George Floyd protests summary 2 june | Minneapolis, US riots, reactions, Trump, Anonymous...
George Floyd death sparks protests in US: latest updates, 3 June
"The investigation will review MPD's policies, procedures and practices over the last 10 years to determine if the department has utilized systemic discriminatory practices towards people of color," Walz said. It remains to be seen if this will have any lasting effect but there does seem to be a willingness to investigate how the police department treats people of color.
To follow our live coverage for today, Wednesday June 3, please click here.
China jibes US on human rights ahead of June 4 anniversary after Trump criticised China's handling of coronavirus
Chinese state media has been revelling in days of chaotic protests in the United States and highlighting President Donald Trump's threat to use troops, even as the anniversary looms of its own military crackdown on demonstrators 31 years ago.
For days, Chinese media has prominently covered the protests in the aftermath of the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, contrasting it with support from U.S. politicians for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Last year's Hong Kong protests, which sometimes turned violent, prompted Beijing last month to announce it would impose national security legislation on the former British colony.
Hu Xijin, editor of the Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily, said the United States was marking the Tiananmen anniversary "in a unique way".
Nancy Pelosi continues to contradict Donald Trump's view of the current situation in the United States. And so do several Democrats. On particularly scathing comment came from an Illinois senator.
"Walking like lapdogs behind a five-time draft dodging coward who is more interested in looking like a leader than actually being one," Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who lost both legs in combat as a military helicopter pilot in Iraq, said of Esper and Milley, "sends a horrifying message to our troops — including our black and brown troops — that our military's leaders will not protect them from unlawful orders."
George Floyd Protests: Los Angeles and New York curfews, toughest in decades
LA authorities have imposed the strictest curfew since the Rodney King riots and NYC is on the toughest lockdown since the Harlem race riots in 1943.
Lewis Hamilton was very upset at the silence Formula One met George Floyd's death and the ensuing protests with. He has since said: "The injustice we are seeing our brothers and sisters face all over the world time and time again is disgusting and must stop."
Mother of George Floyd's daughter remembers 'a good man'
The mother of George Floyd's six-year-old daughter, Gianna, made an emotional plea for the world to remember Floyd as a good father and good man, not just a name or a rallying cry.
"I wanted everybody to know that this is what those officers took from me," Roxie Washington said, Gianna standing by her side.
"At the end of the day, they get to go home and be with their families," she added. "Gianna does not have a father. He will never see her grow up, graduate. He will never walk her down the aisle. If there's a problem she's having and she needs a dad, she does not have that any more."
"I'm here for George because I want justice for him," Washington said.
Pope condemns racism and violence in U.S., calls for national reconciliation
Pope Francis broke his silence on the unrest in the United States on Wednesday, saying no one can "turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion" but condemning violence as "self-destructive and self-defeating."
Francis, who dedicated the entire English-language section of his weekly audience to the U.S. situation, implored God for national reconciliation and peace. He called the death of George Floyd tragic, and said he was praying for him and all those who had been killed as a result of the "sin of racism".
'How did we get here?': Trump has normalised mayhem and the US is paying the price
The strange thing about all of this is that it somehow feels normal. In this opinion piece by Julian Borger, he says Trump has made chaos normal.
George Floyd’s hometown of Houston held a memorial march for him on Tuesday, where attendees recounted a “gentle giant” whose legacy had helped the city largely avoid the violent protests seen elsewhere in the United States.
"The large crowd remains on SW 4th and Taylor near the fencing surrounding the Justice Center. We appreciate that no one is trying to tamper with the fence. Let's keep this peaceful."
It turns out that it didn't last very long, however, as police start to use tear gas on the crowds.
Jay-Z probably knows what he was doing here. Donald Trump once took a full-page ads out in four New York newspapers calling for the return of the death penalty. Mr. Trump said he wanted the ''criminals of every age'' who were accused of beating and raping a jogger in Central Park 12 days earlier ''to be afraid.''
Most Americans sympathize with protests, disapprove of Trump's response (Reuters)
A majority of Americans sympathize with nationwide protests over the death of an unarmed black man in police custody and disapprove of President Donald Trump’s response to the unrest, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday.
"This is chaos, it's exactly what everybody feared"
Author Howard Bryant speaks to Ireland's Second Captains podcast about what is happening in the US now.
LeBron, Man United, FIFA and the world of sport add social media support to #BlackoutTuesday
LeBron, Man United, FIFA and the world of sport add social media support to #BlackoutTuesday
Pioneered initially by the music business, Blackout Tuesday is a day promoted by activists to observe, mourn and bring about policy change in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
Curfew impact in the Big Apple
CNN's Brian Stelter observing a quiet Central Park with the city on curfew as of 8pm.
George Floyd: George W. Bush speaks out on racism and protests in US
George Floyd: George W. Bush speaks out on racism and protests in US
Former President George W. Bush issued a statement on the death of George Floyd, stating that that he was “anguished” by the incident and calling “for America to examine our tragic failures” when it comes to racial injustice.
Disturbances in Paris
Footage from the Twitter account of French journalist at Yahoo, Matthieu Brandely (there is more video on his account).
Tear gas was fired and there were a number of incidents as thousands attended a banned protest in the French capital. Protesters were also paying tribute to Adama Traore, a 24-year-old black man who died in French police custody in 2016.
Senate Democrats ready bill condemning Trump
Democrats in the Senate Senate are readying a measure condemning President Donald Trump for the tear-gassing of peaceful protesters at the White House, saying they would seek unanimous support for the bill. Majority Republicans are, of course, expected to block it.
"Congress condemns the President of the United States for ordering federal officers to use gas and rubber bullets against the Americans who were peaceably protesting," the resolution states.
One Republican did speak out against the president, Senator Ben Sasse, who said: "I'm against clearing out a peaceful protest for a photo op that treats the Word of God as a political prop."
More than 60,000 protest in Houston
In Houston, where George Floyd was raised, more than 60,000 people attended a downtown rally, according to organisers.
Protesters out in Orlando
The Orlando police report a big group of demonstrators moving through downtown.
Barr ordered authorities to clear protesters
Just before Trump spoke last night in the White House Rose Garden you could clearly hear tear gas being fired to clear the protesters. When Barr arrived ahead of Trump's speech he saw the protesters and told police to clear the area, and to use crowd control measures if there was any resistance.
The police gave three warnings before charging the crowd with shields raised and striking protesters with batons.
Derek Chauvin's wife files for divorce, requests to change last name
The wife of Derek Chauvin, the sacked police officer charged with murder after kneeling on George Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes until he died, has filed for divorce and requested a last-name change and titles to both the couples' homes. Prior to the marriage she went by the names of Kellie Thao and Kellie Xiong. After the death of George Floyd she said she was "devastated by Mr. Floyd's death and her utmost sympathy lies with his family, with his loved ones and with everyone who is grieving this tragedy."
Premier League footballers encouraged to show support for Black Lives Matter protests
UK group Kick it out backs shows of solidarity
FIFA have asked for "common sense" (always a dangerous concept). Remember Jadon Sancho was booked for his 'Justice for George Floyd' message on Sunday, although the German FA are going to review the card.
Mayweather to pay for George Floyd funeral
Mayweather Promotions chief executive Leonard Ellerbe says the boxer is picking up the tab. Remember, the owner of the Cup Foods grocery store, outside which Floyd was killed, also offered to pay for the funeral.
Trump brands protesters "lowlifes and losers"
In contrast to Joe Biden's calls for unity, US President Donald Trump has just posted a tweet branding protesters in New York "lowlifes and losers" as he urged the city to "CALL UP THE NATIONAL GUARD" to quell the unrest.
George Floyd death a "wake-up call" - Biden
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says the killing of George Floyd is a "wake-up call for our nation" and has said the United States needs "leadership that brings us together".
"The country is crying out for leadership," Biden said. "Leadership that can unite us. Leadership that brings us together. Leadership that can recognize pain and deep grief of communities that have had a knee on their neck for a long time."
"All charges are on the table", says Minnesota AG
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has told Good Morning America that charges could be brought "very soon" against other police officers involved in the killing of George Floyd.
Ellison, who took over the case on Sunday, added that "all charges are on the table" when asked if the third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin, the officer who knelt on Floyd's neck, could be upgraded to first degree.
Trump's new wall
As the president remains in the White House, fortifications have been going up around him.
NFL plead their case
Many are struggling with the messages of support from the National Football League after what happened with Colin Kaepernick.
Police kneel in solidarity
Amid the chaos and horrific scenes that have been circulating, we have also seen conciliatory moments between peaceful protestors (the vast majority) and the police. Some leaders could take note.
Australian PM calls for investigation
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is asking for an investigation into the 'troubling incident' that saw 7NEWS US correspondent Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers pushed back during a report.
Staying in France, this view shows a detail which translates as 'let us breathe' of a mural memorial in Nantes, western France on 2 June 2020, made in memory of the late George Floyd. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP)
Paris bans demo over black Frenchman who died in 2016 police operation
Paris police banned on Tuesday a demonstration planned in memory of Adama Traore, a 24-year old black Frenchman who died in a 2016 police operation which some have likened to the death of George Floyd in the United States, Reuters report.
The Paris police department said in a statement that there were risks of social disorder and health dangers from large gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic. The demonstration had drawn attention on social media in France from those supporting the 'Black Lives Matter' movement and backing protests in the United States.
Violent demonstrations broke out in France in 2016 after Traore died while being driven to a police station following his arrest over an altercation in the Val d’Oise area north of the French capital.
George Floyd killing | related stories
Scroll through some of the stories connected to the death of George Floyd and what has happened since
Situation catch up
We have been covering the fallout of the killing of George Floyd for over a week now and we have now seen seven nights of protests. Here are some of the headlines from yesterday's live feed:
- "I am your president of law and order" says Trump as he vows to deploy the military as required
- Mayweather offers to cover funeral costs for George Floyd
- Kentucky restaurateur killed and Louisville police chief fired
- 'Unacceptable actions' blast NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio
- Four officers with the St. Louis Police Department in Missouri struck by gunfire
George Floyd death: latest updates
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the reactions and protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd.
The background
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died on Monday 25 May after pleading for help as police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck to pin him down. Floyd was unarmed and already handcuffed. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Footage shot by a bystander shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck, as he pleads that he cannot breath, until he slowly stops talking and moving.
The death has provoked widespread protests, initially in the city where Floyd was killed, Minneapolis, but which have now spread across the US.