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Stacey Abrams calls for accountability after Atlanta police shoot black man – live Stacey Abrams calls for accountability after Atlanta police shoot black man – live
(32 minutes later)
‘Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death’ the former gubernatorial candidate said of Rayshard Brooks’ death‘Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death’ the former gubernatorial candidate said of Rayshard Brooks’ death
Police in South Carolina have released body camera footage of officers fatally shooting a handcuffed black man they said was wielding a gun in a Walmart parking lot. The Associated Press reports:
Kentucky governor Andy Beshear, who has led a push to take down a statue of Jefferson Davis at the state capitol, finished the job on Saturday with a push of a button. The Louisville Courier-Journal reports:Kentucky governor Andy Beshear, who has led a push to take down a statue of Jefferson Davis at the state capitol, finished the job on Saturday with a push of a button. The Louisville Courier-Journal reports:
It’s been somewhat of a bearish week for the legacy of the first and only president of the CSA. A different Davis statue was toppled by protesters on Wednesday night in Richmond, which had been the capital of the Confederacy until it was captured in the later stages of the war.It’s been somewhat of a bearish week for the legacy of the first and only president of the CSA. A different Davis statue was toppled by protesters on Wednesday night in Richmond, which had been the capital of the Confederacy until it was captured in the later stages of the war.
A relative of Rayshard Brooks, the African American man shot dead by police in Atlanta last night, has spoken about his grief and shock at the killing.A relative of Rayshard Brooks, the African American man shot dead by police in Atlanta last night, has spoken about his grief and shock at the killing.
Decatur Redd spoke to reporters and a crowd that had gathered outside the Wendy’s where the 27-year-old Brooks was shot on Friday after police were called to reports of a man who had fallen asleep in his vehicle.Decatur Redd spoke to reporters and a crowd that had gathered outside the Wendy’s where the 27-year-old Brooks was shot on Friday after police were called to reports of a man who had fallen asleep in his vehicle.
“I’ve watched this on the internet, from the whole George Floyd situation to us coming together like we’re doing and this whole thing landed on my doorstep with my little cousin,” Redd said.“I’ve watched this on the internet, from the whole George Floyd situation to us coming together like we’re doing and this whole thing landed on my doorstep with my little cousin,” Redd said.
The George Bureau of Investigation and the country district attorney’s office are looking into the death.The George Bureau of Investigation and the country district attorney’s office are looking into the death.
“We’ve been watching this happen for so many years, with young black boys around the country just dying in vain – I just don’t want that to continue and keep happening like that,” Redd said.“We’ve been watching this happen for so many years, with young black boys around the country just dying in vain – I just don’t want that to continue and keep happening like that,” Redd said.
Redd added that he was shocked the incident had happened in Atlanta. “I didn’t think it would hit right here, man. I thought this city was better than that. They’ve got to answer. Somebody’s gotta say something,” Redd said, “We need to at least know that the city is with us.”Redd added that he was shocked the incident had happened in Atlanta. “I didn’t think it would hit right here, man. I thought this city was better than that. They’ve got to answer. Somebody’s gotta say something,” Redd said, “We need to at least know that the city is with us.”
Director Ava DuVernay has endorsed a petition calling for Edmund Pettus Bridge in Montgomery, Alabama to be renamed the “John Lewis Bridge for Freedom”. The bridge was the location of the Bloody Sunday beatings by police of marchers campaigning for voting rights in 1965.Director Ava DuVernay has endorsed a petition calling for Edmund Pettus Bridge in Montgomery, Alabama to be renamed the “John Lewis Bridge for Freedom”. The bridge was the location of the Bloody Sunday beatings by police of marchers campaigning for voting rights in 1965.
The episode featured in DuVernay’s Oscar-nominated 2014 film, Selma. Pettus was an Alabama senator and Klu Klux Klan Grand Wizard, while John Lewis is a veteran US politician and civil rights leader.The episode featured in DuVernay’s Oscar-nominated 2014 film, Selma. Pettus was an Alabama senator and Klu Klux Klan Grand Wizard, while John Lewis is a veteran US politician and civil rights leader.
“I’ve just signed a petition about this bridge to dignity as seen in SELMA. It is named after a KKK grand wizard and confederate warlord,” wrote DuVernay on Twitter. “Edmund Pettus Bridge should be the John Lewis Bridge. Named for a hero. Not a murderer. Join this call. It’s past due.”“I’ve just signed a petition about this bridge to dignity as seen in SELMA. It is named after a KKK grand wizard and confederate warlord,” wrote DuVernay on Twitter. “Edmund Pettus Bridge should be the John Lewis Bridge. Named for a hero. Not a murderer. Join this call. It’s past due.”
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation have confirmed that the man police shot dead last night in Atlanta on Friday night was African American. Rayshard Brooks was 27.The Georgia Bureau of Investigation have confirmed that the man police shot dead last night in Atlanta on Friday night was African American. Rayshard Brooks was 27.
Stacey Abrams, who ran for Georgia governor in 2018, called for accountability over Brooks’s death in a tweet on Saturday afternoon.Stacey Abrams, who ran for Georgia governor in 2018, called for accountability over Brooks’s death in a tweet on Saturday afternoon.
“The killing of #RayshardBrooks in Atlanta last night demands we severely restrict the use of deadly force,” she wrote. “Yes, investigations must be called for – but so too should accountability. Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death.”“The killing of #RayshardBrooks in Atlanta last night demands we severely restrict the use of deadly force,” she wrote. “Yes, investigations must be called for – but so too should accountability. Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death.”
Both the GBI and the Fulton county district attorney’s office are investigating Brooks’s death, which happened after police were called to reports that a man had fallen asleep at a fast food restaurant drive-through.Both the GBI and the Fulton county district attorney’s office are investigating Brooks’s death, which happened after police were called to reports that a man had fallen asleep at a fast food restaurant drive-through.
The GBI says there was a struggle when police attempted to take Brooks into custody and he was shot and killed. “It has also been reported that the male subject was shot by an officer in the struggle over [a] Taser,” the GBI said in a statement.The GBI says there was a struggle when police attempted to take Brooks into custody and he was shot and killed. “It has also been reported that the male subject was shot by an officer in the struggle over [a] Taser,” the GBI said in a statement.
From Philadelphia, meanwhile, comes footage of a protest near the site of the 1985 Move bombing, a notorious event in which 11 people including five children died and a neighborhood burned down after police carried out an airstrike against a black liberation group.From Philadelphia, meanwhile, comes footage of a protest near the site of the 1985 Move bombing, a notorious event in which 11 people including five children died and a neighborhood burned down after police carried out an airstrike against a black liberation group.
Frank Rizzo was a notoriously racist mayor and police commissioner of Philadelphia. Earlier this month, his statue outside City Hall was first defaced and then removed.Frank Rizzo was a notoriously racist mayor and police commissioner of Philadelphia. Earlier this month, his statue outside City Hall was first defaced and then removed.
Ed Pilkington, Guardian US chief reporter, has written extensively about the Move bombing, “one of the great, largely forgotten, outrages of modern America”, and the group it targeted.Ed Pilkington, Guardian US chief reporter, has written extensively about the Move bombing, “one of the great, largely forgotten, outrages of modern America”, and the group it targeted.
Here’s Ed’s retelling of the bombing, from May this year, which begins with Frank Powell, a Philadelphia police officer who in 1985 was chief of the city’s bomb disposal squad, remembering vividly the moment he was told to carry out the aerial attack.Here’s Ed’s retelling of the bombing, from May this year, which begins with Frank Powell, a Philadelphia police officer who in 1985 was chief of the city’s bomb disposal squad, remembering vividly the moment he was told to carry out the aerial attack.
“Wow,” he recalls thinking. “You want me to do that?”“Wow,” he recalls thinking. “You want me to do that?”
Joe Biden has been tweeting, first about the “battle for the soul of this nation” which he will fight against Donald Trump at the polls, chaotic as they may be, in November.Joe Biden has been tweeting, first about the “battle for the soul of this nation” which he will fight against Donald Trump at the polls, chaotic as they may be, in November.
“If we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House,” the presumptive Democratic nominee writes, “he will fundamentally alter the character of this nation. We can’t let that happen.”“If we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House,” the presumptive Democratic nominee writes, “he will fundamentally alter the character of this nation. We can’t let that happen.”
Biden also says: “We need a national ban on chokeholds. Now.”Biden also says: “We need a national ban on chokeholds. Now.”
It’s a reference to police arrest techniques at the heart of a number of recent deaths of unarmed African American men, including George Floyd, whose killing in Minneapolis last month touched off lasting protest and civil unrest.It’s a reference to police arrest techniques at the heart of a number of recent deaths of unarmed African American men, including George Floyd, whose killing in Minneapolis last month touched off lasting protest and civil unrest.
By way of comparison, here’s what Trump said about chokeholds yesterday, in an interview with Fox News:By way of comparison, here’s what Trump said about chokeholds yesterday, in an interview with Fox News:
“I think the concept of chokeholds sounds so innocent and so perfect … [but] you have to be careful. With that being said, it would be, I think, a very good thing that, generally speaking, it should be ended.”“I think the concept of chokeholds sounds so innocent and so perfect … [but] you have to be careful. With that being said, it would be, I think, a very good thing that, generally speaking, it should be ended.”
The Fulton county district attorney’s office has opened an investigation into an incident in which Atlanta police shot and killed a man on Friday night. Police responded to reports that a man had fallen asleep in his car at a Wendy’s drive-thru and was blocking traffic. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) says the man was shot and killed after police tried to take him into custody. One report says the man tried to grab a police taser. The GBI is conducting its own investigation. Unverified reports on social media say the man who died was black.The Fulton county district attorney’s office has opened an investigation into an incident in which Atlanta police shot and killed a man on Friday night. Police responded to reports that a man had fallen asleep in his car at a Wendy’s drive-thru and was blocking traffic. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) says the man was shot and killed after police tried to take him into custody. One report says the man tried to grab a police taser. The GBI is conducting its own investigation. Unverified reports on social media say the man who died was black.
From what we know of the case so far, there are some similarities to the death of Willie McCoy in California last year:From what we know of the case so far, there are some similarities to the death of Willie McCoy in California last year:
Athletes at the University of Texas have asked the school song to be changed along with the names of buildings on campus.Athletes at the University of Texas have asked the school song to be changed along with the names of buildings on campus.
“The recent events across the country regarding racial injustice have brought to light the systemic racism that has always been prevalent in our country as well as the racism that has historically plagued our campus,” the athletes said in a statement.“The recent events across the country regarding racial injustice have brought to light the systemic racism that has always been prevalent in our country as well as the racism that has historically plagued our campus,” the athletes said in a statement.
The students want to see buildings named after figures associated with the confederacy or racism redubbed. They also want a change of the school song, Eyes Of Texas, as it once appeared in minstrel shows where blackface was performed. One building, Robert Lee Moore Hall is named after a teacher at the university from 1920 to 1969, who refused for many years to teach black students.The students want to see buildings named after figures associated with the confederacy or racism redubbed. They also want a change of the school song, Eyes Of Texas, as it once appeared in minstrel shows where blackface was performed. One building, Robert Lee Moore Hall is named after a teacher at the university from 1920 to 1969, who refused for many years to teach black students.
Assa Traore, the sister of Adama Traore, who died while in police custody in France in 2016 has addressed protesters in Paris.Assa Traore, the sister of Adama Traore, who died while in police custody in France in 2016 has addressed protesters in Paris.
“The death of George Floyd has a strong echo in the death in France of my little brother,” she said. “What’s happening in the United States is happening in France. Our brothers are dying.”“The death of George Floyd has a strong echo in the death in France of my little brother,” she said. “What’s happening in the United States is happening in France. Our brothers are dying.”
Traore’s family say he died after three police officers held him down, while authorities in France say the cause of death is unclear. Thousands of people attended anti-racism protests in France on Saturday. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, although police fired tear gas at one point as skirmishes broke out.Traore’s family say he died after three police officers held him down, while authorities in France say the cause of death is unclear. Thousands of people attended anti-racism protests in France on Saturday. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, although police fired tear gas at one point as skirmishes broke out.
Meanwhile, in the UK, rightwing protesters – some shouting “we are racist” – clashed with police in London. The protesters claimed they were protecting monuments from vandalism. The UK home secretary, Priti Patel, condemned the protests as “thuggery”.Meanwhile, in the UK, rightwing protesters – some shouting “we are racist” – clashed with police in London. The protesters claimed they were protecting monuments from vandalism. The UK home secretary, Priti Patel, condemned the protests as “thuggery”.
“Thoroughly unacceptable thuggery. Any perpetrators of violence or vandalism should expect to face the full force of the law. Violence towards our police officers will not be tolerated,” said Patel on Twitter.“Thoroughly unacceptable thuggery. Any perpetrators of violence or vandalism should expect to face the full force of the law. Violence towards our police officers will not be tolerated,” said Patel on Twitter.
US embassies around the world have been the sites of protests over the last few weeks, but on Saturday the embassy in South Korea tweeted in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.US embassies around the world have been the sites of protests over the last few weeks, but on Saturday the embassy in South Korea tweeted in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.
“The US Embassy stands in solidarity with fellow Americans grieving and peacefully protesting to demand positive change,” wrote the Seoul embassy on its Twitter account. “Our #BlackLivesMatter banner shows our support for the fight against racial injustice and police brutality as we strive to be a more inclusive & just society.”“The US Embassy stands in solidarity with fellow Americans grieving and peacefully protesting to demand positive change,” wrote the Seoul embassy on its Twitter account. “Our #BlackLivesMatter banner shows our support for the fight against racial injustice and police brutality as we strive to be a more inclusive & just society.”
New York governor Andrew Cuomo has said that local governments in the state must redesign their police forces by 1 April next year or they will not receive funding. The statement comes in the wake of protests of police killings of African Americans.New York governor Andrew Cuomo has said that local governments in the state must redesign their police forces by 1 April next year or they will not receive funding. The statement comes in the wake of protests of police killings of African Americans.
“If you don’t do it, local government, you won’t get any state funding, period,” he said in a press briefing on Saturday. “We heard you … we agree with you protesters.. now tell us what the police force should look like,” he added.“If you don’t do it, local government, you won’t get any state funding, period,” he said in a press briefing on Saturday. “We heard you … we agree with you protesters.. now tell us what the police force should look like,” he added.
Cuomo also said that 32 people had died from coronavirus in New York over the last 24 hours, the lowest total since the start of the pandemic.Cuomo also said that 32 people had died from coronavirus in New York over the last 24 hours, the lowest total since the start of the pandemic.
A high-ranking ABC News executive, Barbara Fedida, has been placed on administrative leave after a story was published today by HuffPost detailing allegations of racist and inappropriate statements.A high-ranking ABC News executive, Barbara Fedida, has been placed on administrative leave after a story was published today by HuffPost detailing allegations of racist and inappropriate statements.
According to the report by Yashar Ali, Fedida made a racist remark during contract negotiations with Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, who is black. During the negotiations, one source who was in the room claims that Fedida, who was the network’s head of talent, said ABC was not asking Roberts “to pick cotton.” She also is said to have described a black contributor as “low rent”.According to the report by Yashar Ali, Fedida made a racist remark during contract negotiations with Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, who is black. During the negotiations, one source who was in the room claims that Fedida, who was the network’s head of talent, said ABC was not asking Roberts “to pick cotton.” She also is said to have described a black contributor as “low rent”.
According to Ali, Fedida had been the subject of dozens of complaints from workers at ABC News, and the network has paid out millions of dollars in settlements to former staff over her behaviour. She is also said to have stifled job opportunities for black members of staff.According to Ali, Fedida had been the subject of dozens of complaints from workers at ABC News, and the network has paid out millions of dollars in settlements to former staff over her behaviour. She is also said to have stifled job opportunities for black members of staff.
“There are deeply disturbing allegations in this story that we need to investigate, and we have placed Barbara Fedida on administrative leave while we conduct a thorough and complete investigation,” ABC News said in the wake of Ali’s story. “These allegations do not represent the values and culture of ABC News, where we strive to make everyone feel respected in a thriving, diverse and inclusive workplace.”“There are deeply disturbing allegations in this story that we need to investigate, and we have placed Barbara Fedida on administrative leave while we conduct a thorough and complete investigation,” ABC News said in the wake of Ali’s story. “These allegations do not represent the values and culture of ABC News, where we strive to make everyone feel respected in a thriving, diverse and inclusive workplace.”
In an statement issued through her attorney, Fedida described the allegations as “misleading”.In an statement issued through her attorney, Fedida described the allegations as “misleading”.
“Throughout my career, I have been a champion for increased diversity in network news,” read the statement. “Building a news division where everyone can thrive has been my life’s mission. I am proud of my decades of work of hiring, supporting and promoting talented journalists of color. And, unlike these heartbreaking and incredibly misleading claims about me, that track record is well-documented and undeniable.”“Throughout my career, I have been a champion for increased diversity in network news,” read the statement. “Building a news division where everyone can thrive has been my life’s mission. I am proud of my decades of work of hiring, supporting and promoting talented journalists of color. And, unlike these heartbreaking and incredibly misleading claims about me, that track record is well-documented and undeniable.”
A group called Republican Voters Against Trump have highlighted South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham’s somewhat ... contradictory statements on the president. The video starts with an interview from Graham in 2015 in which he says of Trump: “He’s a race baiting, xenophobic religious bigot,” before adding: “You know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell.”A group called Republican Voters Against Trump have highlighted South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham’s somewhat ... contradictory statements on the president. The video starts with an interview from Graham in 2015 in which he says of Trump: “He’s a race baiting, xenophobic religious bigot,” before adding: “You know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell.”
Graham is then seen in another video from 2015 saying that “if you can’t admire Joe Biden as a person, you’ve got a problem. You need to do some self-evaluation, ‘cause, what’s not to like?” Biden is the presumptive Democratic candidate for this year’s presidential election.Graham is then seen in another video from 2015 saying that “if you can’t admire Joe Biden as a person, you’ve got a problem. You need to do some self-evaluation, ‘cause, what’s not to like?” Biden is the presumptive Democratic candidate for this year’s presidential election.
Graham is up for reelection in November for the Senate, where he will face off against Democrat Jaime Harrison. Graham has faced criticism from Republicans and Democrats for switching from a vocal critic of Trump to one of his most loyal supporters.Graham is up for reelection in November for the Senate, where he will face off against Democrat Jaime Harrison. Graham has faced criticism from Republicans and Democrats for switching from a vocal critic of Trump to one of his most loyal supporters.
The Houston Police Department has relieved one of its members of their duties after the officer wrote a post on social media with “racial undertones”. In the since deleted post, the officer blamed the black community for its own problems. ABC13 reported the officer had been a member of the HPD for 25 years.The Houston Police Department has relieved one of its members of their duties after the officer wrote a post on social media with “racial undertones”. In the since deleted post, the officer blamed the black community for its own problems. ABC13 reported the officer had been a member of the HPD for 25 years.
The president of the Houston Police Officers’ Union, Joe Gamaldi, condemned the post on Twitter.The president of the Houston Police Officers’ Union, Joe Gamaldi, condemned the post on Twitter.
“I am aware of a post circulating that is reported to come from one of our officers,” he wrote. “It is is vile, it is is disgusting, I know it is under investigation but I am confident the @houstonpolice department will act swiftly. This is not who we are as Houston Police Officers.”“I am aware of a post circulating that is reported to come from one of our officers,” he wrote. “It is is vile, it is is disgusting, I know it is under investigation but I am confident the @houstonpolice department will act swiftly. This is not who we are as Houston Police Officers.”
Trump ends his address by saying that “America will always prevail” and thanking the graduating class. He is greeted with polite applause by the graduates after he ends his speech. There was little of the freewheeling you see from Trump at rallies and press conferences and he appeared to stick to the script. There was only a passing reference to the unrest that has roiled the country recently.Trump ends his address by saying that “America will always prevail” and thanking the graduating class. He is greeted with polite applause by the graduates after he ends his speech. There was little of the freewheeling you see from Trump at rallies and press conferences and he appeared to stick to the script. There was only a passing reference to the unrest that has roiled the country recently.
Trump outlines his isolationist message by telling the graduates that the US is not “the policeman of the world” but says if “our people are threatened, we will never hesitate to act”. He adds that his administration has embarked on a “colossal” rebuilding of the armed forces after it was depleted by “endless wars”.Trump outlines his isolationist message by telling the graduates that the US is not “the policeman of the world” but says if “our people are threatened, we will never hesitate to act”. He adds that his administration has embarked on a “colossal” rebuilding of the armed forces after it was depleted by “endless wars”.
He also returns to one of his pet projects, saying that the new Space Force is a “big deal”. Trump then pays tribute to CJ Morgan, a member of the graduating class killed in a training accident.He also returns to one of his pet projects, saying that the new Space Force is a “big deal”. Trump then pays tribute to CJ Morgan, a member of the graduating class killed in a training accident.
As the president gives his speech protesters have gathered outside West Point:As the president gives his speech protesters have gathered outside West Point: