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/15/rayshard-brooks-black-lives-matter-george-floyd-donald-trump-live-updates

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Black Lives Matter protests: Atlanta shooting of Rayshard Brooks declared homicide – live Black Lives Matter protests: Atlanta shooting of Rayshard Brooks declared homicide – live
(32 minutes later)
Democrats call for police reform, Republicans expected to unveil their proposals, as medical examiner declares Brooks shooting a homicideDemocrats call for police reform, Republicans expected to unveil their proposals, as medical examiner declares Brooks shooting a homicide
L Chris Stewart, an attorney for the family of Rayshard Brooks, criticized police officers for firing their weapons in a crowded Wendy’s parking lot.
Stewart said another man had sent a photo of his car, which was in the parking lot and was hit by a bullet when a white police officer shot at Brooks as he ran away.
Stewart said the police officer could have caused another death if the bullet landed just a few inches higher than it did.
The family of Rayshard Brooks is holding a press conference in Atlanta, Georgia, after Brooks was shot and killed by a white police officer.
Brooks’ cousin said the trust between the Atlanta community and its police department had been “broken” and called for the officer involved to be convicted.
The press conference comes one day after a medical examiner concluded that Brooks died by homicide caused by gunshot wounds to the back.
Joe Biden has released a statement celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision on LGBTQ+ workers’ rights, calling it a “momentous step forward for our country.”
“Bfore today, in more than half of states, LGBTQ+ people could get married one day and be fired from their job the next day under state law, simply because of who they are or who they love,” the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said.
“This landmark 6-3 ruling affirms that LGBTQ+ Americans are entitled to equal rights under the law.”
The former vice president noted the decision came in the middle of Pride Month, which celebrates LGBTQ+ history.
“This decision is another step in our march towards equality for all,” Biden said. “And while we celebrate this victory today, we know that our work is not yet done. As President, I look forward to signing into law the Equality Act, protecting the civil rights of LGBTQ+ Americans, and championing equal rights for all Americans.”
A Black Lives Matter banner has been removed from the US embassy in Seoul, after Trump expressed displeasure about it, according to Bloomberg News.A Black Lives Matter banner has been removed from the US embassy in Seoul, after Trump expressed displeasure about it, according to Bloomberg News.
Bloomberg reports:Bloomberg reports:
The embassy unveiled the banner on Saturday in support of the George Floyd protests, saying in a tweet that it “stands in solidarity with fellow Americans grieving and peacefully protesting to demand positive change.”The embassy unveiled the banner on Saturday in support of the George Floyd protests, saying in a tweet that it “stands in solidarity with fellow Americans grieving and peacefully protesting to demand positive change.”
The Supreme Court also rejected the Trump administration’s challenge to California’s “sanctuary law,” marking a defeat for a president who has made immgiration a central focus of his term.The Supreme Court also rejected the Trump administration’s challenge to California’s “sanctuary law,” marking a defeat for a president who has made immgiration a central focus of his term.
The administration had asked the court to review the law, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.The administration had asked the court to review the law, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
The justices decided not to hear the case, although conservative justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito disagreed with the decision.The justices decided not to hear the case, although conservative justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito disagreed with the decision.
Trump has repeatedly criticized California’s law and others like it, accusing state leaders of attempting to circumvent the federal government on immigration.Trump has repeatedly criticized California’s law and others like it, accusing state leaders of attempting to circumvent the federal government on immigration.
The six to three verdict is the biggest victory for LGBTQ+ rights since the court upheld marriage equality in 2015.The six to three verdict is the biggest victory for LGBTQ+ rights since the court upheld marriage equality in 2015.
“Today, we must decide whether an employer can fire someone simply for being homosexual or transgender. The answer is clear. An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions it would not have questioned in members of a different sex. Sex plays a necessary and undisguisable role in the decision, exactly what Title VII forbids,” justice Neil Gorsuch wrote.“Today, we must decide whether an employer can fire someone simply for being homosexual or transgender. The answer is clear. An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions it would not have questioned in members of a different sex. Sex plays a necessary and undisguisable role in the decision, exactly what Title VII forbids,” justice Neil Gorsuch wrote.
The three cases the court heard, Altitude Express Inc v Zarda, Bostock v Clayton county, and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC concerned whether or not a federal ban on sex discrimination forbids employment discrimination against LGBTQ+ workers.The three cases the court heard, Altitude Express Inc v Zarda, Bostock v Clayton county, and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC concerned whether or not a federal ban on sex discrimination forbids employment discrimination against LGBTQ+ workers.
The Harris Funeral Homes case centered on Aimee Stephens, a trans woman fired after her boss claimed it would violate “God’s commands” if he allowed her “to deny [her] sex while acting as a representative of [the] organization.”The Harris Funeral Homes case centered on Aimee Stephens, a trans woman fired after her boss claimed it would violate “God’s commands” if he allowed her “to deny [her] sex while acting as a representative of [the] organization.”
Donald Zarda and Gerald Bostock, both gay men, alleged they were fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation.Donald Zarda and Gerald Bostock, both gay men, alleged they were fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation.
The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a defeat for the Trump administration, who had argued against expanding the scope of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a defeat for the Trump administration, who had argued against expanding the scope of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The court’s 6-3 decision was interestingly written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, who was nominated by Trump. Chief justice John Roberts and the court’s four liberals joined the decision.The court’s 6-3 decision was interestingly written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, who was nominated by Trump. Chief justice John Roberts and the court’s four liberals joined the decision.
The Supreme Court has ruled that existing federal law protects gay and transgender employees from job discrimination, marking a victory for LGBT rights advocates.The Supreme Court has ruled that existing federal law protects gay and transgender employees from job discrimination, marking a victory for LGBT rights advocates.
The justices said Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids job discrimination on the basis of sex and other factors, also covers sexual orientation and gender identity.The justices said Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids job discrimination on the basis of sex and other factors, also covers sexual orientation and gender identity.
The decision comes three days after the Trump administration finalized a rule reversing protections for transgender patients under the Affordable Care Act.The decision comes three days after the Trump administration finalized a rule reversing protections for transgender patients under the Affordable Care Act.
The gun rights cases represented an opportunity for the conservative-leaning Supreme Court to expand the scope of the Second Amendment.The gun rights cases represented an opportunity for the conservative-leaning Supreme Court to expand the scope of the Second Amendment.
In declining to hear the cases, the justices leave in place state laws that gun rights activists have argued violate the right to bear arms.In declining to hear the cases, the justices leave in place state laws that gun rights activists have argued violate the right to bear arms.
The court has not heard a major gun rights case since 2010, when the justices ruled in McDonald v Chicago that state governments had a limited ability to restrict the right to bear arms.The court has not heard a major gun rights case since 2010, when the justices ruled in McDonald v Chicago that state governments had a limited ability to restrict the right to bear arms.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavnaugh argued in their dissent that the court needed to examine the issue in the wake of recent state laws imposing additional restrictions on gun ownership.Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavnaugh argued in their dissent that the court needed to examine the issue in the wake of recent state laws imposing additional restrictions on gun ownership.
“This Court would almost certainly review the constitutionality of a law requiring citizens to establish a justifiable need before exercising their free speech rights,” the pair of conservative justices wrote.“This Court would almost certainly review the constitutionality of a law requiring citizens to establish a justifiable need before exercising their free speech rights,” the pair of conservative justices wrote.
The Supreme Court has declined to take up 10 cases related to gun rights, which will leave in place lower-court decisions on issues such as owning assault weapons and openly carrying firearms.The Supreme Court has declined to take up 10 cases related to gun rights, which will leave in place lower-court decisions on issues such as owning assault weapons and openly carrying firearms.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh wrote a dissenting opinion on the court’s decision not to hear the appeals.Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh wrote a dissenting opinion on the court’s decision not to hear the appeals.
“The text of the Second Amendment protects ‘the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,’” the two justices wrote.“The text of the Second Amendment protects ‘the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,’” the two justices wrote.
“Yet, in several jurisdictions throughout the country, law-abiding citizens have been barred from exercising the fundamental right to bear arms because they cannot show that they have a ‘justifiable need’ or ‘good reason’ for doing so. One would think that such an onerous burden on a fundamental right would warrant this Court’s review.”“Yet, in several jurisdictions throughout the country, law-abiding citizens have been barred from exercising the fundamental right to bear arms because they cannot show that they have a ‘justifiable need’ or ‘good reason’ for doing so. One would think that such an onerous burden on a fundamental right would warrant this Court’s review.”
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
A top Army general has banned displays of the Confederate flag on all bases in Korea, according to the military outlet Task & Purpose.A top Army general has banned displays of the Confederate flag on all bases in Korea, according to the military outlet Task & Purpose.
Army General Robert Abrams reportedly said in a memo released early this morning that the Confederate flag “does not represent the values of U.S. Forces assigned to serve in the Republic of Korea.”Army General Robert Abrams reportedly said in a memo released early this morning that the Confederate flag “does not represent the values of U.S. Forces assigned to serve in the Republic of Korea.”
“While I acknowledge some might view it as a symbol of regional pride, many others in our force see it as a painful reminder of hate, bigotry, treason, and devaluation of humanity,” Abrams wrote in the memo.“While I acknowledge some might view it as a symbol of regional pride, many others in our force see it as a painful reminder of hate, bigotry, treason, and devaluation of humanity,” Abrams wrote in the memo.
“Regardless of perspective, one thing is clear: it has the power to inflame feelings of racial division. We cannot have that division among us.” Abrams ordered all US commanders in Korea to remove any displays of the Confederate flag.“Regardless of perspective, one thing is clear: it has the power to inflame feelings of racial division. We cannot have that division among us.” Abrams ordered all US commanders in Korea to remove any displays of the Confederate flag.
The memo comes less than a week after Trump said he would “not even consider” renaming military bases named after Confederate generals, which the Pentagon has said it is open to considering.The memo comes less than a week after Trump said he would “not even consider” renaming military bases named after Confederate generals, which the Pentagon has said it is open to considering.
Mayor Sandy Stimpson of Mobile, Alabama, has confirmed that the History Museum of Mobile has received the statue of Confederate Admiral Raphael Semmes. He says it will be displayed there in a way which places it into “the appropriate historic context”Mayor Sandy Stimpson of Mobile, Alabama, has confirmed that the History Museum of Mobile has received the statue of Confederate Admiral Raphael Semmes. He says it will be displayed there in a way which places it into “the appropriate historic context”
The statue had stood on the Mobile waterfront for 120 years until taken down on 5 June. The statue of Semmes, who died in 1877, had been erected in in 1900, the year before Alabama ratified a Constitution that established white supremacy in the state by essentially disenfranchising African Americans and poorer white citizens. It was rededicated as recently as 2000 – with a memorial plaque and ceremony featuring Confederate flags; red, white and blue balloons; and a cannon salute.The statue had stood on the Mobile waterfront for 120 years until taken down on 5 June. The statue of Semmes, who died in 1877, had been erected in in 1900, the year before Alabama ratified a Constitution that established white supremacy in the state by essentially disenfranchising African Americans and poorer white citizens. It was rededicated as recently as 2000 – with a memorial plaque and ceremony featuring Confederate flags; red, white and blue balloons; and a cannon salute.
There may yet be legal ramifications from the move. “I have no doubt that moving the statue from public display was the right thing to do for our community going forward” said Mayor Stimpson on Twitter.There may yet be legal ramifications from the move. “I have no doubt that moving the statue from public display was the right thing to do for our community going forward” said Mayor Stimpson on Twitter.
However, Attorney General Steve Marshall had sent a letter to the mayor after the statue’s removal saying the city could be subject to a $25,000 fine for permanently moving the statue, an action that would violate a state law protecting monuments over 40 years old. Marshall’s office has also been pursuing legal actions against the city of Birmingham for removing a confederate monument.However, Attorney General Steve Marshall had sent a letter to the mayor after the statue’s removal saying the city could be subject to a $25,000 fine for permanently moving the statue, an action that would violate a state law protecting monuments over 40 years old. Marshall’s office has also been pursuing legal actions against the city of Birmingham for removing a confederate monument.
Donald Trump’s proposed campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma continues to be dogged by controversy. He’s already shifted the date to avoid a clash with the Juneteenth anniversary - and drawn criticism for a disclaimer that says if you catch coronavirus by going to it, you can’t blame him.
Overnight the Tulsa World paper has come out with a strong editorial urging the president to abandon his plans altogether, saying “We don’t know why he chose Tulsa, but we can’t see any way that his visit will be good for the city.”
The paper says that once the Trump roadshow has left town, it will be local people who will have to deal with any fall-out from violent protests or the risk of an increased coronavirus spread. It goes on to say:
The paper is also reporting how locals are preparing to protest the visit.
“What follows him is a spirit of hate,” said Mareo Johnson, pastor at Seeking the Kingdom Ministries and a member of Black Lives Matter in Tulsa who is organising a protest against the Trump visit, because it will increase racial tension in the area around the time of the Juneteenth anniversary.
Johnson said. “Even if he doesn’t have those intentions, that’s what people get from him. With him coming, it will fuel hate in people.”
You can read the editorial in full: Tulsa World - This is the wrong time and Tulsa is the wrong place for the Trump rally
There’s some more detail emerging of the US air force jet that has crashed into the North Sea off the coast of England during a training mission on Monday morning.
UK search and rescue teams have being deployed to try to locate the pilot - whose status is unknown.
The pilot and plane are part of the 48th Fighter Wing stationed at RAF Lakenheath, 25 miles north-east of Cambridge, home to the largest US airforce base in England.
My colleague Dan Sabbagh has more here: US air force jet crashes into North Sea during training mission
The Associated Press are reporting that Lisa Alexander, founder and CEO of LaFace Skincare, has apologised for her role in a video that went viral earlier this week.
The video showed a couple asking James Juanillo whether he lives in a house, before asserting that they know he doesn’t live there, and is therefore breaking the law. Juanillo was stencilling a #BLM message on his own front wall. He says that after the incident, he was visited by a police officer, who recognised him as the owner of the house.
The apology from Alexander came after Birchbox, which distributes beauty products via a subscription service, announced it had cut ties with LaFace Skincare over Alexander’s widely condemned “racist actions” in calling the police over the matter.
“There are not enough words to describe how truly sorry I am for being disrespectful to him last Tuesday when I made the decision to question him about what he was doing in front of his home,” Alexander said in a statement. “I should have minded my own business. When I watch the video I am shocked and sad that I behaved the way I did.”
Juanillo said on Sunday that he would be open to talking with Alexander, who has said she wishes to apologise in person . He said in the last several days neighbours have left flowers and notes expressing support, with many adding further chalk art to the retaining wall and sidewalk.
“For me this experience has left me feeling vindicated and validated. I imagine that she regrets those couple of minutes,” he said. “Do I believe that her life should be destroyed over this? No. I just hope that she realises that what she did was racist and she can improve from this incident.”
It hasn’t just been the high profile shooting of Rayshard Brooks that has outraged the community in the US, but also the way that police forces across the country have in general been dealing violently with protesters in the last couple of weeks.
Hallie Golden has been reporting for us in Seattle on the outrage sparked by a video clip that went viral, showing a police officer firing mace at a family group that included a 7 year old child.
The boy’s father told the Guardian: “No officer, who’s paid to protect, chose to stand up, break the ranks, go help this child. I just don’t understand how any of them can sleep.”
You can read Hallie’s full report here: Outrage over video showing police macing child at Seattle protest
Chris Stewart, who is the attorney for the family of Rayshard Brooks, has also been on television this morning. He raised the issue of the mentality employed by police officers, saying “You can have all the training in the world but if you aren’t mentally understanding the community you are policing, if you aren’t mentally understanding that the value of someone’s life is more important than them running away from you, then all the training in the world won’t work”
Watch it here:
CBS News have just tweeted out a video clip of an interview they have with Tomika Miller, the widow of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot by Atlanta police in what has been declared a homicide by medical examiners.
In the clip, Miller says: “If it was my husband who shot them, he would be in jail. He would be doing a life sentence. They need to be put away.”
Of the incident itself, she said, “Even though everything happened so fast, it wouldn’t take nothing but a split-second for the other officer to say ‘Hey, calm down’. He could have told his partner ‘Calm down’”
You can watch it here:
David Sirota has written for us this morning on what he sees as the hypocrisy of Republicans who loudly criticise the “De-fund the police” movement that has swelled in recent weeks following the death of George Floyd - but who routinely de-fund the “police” that are meant to keep people safe in many areas of the economy.
Citing Republican cuts to agencies like the US Chemical Safety Board, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board among others, Sirota says:
Read it in full here: Republicans are hypocrites. They happily ‘de-funded’ the police we actually need
Overnight protesters have torn down a statue of Thomas Jefferson outside a high school that bears his name in North Portland, Oregon.
The school was the starting point for a 1,000 strong Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday evening. The statue was still intact at that point, and reports suggest it was pulled down by a smaller group after the main march had departed.
Jefferson was the third president of the US. He owned over 600 enslaved people during his life, and earlier in the day, the statue’s pedestal had been defaced with graffiti identifying Jefferson as a slave owner.
Over the weekend protesters also removed the Pioneer Mother and the Pioneer Man statues outside the Johnson Hall at the University of Oregon campus.
There’s a couple of stories that are breaking at the moment - one is that a US Air Force F15C fighter aircraft has crashed off the coast of England near Middlesbrough. The status of the pilot is not yet known.
Welcome to today’s live coverage of US politics and Black Lives Matter protests. Here are some of the key points from yesterday and overnight, and what we can expect to see later on.
The death of Rayshard Brooks was a homicide caused by gunshot wounds to the back, a medical examiner said, as the US headed into a fourth week of unrest over police violence.
Democrats call for police reform in wake of Brooks killing. Leading Democrats said on Sunday the killing of an Atlanta man underlined the need for significant change in US law enforcement.
A Russian court has convicted US citizen Paul Whelan on espionage charges. The former marine and corporate security officer has been sentenced to 16 years in a Russian high-security prison.
The president is back from his weekend golfing trip, during which he claimed that the ‘radical left’ has ‘taken over’ Seattle. He will have lunch with VP Mike Pence before hosting a roundtable at the White House on “Fighting for America’s Seniors”. Mike Pompeo is due to talk to European Union foreign ministers.
Joe Biden is at a fund-raising event - while his potential pick for running mate Sen. Kamala Harris is talking at the National Urban League conference.
You can get in touch with me on martin.belam@theguardian.com - I’ll be here for a couple of hours before handing over to my East coast colleagues.