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Live Updates on George Floyd Protests: A National Movement Live Updates on George Floyd Protests: A National Movement
(32 minutes later)
Demonstrations that began as spontaneous eruptions of outrage after the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police two weeks ago coalesced this weekend into a nationwide movement calling for police reforms and racial justice.Demonstrations that began as spontaneous eruptions of outrage after the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police two weeks ago coalesced this weekend into a nationwide movement calling for police reforms and racial justice.
Tens of thousands gathered in big cities like New York, Washington and Seattle and small towns like Vidor, Texas, and Marion, Ohio — in swelling crowds that have been multiethnic, spanning generations and overwhelmingly peaceful. The movement has also spread around the world, with protests this weekend in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.Tens of thousands gathered in big cities like New York, Washington and Seattle and small towns like Vidor, Texas, and Marion, Ohio — in swelling crowds that have been multiethnic, spanning generations and overwhelmingly peaceful. The movement has also spread around the world, with protests this weekend in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.
The calls for change come as United States faces its starkest economic crisis since the Great Depression, largely the result of measures put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus, which has claimed more than 110,000 lives in the country.The calls for change come as United States faces its starkest economic crisis since the Great Depression, largely the result of measures put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus, which has claimed more than 110,000 lives in the country.
Both the economic and the health crises have disproportionately hurt blacks and other minorities and highlighted the nation’s persistent social inequalities.Both the economic and the health crises have disproportionately hurt blacks and other minorities and highlighted the nation’s persistent social inequalities.
Although policing is largely a local matter — and some cities and states have begun acting on calls for reform — one common theme has bound the demonstrations together: Black lives matter.Although policing is largely a local matter — and some cities and states have begun acting on calls for reform — one common theme has bound the demonstrations together: Black lives matter.
“Enough is enough,” said Ji’Mie Lane, who marched in a protest along Central Park in Manhattan with her 6-year-old son this weekend. “We want as fair rights as everyone. I’m a mom, and the way George Floyd cried, it just broke my heart.”“Enough is enough,” said Ji’Mie Lane, who marched in a protest along Central Park in Manhattan with her 6-year-old son this weekend. “We want as fair rights as everyone. I’m a mom, and the way George Floyd cried, it just broke my heart.”
Across New York City, peaceful demonstrators defied an 8 p.m. curfew. But after more than a week of images flooding social media of the police cornering, roughly arresting and sometimes beating protesters while trying to clear the streets, the police took a different posture on Saturday, allowing peaceful marches long into the night.Across New York City, peaceful demonstrators defied an 8 p.m. curfew. But after more than a week of images flooding social media of the police cornering, roughly arresting and sometimes beating protesters while trying to clear the streets, the police took a different posture on Saturday, allowing peaceful marches long into the night.
Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote on Twitter early Sunday morning that the curfew was being lifted “effective immediately.”Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote on Twitter early Sunday morning that the curfew was being lifted “effective immediately.”
Many of Saturday’s gatherings appeared larger than previous rallies, especially the one in Washington. At one point it seemed as if the entire city had emptied into downtown, as lines of protesters snaked their way through side streets while others converged in nearby parks before making their way to Lafayette Square outside the White House.Many of Saturday’s gatherings appeared larger than previous rallies, especially the one in Washington. At one point it seemed as if the entire city had emptied into downtown, as lines of protesters snaked their way through side streets while others converged in nearby parks before making their way to Lafayette Square outside the White House.
By early evening, the rally had the feel of a street fair. Ice cream trucks idled on the side of the road, parents rolled tired children in strollers, and people played guitars and harmonicas. Music was playing from the backs of cars. Some people danced.By early evening, the rally had the feel of a street fair. Ice cream trucks idled on the side of the road, parents rolled tired children in strollers, and people played guitars and harmonicas. Music was playing from the backs of cars. Some people danced.
Although Saturday’s demonstrations were overwhelmingly peaceful, President Trump continued to hammer home a familiar message.Although Saturday’s demonstrations were overwhelmingly peaceful, President Trump continued to hammer home a familiar message.
“LAW & ORDER!” he wrote on Twitter on Saturday evening.“LAW & ORDER!” he wrote on Twitter on Saturday evening.
The capital’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, has given her own response to the protests: She renamed an area outside the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”The capital’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, has given her own response to the protests: She renamed an area outside the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”
Appearing Sunday morning on Fox News, Mayor Bowser said there had been no arrests at the protests on Saturday. She criticized the Trump administration’s moves last week to use troops and federal officers to rein in street protests.
“What we saw last week was basically an invasion of our city,” she said. “What you saw — and I won’t have it reduced to a spat — was how I have to defend our taxpayers, and it’s sad to say, we would have to defend ourselves against federal forces.”
Democrats in Congress are preparing sweeping legislation that would make it easier to prosecute police misconduct and recover damages from officers found to have violated civil rights. But some architects of the bill are stopping short of explicitly embracing what many protesters across the country are demanding: to “defund the police.”Democrats in Congress are preparing sweeping legislation that would make it easier to prosecute police misconduct and recover damages from officers found to have violated civil rights. But some architects of the bill are stopping short of explicitly embracing what many protesters across the country are demanding: to “defund the police.”
“I don’t believe that you should disband police departments,” Karen Bass, Democrat of California and chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Sunday on the CNN program “State of the Union.” “But I do think that in cities and states, we need to look at how we are spending resources and invest more in our communities.”“I don’t believe that you should disband police departments,” Karen Bass, Democrat of California and chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Sunday on the CNN program “State of the Union.” “But I do think that in cities and states, we need to look at how we are spending resources and invest more in our communities.”
The legislation, which is scheduled for formal release on Monday, would significantly change federal law and require states and municipalities to make modifications of their own, like instituting mandatory bias training to qualify for federal funds, according to a draft summary obtained by the New York Times. The legislation, which is scheduled for formal release on Monday, would significantly change federal law and require states and municipalities to make modifications of their own, such as instituting mandatory bias training to qualify for federal funds, according to a draft summary obtained by The New York Times.
The bill would also create a national registry to track police misconduct, and would ban certain chokeholds and other tactics that police officers have used in confrontations that left black Americans dead. The bill would also create a national registry to track police misconduct, and it would ban certain chokeholds and other tactics that police officers have used in confrontations that left black Americans dead.
Protesters have embraced “defund the police” as a rallying cry, with some activists painting the phrase alongside the new yellow “Black Lives Matter” pavement mural in the center of downtown Washington. Protesters have embraced “defund the police” as a rallying cry, with some activists painting the phrase alongside the new yellow “Black Lives Matter” message on a street near the White House in the center of downtown Washington.
But what the cry means has not always been clear, with the term seeming to sweep in everything from trimming police budgets and redistributing the money to social programs, to completely abolishing police departments.But what the cry means has not always been clear, with the term seeming to sweep in everything from trimming police budgets and redistributing the money to social programs, to completely abolishing police departments.
Alicia Garza, one of the activists who helped found the Black Lives Matter movement, explained the slogan as a call to examine how “we reorganize our priorities, so people don’t have to be in the streets during a national pandemic, a global pandemic.”Alicia Garza, one of the activists who helped found the Black Lives Matter movement, explained the slogan as a call to examine how “we reorganize our priorities, so people don’t have to be in the streets during a national pandemic, a global pandemic.”
“I understand clearly the sentiment and substance behind the slogan,” said Senator Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey, though he added that “it’s not a slogan I will use.” Still, he warned against dismissing it outright.“I understand clearly the sentiment and substance behind the slogan,” said Senator Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey, though he added that “it’s not a slogan I will use.” Still, he warned against dismissing it outright.
Speaking on the NBC program “Meet the Press,” he reflected on his time as mayor of Newark, when police officers questioned why they were being used to deal with the “fragility and vulnerability of our society.”Speaking on the NBC program “Meet the Press,” he reflected on his time as mayor of Newark, when police officers questioned why they were being used to deal with the “fragility and vulnerability of our society.”
“We are overpoliced as a society,” Mr. Booker said. “We are investing in police, which is not solving problems, but making them worse. We should be a more compassionate country, a more loving country.”“We are overpoliced as a society,” Mr. Booker said. “We are investing in police, which is not solving problems, but making them worse. We should be a more compassionate country, a more loving country.”
President Trump’s threat to deploy federal troops in U.S. cities has continued to roil Washington as tensions between the White House and the Pentagon escalated and the Army launched an investigation into the use of military helicopters in the nation’s capital on Monday. Arguments over whether to use troops in the streets of Washington to control civilian protests continued to roil on Sunday, even as the troops’ presence receded.
Top Pentagon officials ordered National Guard helicopters to use what they called “persistent presence” to disperse protests in the capital this past week, according to military officials. The loosely worded order prompted a series of low-altitude maneuvers that mimicked a kind of display of force usually reserved for combat zones. Attorney General William P. Barr said on Sunday that he would support the use of troops as a last resort to suppress protests and riots, even over the objection of state governors, as President Trump had threatened to do.
As two Army National Guard helicopters flew low over demonstrators, the downward blast from their rotor blades sent protesters scurrying for cover and ripped signs from the sides of buildings. The pilots of one of the helicopters have been grounded pending the outcome of the inquiry. But Mayor Muriel E. Bowser of Washington called the Trump administration’s deployment of active-duty military forces and National Guard troops to the capital area “an invasion” and said it pitted the federal government against her constituents.
The high-profile episode was a turning point in the military’s response to unrest in Washington after days of protests, some of which turned violent. Mr. Trump had ordered Army troops to locations near Washington to be ready to use against protests, but agreed to begin sending them back to their home bases last week after pushback from Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper, among others. While none were ever actually deployed in the capital, they remained on alert outside the city.
Military officials said the National Guard’s aggressive approach to crowd control had been prompted by a pointed message from the Pentagon: If the Guard was unable to handle the situation, then active-duty military units would be sent in. “What we saw last week was basically an invasion of our city,” Ms. Bowser said on “Fox News Sunday.” “Active-duty Army troops moved from all points around the country to threaten our autonomy. What you saw — and I won’t have it reduced to a spat — was how I have to defend our taxpayers, and it’s sad to say, we would have to defend ourselves against federal forces.”
Senior Pentagon officials, including Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, tried to persuade President Trump that active-duty troops should not be sent into the streets to impose order, and that law enforcement and National Guard personnel could contain the unrest. Mr. Barr denied reports that Mr. Trump demanded last week that active-duty military troops be deployed into the streets of Washington. He said that troops were put on standby because city police were alarmed by the protests at Lafayette Square, across from the White House.
Mr. Trump’s threat to use the 1807 Insurrection Act to send active-duty troops on U.S. soil against protesters has laid bare a chasm in the national security community that was surfacing even when he ran for office in 2016. National Guard troops from several states did take up position near the White House, where protesters had gathered for several days, and the aggressive approach they took toward crowd control drew wide criticism. In a sign of de-escalation, Mr. Trump said on Sunday that he had ordered them removed.
This week, his former defense secretary, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other retired senior officers expressed publicly what they had previously cited only in private: the risk of having a president use the military, which has historically prized its apolitical role in U.S. society, as a political force. “I have just given an order for our National Guard to start the process of withdrawing from Washington, D.C., now that everything is under perfect control,” Mr. Trump said on Twitter. “They will be going home, but can quickly return, if needed.”
Attorney General William P. Barr said on Sunday that he believes racism is not a systemic problem in policing, though there is racism more generally in the United States.
Attorney General William P. Barr said on Sunday that he believed racism is not a systemic problem in policing, though there is racism more generally in the United States.
“I don’t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist,” Mr. Barr said on the CBS program “Face the Nation.” “I think we have to recognize that for most of our history, our institutions were explicitly racist.”“I don’t think that the law enforcement system is systemically racist,” Mr. Barr said on the CBS program “Face the Nation.” “I think we have to recognize that for most of our history, our institutions were explicitly racist.”
Mr. Barr said that he understands why black people in the U.S. distrust law enforcement, given “the history in this country,” but said that he believes that work done since the 1960s to reform institutions more broadly to make sure they are in sync with laws that ban inequities “is working, and progress has been made.” Mr. Barr said that he understood why black people in the United States distrust law enforcement, given “the history in this country,” but said that he believed that work done since the 1960s to reform institutions more broadly to make sure they are in sync with laws that ban inequities “is working, and progress has been made.”
While Mr. Barr flatly denied there was systemic racism in policing, he later compared law enforcement to the military, which he said “used to be an explicitly racist institution.”While Mr. Barr flatly denied there was systemic racism in policing, he later compared law enforcement to the military, which he said “used to be an explicitly racist institution.”
“Now I think it’s in the vanguard of bringing the races together and providing equal opportunity,” Mr. Barr said. “I think law enforcement has been going through the same process.“Now I think it’s in the vanguard of bringing the races together and providing equal opportunity,” Mr. Barr said. “I think law enforcement has been going through the same process.
Mr. Barr’s comments mirrored those made on Sunday by Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Wolf said on the ABC program “This Week” that he did not believe “systemic racism” was an issue in American law enforcement, and that tragedies like the death of George Floyd were caused by individual officers abusing their power.Mr. Barr’s comments mirrored those made on Sunday by Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Wolf said on the ABC program “This Week” that he did not believe “systemic racism” was an issue in American law enforcement, and that tragedies like the death of George Floyd were caused by individual officers abusing their power.
“I think painting law enforcement with the broad brush of systematic racism is really a disservice to the men and women who put on a badge, the uniform, every day — risk their lives every day to protect the American people,” Mr. Wolf said.“I think painting law enforcement with the broad brush of systematic racism is really a disservice to the men and women who put on a badge, the uniform, every day — risk their lives every day to protect the American people,” Mr. Wolf said.
Mr. Barr said that he did not support any measures that would reduce the legal immunity police officers are given when someone dies in their custody, because that would “result certainly in police pulling back.”Mr. Barr said that he did not support any measures that would reduce the legal immunity police officers are given when someone dies in their custody, because that would “result certainly in police pulling back.”
In an effort to build on the momentum of two weeks of street protests and growing calls for sweeping reform, activists in Washington State are calling for a statewide general strike on Friday and day of action to demand sustainable change for black people in the state.In an effort to build on the momentum of two weeks of street protests and growing calls for sweeping reform, activists in Washington State are calling for a statewide general strike on Friday and day of action to demand sustainable change for black people in the state.
General strikes, which involve a large proportion of the work force from a number of industries, have been used by activists in social movements to push for political and economic change. It was a general strike in Poland — started in a shipyard in Gdansk and spreading across the nation — that helped set the stage for the end of communist rule in the nation.General strikes, which involve a large proportion of the work force from a number of industries, have been used by activists in social movements to push for political and economic change. It was a general strike in Poland — started in a shipyard in Gdansk and spreading across the nation — that helped set the stage for the end of communist rule in the nation.
As recently as February, a general strike in France brought much of the country to a halt as workers pushed to stop the government from overhauling the nation’s pension system.As recently as February, a general strike in France brought much of the country to a halt as workers pushed to stop the government from overhauling the nation’s pension system.
The call for a general strike in Washington State has particular historical resonance, since Seattle was home to one of the first major labor actions in the United States in the 20th century.The call for a general strike in Washington State has particular historical resonance, since Seattle was home to one of the first major labor actions in the United States in the 20th century.
“Streetcar gongs ceased their clamor; newsboys cast their unsold papers into the street; from the doors of mill and factory, store and workshop, streamed sixty-five thousand working men,” Mayor Ole Hanson wrote after the first day of work stoppage in February 1919. “School children with fear in their hearts hurried homeward. The life stream of a great city stopped.”“Streetcar gongs ceased their clamor; newsboys cast their unsold papers into the street; from the doors of mill and factory, store and workshop, streamed sixty-five thousand working men,” Mayor Ole Hanson wrote after the first day of work stoppage in February 1919. “School children with fear in their hearts hurried homeward. The life stream of a great city stopped.”
Across the country, the life stream in cities has been slowed to a trickle by the coronavirus.Across the country, the life stream in cities has been slowed to a trickle by the coronavirus.
It is not clear what a general strike would look like set against a pandemic that has forced about 40 million people off the payrolls, but organizers from Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County said the strike on Friday would include a silent march in Seattle.It is not clear what a general strike would look like set against a pandemic that has forced about 40 million people off the payrolls, but organizers from Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County said the strike on Friday would include a silent march in Seattle.
Organizers said they understood that some people might be uncomfortable joining a mass demonstration during the pandemic, and said they would work on ways to include those who cannot attend in person.Organizers said they understood that some people might be uncomfortable joining a mass demonstration during the pandemic, and said they would work on ways to include those who cannot attend in person.
On the ground, the passion and determination driving thousands to take to the streets day after day are palpable. When viewed from above, the individual fades as the crowd comes into focus. These images from the 12th day of national protests offer a bird’s-eye view of the expressions of solidarity.On the ground, the passion and determination driving thousands to take to the streets day after day are palpable. When viewed from above, the individual fades as the crowd comes into focus. These images from the 12th day of national protests offer a bird’s-eye view of the expressions of solidarity.
A statue of a Confederate general was pulled down from its pedestal Saturday night during demonstrations in Richmond, Va., as monuments to the Confederacy continue to draw the ire of protesters who see them as enduring symbols of white supremacy.A statue of a Confederate general was pulled down from its pedestal Saturday night during demonstrations in Richmond, Va., as monuments to the Confederacy continue to draw the ire of protesters who see them as enduring symbols of white supremacy.
The statue of William Carter Wickham, a cavalry commander, was erected in Monroe Park in 1891. Videos taken on Saturday night showed the statue, with ropes attached, lying on the ground near its pedestal, which was marked with graffiti.The statue of William Carter Wickham, a cavalry commander, was erected in Monroe Park in 1891. Videos taken on Saturday night showed the statue, with ropes attached, lying on the ground near its pedestal, which was marked with graffiti.
It was not immediately clear whether the people who toppled the statue were protesters. Demonstrations at the park and throughout the city were otherwise peaceful, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.It was not immediately clear whether the people who toppled the statue were protesters. Demonstrations at the park and throughout the city were otherwise peaceful, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
Confederate statues and monuments in Norfolk, Va., Raleigh, N.C., and Birmingham, Ala., among other places, have also been targeted. Some have been defaced, and protesters have tried to topple others.Confederate statues and monuments in Norfolk, Va., Raleigh, N.C., and Birmingham, Ala., among other places, have also been targeted. Some have been defaced, and protesters have tried to topple others.
Tensions over the monuments have run been particularly high in Richmond, which was the capital of the Confederacy. Gov. Ralph Northam said last week that the city’s Robert E. Lee statue would be removed, and Mayor Levar Stoney said he would propose an ordinance to remove several other monuments. Tensions over the monuments have run been particularly high in Richmond, which was the capital of the Confederacy. Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia said last week that the city’s Robert E. Lee statue would be removed, and Mayor Levar Stoney said he would propose an ordinance to remove several other monuments.
A Confederate statue in Alexandria, Va., that had been scheduled for removal next month was taken down last week.A Confederate statue in Alexandria, Va., that had been scheduled for removal next month was taken down last week.
Monuments to white supremacists have also attracted ire overseas. A statue of Edward Colson, a 17th century slave trader and politician, was toppled on Sunday by protesters in Bristol, England.Monuments to white supremacists have also attracted ire overseas. A statue of Edward Colson, a 17th century slave trader and politician, was toppled on Sunday by protesters in Bristol, England.
In the second weekend of nationwide protests after the death of George Floyd, some of those who turned out to demonstrate were acquainted with police brutality in painfully personal terms: as friends and relatives of victims.In the second weekend of nationwide protests after the death of George Floyd, some of those who turned out to demonstrate were acquainted with police brutality in painfully personal terms: as friends and relatives of victims.
In Manhattan, as thousands gathered at Central Park, Constance Malcolm fought back tears on Saturday before speaking into a megaphone.In Manhattan, as thousands gathered at Central Park, Constance Malcolm fought back tears on Saturday before speaking into a megaphone.
“I’m tired of crying,” said Ms. Malcolm, whose son Ramarley Graham was killed by a police officer in his home in 2012. “We need our voices to be heard. That’s happening now, and we need to take advantage of it.”“I’m tired of crying,” said Ms. Malcolm, whose son Ramarley Graham was killed by a police officer in his home in 2012. “We need our voices to be heard. That’s happening now, and we need to take advantage of it.”
In St. Paul, Minn., the relatives of a dozen men who died in police custody addressed protesters. Among them was Amity Dimock, 46, who broke down in tears as she spoke about her son, Kobe Heisler, who died last year. She said it was only because of the current protests that the police had released footage of his last moments.In St. Paul, Minn., the relatives of a dozen men who died in police custody addressed protesters. Among them was Amity Dimock, 46, who broke down in tears as she spoke about her son, Kobe Heisler, who died last year. She said it was only because of the current protests that the police had released footage of his last moments.
Ms. Dimock was not the only protester mourning a child. Del Shea Perry, 53, cried and yelled while talking about her son, who died in September 2018 in a Minnesota county jail.Ms. Dimock was not the only protester mourning a child. Del Shea Perry, 53, cried and yelled while talking about her son, who died in September 2018 in a Minnesota county jail.
“I am a grieving mother,” she said. “We should not be out here fighting. I’m tired. I’m so tired.”“I am a grieving mother,” she said. “We should not be out here fighting. I’m tired. I’m so tired.”
Gabriel Black Elk, a Lakota man who lives in Minneapolis, said the Denver police had killed his brother in 2015. “I’m showing solidarity with the families here and coming together where Native people and African-Americans were killed by police,” he said on Saturday.Gabriel Black Elk, a Lakota man who lives in Minneapolis, said the Denver police had killed his brother in 2015. “I’m showing solidarity with the families here and coming together where Native people and African-Americans were killed by police,” he said on Saturday.
In Lafayette Square in Washington, Dominique Barnes said she was motivated to protest for her 3-year-old son and to honor a childhood friend whom the police in Virginia Beach fatally shot.In Lafayette Square in Washington, Dominique Barnes said she was motivated to protest for her 3-year-old son and to honor a childhood friend whom the police in Virginia Beach fatally shot.
“I’m tired of sitting at home and seeing people on the news,” she said, “tired of explaining on social media why there’s a reason to be outraged.”“I’m tired of sitting at home and seeing people on the news,” she said, “tired of explaining on social media why there’s a reason to be outraged.”
The global protests denouncing racism and police brutality showed no sign of slowing down this weekend, with crowds gathering on Sunday in Rome, London and other cities.The global protests denouncing racism and police brutality showed no sign of slowing down this weekend, with crowds gathering on Sunday in Rome, London and other cities.
Chanting “Black lives matter” and “No justice, no peace,” thousands of people swelled Rome’s Piazza del Popolo to protest racism in the United States and in Italy.Chanting “Black lives matter” and “No justice, no peace,” thousands of people swelled Rome’s Piazza del Popolo to protest racism in the United States and in Italy.
“As many of you know, there is a very serious problem with state-condoned violence” in the United States, said Fatimah Provillon, a New Jersey native who has lived in Rome for 13 years, told the crowd of mostly young Italians. “But it’s not just a U.S. problem — it’s happening all over the world.”“As many of you know, there is a very serious problem with state-condoned violence” in the United States, said Fatimah Provillon, a New Jersey native who has lived in Rome for 13 years, told the crowd of mostly young Italians. “But it’s not just a U.S. problem — it’s happening all over the world.”
Thousands of people filled the streets outside the U.S. Embassy in London on Sunday, chanting George Floyd’s name and “Black lives matter,” “Let us live” and “No justice, no peace.” And when the protesters took to their knees, a protest gesture often seen in anti-racism campaigns, cries were heard of “The U.K is not innocent.”Thousands of people filled the streets outside the U.S. Embassy in London on Sunday, chanting George Floyd’s name and “Black lives matter,” “Let us live” and “No justice, no peace.” And when the protesters took to their knees, a protest gesture often seen in anti-racism campaigns, cries were heard of “The U.K is not innocent.”
“We came to protest the injustice of the justice system and the deaths and killings of black people everywhere,” said Iyanah Gordon, one of a group of 18-year-old friends from South London who were at the protest. “Injustices like George Floyd’s death happen here.”“We came to protest the injustice of the justice system and the deaths and killings of black people everywhere,” said Iyanah Gordon, one of a group of 18-year-old friends from South London who were at the protest. “Injustices like George Floyd’s death happen here.”
Jamal Marcano, 23, from West London, said he had been stopped by the police recently because of racial profiling. “In the U.S. the racism is more blatant, in the U.K. it is more subtle,” he said.Jamal Marcano, 23, from West London, said he had been stopped by the police recently because of racial profiling. “In the U.S. the racism is more blatant, in the U.K. it is more subtle,” he said.
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, also offered support to the weekend’s demonstrations, writing on Twitter on Sunday: “Londoners of all ages, races and backgrounds joined millions of people around the world yesterday to come together peacefully. I stand with you.”London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, also offered support to the weekend’s demonstrations, writing on Twitter on Sunday: “Londoners of all ages, races and backgrounds joined millions of people around the world yesterday to come together peacefully. I stand with you.”
In Rome, Karima 2G, an Italian singer of Liberian descent who hosted the protest, spoke of “solidarity with African-Americans” even as migrants from Africa struggle to get a footing in Italy and across Europe.In Rome, Karima 2G, an Italian singer of Liberian descent who hosted the protest, spoke of “solidarity with African-Americans” even as migrants from Africa struggle to get a footing in Italy and across Europe.
She said in interview later that she was pleased to see a big turnout in Italy, where children of residents of African descent are often not considered Italian.She said in interview later that she was pleased to see a big turnout in Italy, where children of residents of African descent are often not considered Italian.
“That’s a form of racism, too,” she said.“That’s a form of racism, too,” she said.
A California man who has worked to help improve relations between the San Jose Police Department and people of color learned that he may not be able to have children after an officer shot him with a rubber bullet during a protest.A California man who has worked to help improve relations between the San Jose Police Department and people of color learned that he may not be able to have children after an officer shot him with a rubber bullet during a protest.
While attending a protest in San Jose on May 29, the man, Derrick Sanderlin, worked to prevent rising tensions and calm demonstrators and the police alike, he said in an interview this weekend.While attending a protest in San Jose on May 29, the man, Derrick Sanderlin, worked to prevent rising tensions and calm demonstrators and the police alike, he said in an interview this weekend.
After seeing officers shoot people with rubber bullets, he moved to stand between the officers and said he had asked them to stop. One video shows him with his hands up as officers appear to shoot at others behind him. Another video shows Mr. Sanderlin then being hit by one of the shots. He said that it had struck him in the groin and that he had to have emergency surgery.After seeing officers shoot people with rubber bullets, he moved to stand between the officers and said he had asked them to stop. One video shows him with his hands up as officers appear to shoot at others behind him. Another video shows Mr. Sanderlin then being hit by one of the shots. He said that it had struck him in the groin and that he had to have emergency surgery.
Chief Eddie Garcia said in a statement that the San Jose Police Department would investigate.Chief Eddie Garcia said in a statement that the San Jose Police Department would investigate.
Mr. Sanderlin, whom Chief Garcia called a “leader in our communities’ efforts to reduce bias and discrimination through dialogue,” has worked in recent years on training programs for the Police Department.Mr. Sanderlin, whom Chief Garcia called a “leader in our communities’ efforts to reduce bias and discrimination through dialogue,” has worked in recent years on training programs for the Police Department.
He said it did not appear that officers had embraced that training during the demonstrations.He said it did not appear that officers had embraced that training during the demonstrations.
“It’s like it all just sort of flew out the window,” Mr. Sanderlin said. “I’m frustrated.”“It’s like it all just sort of flew out the window,” Mr. Sanderlin said. “I’m frustrated.”
Reporting was contributed by Mike Baker, Katie Benner, Audra D.S. Burch, Kimiko de Freytas-Kamura, Tess Felder, Thomas M. Gibbons-Neff, Russell Goldman, Isabella Grullon Paz, Jon Hurdle, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Eric Killelea, Michael Levenson, Patricia Mazzei, Terence McGinley, Richard Pérez-Peña, Adam Popescu, Elisabetta Povoledo, Monika Pronczuk, Neil Reisner, Marc Santora, Anna Schaverien, Eric Schmitt, Dionne Searcey, Sabrina Tavernise, Marc Tracy, David Zucchino, Terence McGinley, Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura, Eric Killelea and Michael Levenson.Reporting was contributed by Mike Baker, Katie Benner, Audra D.S. Burch, Kimiko de Freytas-Kamura, Tess Felder, Thomas M. Gibbons-Neff, Russell Goldman, Isabella Grullon Paz, Jon Hurdle, Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Eric Killelea, Michael Levenson, Patricia Mazzei, Terence McGinley, Richard Pérez-Peña, Adam Popescu, Elisabetta Povoledo, Monika Pronczuk, Neil Reisner, Marc Santora, Anna Schaverien, Eric Schmitt, Dionne Searcey, Sabrina Tavernise, Marc Tracy, David Zucchino, Terence McGinley, Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura, Eric Killelea and Michael Levenson.