112,000 deathsThe US now has more than 2 million recorded cases of coronavirus, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. There have been over 112,000 deaths
Thomas Lane, one of the officers involved in George Floyd’s killing, has been released after posting $750,000 bailThomas Lane, one of the officers involved in George Floyd’s killing, has been released after posting $750,000 bail
Protesters tore down a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Richmond, VirginiaProtesters tore down a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Virginia
Donald Trump has announced he will resume in-person campaign rallies in Tulsa, Oklahoma next Friday. The rally will take place on Juneteenth, in the city where a 1921 massacre of Black people occurred.Donald Trump has announced he will resume in-person campaign rallies in Tulsa, Oklahoma next Friday. The rally will take place on Juneteenth, in the city where a 1921 massacre of Black people occurred.
Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, spoke before the House judiciary committee on Wednesday - read his full testimony.Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, spoke before the House judiciary committee on Wednesday - read his full testimony.
Donald Trump is going to be in Texas today, where he will be fundraising for his re-election campaign, and attending a round table at Gateway Church in North Dallas which is modestly titled “Transition to Greatness: Restoring, Rebuilding, and Renewing”Donald Trump is going to be in Texas today, where he will be fundraising for his re-election campaign, and attending a round table at Gateway Church in North Dallas which is modestly titled “Transition to Greatness: Restoring, Rebuilding, and Renewing”
We are also expecting new jobless figures today - indications are that the number may hit 45 million.We are also expecting new jobless figures today - indications are that the number may hit 45 million.
I’m Martin Belam, and I’ll be running our live coverage before handing over to my New York colleagues in a couple of hours. You can contact me on martin.belam@theguardian.comI’m Martin Belam, and I’ll be running our live coverage before handing over to my New York colleagues in a couple of hours. You can contact me on martin.belam@theguardian.com