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ABC News executive placed on leave after allegations of racist remarks – live ABC News executive placed on leave after allegations of racist remarks – live
(32 minutes later)
Barbara Fedida placed on administrative leave after HuffPost article detailed allegations including a racist comment to Robin RobertsBarbara Fedida placed on administrative leave after HuffPost article detailed allegations including a racist comment to Robin Roberts
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.
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 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.
“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.
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.
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:
Trump congratulates the Army football team for ending arch-rivals Navy’s winning streak, which draws a big cheer from the graduates.
Trump mentions how the army has helped win the battle against slavery and communism, and helped protect civil rights (although some West Point graduates fought for the Confederacy in the civil war).
Trump asks the cadets to stand and applaud their parents and families, which they do. The president then brings in some politics, repeating an old, unproven claim as he thanks the military for helping fight Covid-19, a virus “that came from a foreign land called China”.
The superintendent of the US Military Academy, Darryl A Williams, stands to make his address. He shares a stage with Trump – everyone on the platform with the president has been tested for Covid-19. He then introduces Trump.
The president congratulates the class on graduating, and talks about the achievements of the US army down the years. It’s usual Trump language with plenty of talk of large weapons and enemies who have been sent through the “gates of hell”. He thanks the graduates for answering “their nation’s call”.
The West Point band plays some musical with a few speeches peppered in between. There are a few references to the army being open to all communities and races, possibly a reference to the recent protests. But they mainly pay tribute to the military – and America – as a whole.
Donald Trump has arrived at West Point amid a 21-gun salute. He will soon address the more than 1,000 graduates at the United States Military Academy. It’s a beautiful morning in New York state and the ceremony will take place outside, with the graduates sat 6ft apart.
A lawyer for the family of George Floyd says they will file a civil lawsuit against Derek Chauvin, the police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck in the minutes leading up to his death.
“[Floyd’s family] intends on holding Derek Chauvin fully accountable in every aspect, criminal and civil,” Benjamin Crump told CNN on Saturday.
Chauvin is also facing a second-degree murder charge over the killing of Floyd last month. CNN reports that Chauvin could still receive more than $1m in pension payments even if he is convicted.
Crump also said that problems in Minneapolis went far beyond Chauvin. “It wasn’t just the knee of Derek Chauvin that killed George Floyd in Minneapolis, it was the knee of the entire police department,” he said. “Because when you have that kind of culture and behavior of a police department, it is foreseeable that something like this is going to happen.”
At West Point this morning Donald Trump will deliver a speech controversial by its very occurrence and due to tensions between the president and leaders of the US armed forces.
With New York state only beginning its reopening after the coronavirus outbreak, Trump will address graduates at the United States Military Academy, 40 miles up the Hudson river from New York City.
The city has been a global hotspot for Covid-19, recording more than 213,000 cases and more than 21,000 deaths.
Across the US, graduation ceremonies and commencement speeches have taken place online. But the 1,100 graduating cadets at West Point, who had been at home since early March, just before lockdowns began, were brought back to campus late last month.
They immediately underwent coronavirus testing and more than 15 who tested positive were isolated for two weeks before rejoining their classmates.
Some have decried the decision to bring the graduating second lieutenants back to campus to hear the president speak during a public health crisis. A group called Veterans For Peace announced a protest outside West Point’s main gate on Saturday, against what it called “Trump’s dangerous narcissistic Photo-Op Stunt at the West Point Graduation”.
Further strain has been placed on what would normally be one of the showpiece events of US public life by Trump’s pronouncements and actions in regard to widespread civil unrest over the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.
The president both threatened to use active duty troops against protesters and staged a controversial photo op at St John’s church, near the White House, before which peaceful demonstrators were teargassed and attacked by federal officers.
Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the defense secretary, Mark Esper, joined Trump on his walk to the church. Both have said they should not have done so.
A pertinent story coming out of Atlanta as protests continue over, among other things, police killings in the United States.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is looking into an incident during which Atlanta police shot and killed a man. Police responded to a report that a man was asleep in a car and blocking traffic at a Wendy’s drive-thru. The GBI says there was a struggle when police attempted to take the man 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.
A small crowd gathered at the site of the shooting to protest at the death, according to the Associated Press. The identity of the dead man has not been released. Reports on social media – which have not been confirmed – say he was African American.
Hello, welcome to our live coverage of the ongoing protests against racism and police brutality in the US and around the world, now into their third week since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on 25 May.
Donald Trump will address US military graduates at West Point this morning, at a time when the president looks increasingly out of touch with the public – and many within his own party. We’ll be covering his address and events from around the country and the world. In the meantime, here’s David Smith on Trump’s last few weeks: