This article is from the source 'nytimes' 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.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/us/protests-george-floyd-black-lives-matter.html

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Live Updates on George Floyd Protests: Cuomo Signs Police Misconduct Bills Live Updates on George Floyd Protests: Cuomo Signs Police Misconduct Bills
(about 1 hour later)
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York on Friday signed an expansive package of bills aimed at combating police misconduct, endorsing a major overhaul of law enforcement in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the nationwide protests that followed.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York on Friday signed an expansive package of bills aimed at combating police misconduct, endorsing a major overhaul of law enforcement in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the nationwide protests that followed.
The measures, some of which languished for years and faced opposition from police unions, included a ban on the use of chokeholds as well as the repeal of a decades-old statue that has allowed the police to keep disciplinary records of officers secret.The measures, some of which languished for years and faced opposition from police unions, included a ban on the use of chokeholds as well as the repeal of a decades-old statue that has allowed the police to keep disciplinary records of officers secret.
Mr. Cuomo also announced that he would also issue an executive order that would require New York’s roughly 500 local police departments and agencies to develop plans to modernize their tactics with community input, or risk becoming ineligible for state funding.Mr. Cuomo also announced that he would also issue an executive order that would require New York’s roughly 500 local police departments and agencies to develop plans to modernize their tactics with community input, or risk becoming ineligible for state funding.
“We’re not going to fund police agencies in this state that do not look at what has been happening, come to terms with it, and reform themselves,” Mr. Cuomo said. Under the order, the police agencies must adopt their new plans by April 1.“We’re not going to fund police agencies in this state that do not look at what has been happening, come to terms with it, and reform themselves,” Mr. Cuomo said. Under the order, the police agencies must adopt their new plans by April 1.
In Minnesota, the state where Mr. Floyd died after an officer pressed his knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes, the State Legislature convened a special session to consider bills aimed at overhauling policing and redressing policies that have led to systemic economic inequality.In Minnesota, the state where Mr. Floyd died after an officer pressed his knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes, the State Legislature convened a special session to consider bills aimed at overhauling policing and redressing policies that have led to systemic economic inequality.
The bills include a ban on the use of chokeholds, creating community alternatives to policing and restoring voting rights for paroled prisoners. Some of the bills have been stalled for years, though Democratic lawmakers vowed they would push them through this time.The bills include a ban on the use of chokeholds, creating community alternatives to policing and restoring voting rights for paroled prisoners. Some of the bills have been stalled for years, though Democratic lawmakers vowed they would push them through this time.
“Minnesota will change the way we do policing,” Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, said during a news conference on Thursday. “Minnesota will change what accountability looks like, and Minnesota will start to lift up those voices that for too long have felt they haven’t been heard.”“Minnesota will change the way we do policing,” Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, said during a news conference on Thursday. “Minnesota will change what accountability looks like, and Minnesota will start to lift up those voices that for too long have felt they haven’t been heard.”
But Minnesota lawmakers emphasized that only they could ensure the reforms are passed into law. “It’s up to us in the Legislature to make transformative change,” said Jeffrey Hayden, a black state senator.But Minnesota lawmakers emphasized that only they could ensure the reforms are passed into law. “It’s up to us in the Legislature to make transformative change,” said Jeffrey Hayden, a black state senator.
While Democrats control the State House, Republican lawmakers have a majority in the Senate, and it is unclear how many Democratic proposals they might support. On Friday, State Senator Paul Gazelka, the Republican majority leader, said that the video of Mr. Floyd’s arrest had “stirred something in my soul that I would call righteous anger.”While Democrats control the State House, Republican lawmakers have a majority in the Senate, and it is unclear how many Democratic proposals they might support. On Friday, State Senator Paul Gazelka, the Republican majority leader, said that the video of Mr. Floyd’s arrest had “stirred something in my soul that I would call righteous anger.”
There could now be bipartisan support for measures such as banning chokeholds, but Republicans are more leery of other Democratic proposals, such as restoring voter rights to felons.There could now be bipartisan support for measures such as banning chokeholds, but Republicans are more leery of other Democratic proposals, such as restoring voter rights to felons.
None of the reforms being offered go as far as defunding or dismantling police departments altogether — a key demand of some activists that is now being pursued by the Minneapolis City Council. But the package would encourage alternatives to current policing by giving money to groups that step into conflicts without calling law enforcement, or to pair up more social workers with officers on calls.None of the reforms being offered go as far as defunding or dismantling police departments altogether — a key demand of some activists that is now being pursued by the Minneapolis City Council. But the package would encourage alternatives to current policing by giving money to groups that step into conflicts without calling law enforcement, or to pair up more social workers with officers on calls.
Also this week, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico said the State Legislature could require body cameras for all law enforcement agencies during an upcoming special session originally scheduled for budget matters. Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio announced that he had directed a state task force to draw up new standards for how the police respond to mass protests. And Massachusetts lawmakers said they were working on legislation to ban chokeholds, enhance police oversight and obligate officers to intervene if a fellow officer is using inappropriate force.Also this week, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico said the State Legislature could require body cameras for all law enforcement agencies during an upcoming special session originally scheduled for budget matters. Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio announced that he had directed a state task force to draw up new standards for how the police respond to mass protests. And Massachusetts lawmakers said they were working on legislation to ban chokeholds, enhance police oversight and obligate officers to intervene if a fellow officer is using inappropriate force.
Boston’s mayor on Friday issued an executive order declaring racism to be a public health crisis, and said the city would transfer $3 million from the Police Department’s overtime budget to public health programs.Boston’s mayor on Friday issued an executive order declaring racism to be a public health crisis, and said the city would transfer $3 million from the Police Department’s overtime budget to public health programs.
In a news conference on Friday morning, Mayor Martin J. Walsh said the health effects of racism were clear in the city’s coronavirus case numbers, and were underscored by the nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.In a news conference on Friday morning, Mayor Martin J. Walsh said the health effects of racism were clear in the city’s coronavirus case numbers, and were underscored by the nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“We’re determined to accelerate our work towards systemic change to renew our nation and our city’s promise of equal opportunity and justice for every person,” he said.“We’re determined to accelerate our work towards systemic change to renew our nation and our city’s promise of equal opportunity and justice for every person,” he said.
Shaken by the coronavirus pandemic’s disproportionate toll on African-Americans, Boston joins a growing list of communities that have moved to declare racism a public health emergency, amid a national reckoning over racial injustice and white supremacy. The city councils of Denver, Cleveland and Indianapolis have made such declarations, along with county officials in California and Ohio.Shaken by the coronavirus pandemic’s disproportionate toll on African-Americans, Boston joins a growing list of communities that have moved to declare racism a public health emergency, amid a national reckoning over racial injustice and white supremacy. The city councils of Denver, Cleveland and Indianapolis have made such declarations, along with county officials in California and Ohio.
In recent weeks, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Boston to protest against racial injustice and police violence in the wake of Mr. Floyd’s death while in police custody. City workers removed a statue of Christopher Columbus on Thursday after protesters broke off its head the day before. Columbus statues have also been damaged in Minnesota and Virginia, as protesters target monuments, including Confederate statues, that they consider to be symbols of racism.In recent weeks, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Boston to protest against racial injustice and police violence in the wake of Mr. Floyd’s death while in police custody. City workers removed a statue of Christopher Columbus on Thursday after protesters broke off its head the day before. Columbus statues have also been damaged in Minnesota and Virginia, as protesters target monuments, including Confederate statues, that they consider to be symbols of racism.
On Thursday, the Boston Red Sox publicly acknowledged that fans had repeatedly made racist taunts after Torii Hunter, a retired Major League Baseball player, recounted the racist slurs he heard while playing at the team’s Fenway Park stadium, abuse that prompted him to list the Red Sox in no-trade clauses in his contracts.On Thursday, the Boston Red Sox publicly acknowledged that fans had repeatedly made racist taunts after Torii Hunter, a retired Major League Baseball player, recounted the racist slurs he heard while playing at the team’s Fenway Park stadium, abuse that prompted him to list the Red Sox in no-trade clauses in his contracts.
In declaring racism a public health crisis, the Boston mayor also announced plans to eventually reallocate as much as $12 million from the Police Department’s overtime budget to programs that support housing, mental health and minority-owned businesses. The order follows an announcement by the Boston Police Department on changes that include new restrictions on chokeholds and a requirement that officers intervene to stop excessive use of force.In declaring racism a public health crisis, the Boston mayor also announced plans to eventually reallocate as much as $12 million from the Police Department’s overtime budget to programs that support housing, mental health and minority-owned businesses. The order follows an announcement by the Boston Police Department on changes that include new restrictions on chokeholds and a requirement that officers intervene to stop excessive use of force.
Andrea Campbell, a Boston City councilor, praised the mayor’s efforts, but said more was needed. Black community leaders and elected officials had been calling for changes for years, she said, and “it should not have taken the brutal murders of black men and women to get movement on reforms.”Andrea Campbell, a Boston City councilor, praised the mayor’s efforts, but said more was needed. Black community leaders and elected officials had been calling for changes for years, she said, and “it should not have taken the brutal murders of black men and women to get movement on reforms.”
Minneapolis City Council members moved toward replacing the Police Department on Friday, showing that they are serious about reducing the role of traditional police officers, but also signaling that a long, complicated process awaits to determine what will replace them.Minneapolis City Council members moved toward replacing the Police Department on Friday, showing that they are serious about reducing the role of traditional police officers, but also signaling that a long, complicated process awaits to determine what will replace them.
Council members took the first step toward putting an initiative on the ballot in November that would ask voters to eliminate the minimum number of police officers required by the city’s charter, which would give Council members much more flexibility to make changes to public safety.Council members took the first step toward putting an initiative on the ballot in November that would ask voters to eliminate the minimum number of police officers required by the city’s charter, which would give Council members much more flexibility to make changes to public safety.
The ballot initiative would also include removing the Minneapolis Police Department from the charter — although not necessarily abolishing it altogether — and adding a new department “focused on cultivating public safety.”The ballot initiative would also include removing the Minneapolis Police Department from the charter — although not necessarily abolishing it altogether — and adding a new department “focused on cultivating public safety.”
The City Council also voted unanimously, at its virtual meeting, on a resolution to commit to a yearlong effort to research other models of public safety and listen to what residents say they would like to see. Andrea Jenkins, the vice president of the City Council, said the world was looking to Minneapolis to see how it would respond following the killing of George Floyd last month.The City Council also voted unanimously, at its virtual meeting, on a resolution to commit to a yearlong effort to research other models of public safety and listen to what residents say they would like to see. Andrea Jenkins, the vice president of the City Council, said the world was looking to Minneapolis to see how it would respond following the killing of George Floyd last month.
“People have marched all over the world, all over the City of Minneapolis, and what they’re saying to us is they want change,” Ms. Jenkins said. “Not ‘fix it,’ not reform, but change. So we must take these voices seriously.”“People have marched all over the world, all over the City of Minneapolis, and what they’re saying to us is they want change,” Ms. Jenkins said. “Not ‘fix it,’ not reform, but change. So we must take these voices seriously.”
The resolution passed on Friday creates a “Future of Community Safety Work Group” that will soon begin listening to residents, interviewing experts and studying other models of public safety to determine how various city services could replace many of the Police Department’s current functions.The resolution passed on Friday creates a “Future of Community Safety Work Group” that will soon begin listening to residents, interviewing experts and studying other models of public safety to determine how various city services could replace many of the Police Department’s current functions.
Alondra Cano, the chairwoman of the public safety committee, said in an interview after the vote that the engagement of city residents would be vital to determining the right solutions for public safety in Minneapolis.Alondra Cano, the chairwoman of the public safety committee, said in an interview after the vote that the engagement of city residents would be vital to determining the right solutions for public safety in Minneapolis.
“The future of this city will be decided by the people who live here,” she said.“The future of this city will be decided by the people who live here,” she said.
Ms. Cano said the initiative to get rid of the City Charter’s requirement that the Police Department have .0017 employees per city resident would remove a large hurdle that stands in the way of replacing the department’s functions. If the initiative does get on the ballot in November, it would require a majority of voters to pass.Ms. Cano said the initiative to get rid of the City Charter’s requirement that the Police Department have .0017 employees per city resident would remove a large hurdle that stands in the way of replacing the department’s functions. If the initiative does get on the ballot in November, it would require a majority of voters to pass.
As crowds have surged through American cities to protest the killing of George Floyd, one of the striking differences from years past has been the sheer number of white demonstrators.As crowds have surged through American cities to protest the killing of George Floyd, one of the striking differences from years past has been the sheer number of white demonstrators.
And now, an early estimate of the demographics of the protests has found the crowds were overwhelmingly young and educated with large numbers of white people.And now, an early estimate of the demographics of the protests has found the crowds were overwhelmingly young and educated with large numbers of white people.
The researchers, Dana Fisher, a sociologist at the University of Maryland, and Michael Heaney, a political scientist at University of Michigan, used an established method for studying street protests. They said their numbers provided only rough estimates, but offer the first, more systematic look at who the protesters are.The researchers, Dana Fisher, a sociologist at the University of Maryland, and Michael Heaney, a political scientist at University of Michigan, used an established method for studying street protests. They said their numbers provided only rough estimates, but offer the first, more systematic look at who the protesters are.
White protesters made up 61 percent of those surveyed in New York over the weekend, according to the researchers, and 65 percent of protesters in Washington. On Sunday in Los Angeles, 53 percent of protesters were white.White protesters made up 61 percent of those surveyed in New York over the weekend, according to the researchers, and 65 percent of protesters in Washington. On Sunday in Los Angeles, 53 percent of protesters were white.
More than three quarters of those surveyed were under the age of 34, and 82 percent of white protesters had a college degree, while 67 percent of black protesters had one.More than three quarters of those surveyed were under the age of 34, and 82 percent of white protesters had a college degree, while 67 percent of black protesters had one.
President Trump also appeared to be a powerful driver. Forty-five percent of whites surveyed in Dr. Fisher’s work selected Mr. Trump as a motivation for joining the protests, compared with 32 percent of blacks. Whites were most likely to report having attended the 2017 Women’s March, but the second-least likely, after Asians, to report having attended the March for Racial Justice in 2017.President Trump also appeared to be a powerful driver. Forty-five percent of whites surveyed in Dr. Fisher’s work selected Mr. Trump as a motivation for joining the protests, compared with 32 percent of blacks. Whites were most likely to report having attended the 2017 Women’s March, but the second-least likely, after Asians, to report having attended the March for Racial Justice in 2017.
A number of factors have helped shape the demographics of the recent protests. The nine-minute video of a white police officer refusing to remove his knee from Mr. Floyd’s neck has horrified Americans as attitudes on race were already changing, particularly among white liberals. Another motivation is the opposition to Mr. Trump, who has drawn large crowds of protesters beginning the day after his election. Finally, there is the coronavirus pandemic, which has left millions of Americans — including college students — cooped up at home, craving human contact.A number of factors have helped shape the demographics of the recent protests. The nine-minute video of a white police officer refusing to remove his knee from Mr. Floyd’s neck has horrified Americans as attitudes on race were already changing, particularly among white liberals. Another motivation is the opposition to Mr. Trump, who has drawn large crowds of protesters beginning the day after his election. Finally, there is the coronavirus pandemic, which has left millions of Americans — including college students — cooped up at home, craving human contact.
Seeking to right the wrongful conviction of an African-American man who was falsely accused of rape a century ago, the Minnesota Board of Pardons voted on Friday to unanimously issue a posthumous pardon, a first in the state.Seeking to right the wrongful conviction of an African-American man who was falsely accused of rape a century ago, the Minnesota Board of Pardons voted on Friday to unanimously issue a posthumous pardon, a first in the state.
“Mr. Max Mason’s pardon is granted,” said the three-member board, which is made up of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Chief Justice Lorie Gildea. The governor struck the gavel during the board’s virtual meeting, which was streamed live.“Mr. Max Mason’s pardon is granted,” said the three-member board, which is made up of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Chief Justice Lorie Gildea. The governor struck the gavel during the board’s virtual meeting, which was streamed live.
Mr. Mason was an African-American who was employed by a traveling circus. Mr. Ellison noted on Friday that he “was wrongly convicted on a groundless charge of rape in the aftermath of the public lynchings of three of his African-American colleagues in Duluth” in 1920.Mr. Mason was an African-American who was employed by a traveling circus. Mr. Ellison noted on Friday that he “was wrongly convicted on a groundless charge of rape in the aftermath of the public lynchings of three of his African-American colleagues in Duluth” in 1920.
Mr. Mason’s was the first of many cases up for review during a daylong meeting that included more run-of-the-mill pardon requests, including a woman with a drunken-driving offense, who was also granted a pardon.Mr. Mason’s was the first of many cases up for review during a daylong meeting that included more run-of-the-mill pardon requests, including a woman with a drunken-driving offense, who was also granted a pardon.
The vote in favor of the pardon came quickly after statements from Jerry Blackwell, the lawyer representing the applicant for Mr. Mason’s pardon, and Chief Mike Tusken of the Duluth Police, whose great-aunt alleged that six black members of a traveling circus troop had raped her.The vote in favor of the pardon came quickly after statements from Jerry Blackwell, the lawyer representing the applicant for Mr. Mason’s pardon, and Chief Mike Tusken of the Duluth Police, whose great-aunt alleged that six black members of a traveling circus troop had raped her.
Mr. Mason was one of several black men accused of rape by the woman, Irene Tusken. Initially, six men were arrested in the case and three of them — Isaac McGhie, Elmer Jackson and Elias Clayton — were lynched by a mob that pulled them out of jail where they were being held on June 15, 1920, according to state historical records.Mr. Mason was one of several black men accused of rape by the woman, Irene Tusken. Initially, six men were arrested in the case and three of them — Isaac McGhie, Elmer Jackson and Elias Clayton — were lynched by a mob that pulled them out of jail where they were being held on June 15, 1920, according to state historical records.
Mr. Mason was arrested later and sentenced to 30 years of hard labor. He was released in 1925 under the provision that he not return to Minnesota for 16 years. He died in his 40s, Mr. Blackwell said.Mr. Mason was arrested later and sentenced to 30 years of hard labor. He was released in 1925 under the provision that he not return to Minnesota for 16 years. He died in his 40s, Mr. Blackwell said.
“Thousands watched racist terrorism, “ he said. “We’re talking about a history that does not go away until it is set right.” “Thousands watched racist terrorism,” he said. “We’re talking about a history that does not go away until it is set right.”
He recounted racist comments of the police that are part of the record in Mr. Mason’s case. He described how a police officer also threatened Mr. Mason at gunpoint when he was arrested in Virginia, Minn. “If you don’t talk, I’ll kill you,” Mr. Blackwell said, reciting an officer’s words from the record.He recounted racist comments of the police that are part of the record in Mr. Mason’s case. He described how a police officer also threatened Mr. Mason at gunpoint when he was arrested in Virginia, Minn. “If you don’t talk, I’ll kill you,” Mr. Blackwell said, reciting an officer’s words from the record.
Chief Tusken said the episode of history was his family’s and the State of Minnesota’s great shame. He said that although he had met his great-aunt, he did not learn of her story until after she died.Chief Tusken said the episode of history was his family’s and the State of Minnesota’s great shame. He said that although he had met his great-aunt, he did not learn of her story until after she died.
The board said Mr. Mason’s pardon review had been on the books for months before the killing of George Floyd and years in the making, but they stressed that the pardon would be a balm on the raw wounds not only in the long arc of history but for the pain of the last few weeks.The board said Mr. Mason’s pardon review had been on the books for months before the killing of George Floyd and years in the making, but they stressed that the pardon would be a balm on the raw wounds not only in the long arc of history but for the pain of the last few weeks.
“There is not one inch of this country that doesn’t need to address this issue,” Mr. Ellison said at the hearing.“There is not one inch of this country that doesn’t need to address this issue,” Mr. Ellison said at the hearing.
President Trump was asked about his position on police chokeholds during a Fox News interview on Thursday with the anchor Harris Faulkner. Here is what he said:President Trump was asked about his position on police chokeholds during a Fox News interview on Thursday with the anchor Harris Faulkner. Here is what he said:
HARRIS FAULKNER: So what do you want to see? What is police reform to you?HARRIS FAULKNER: So what do you want to see? What is police reform to you?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I want to see really compassionate but strong law enforcement, police force. But law enforcement.PRESIDENT TRUMP: I want to see really compassionate but strong law enforcement, police force. But law enforcement.
FAULKNER: Say no to chokeholds?FAULKNER: Say no to chokeholds?
TRUMP: Yeah. I don’t like chokeholds. I will say this, as somebody that, you know, you grow up and you wrestle and you fight and you were you see what happens sometimes if you’re alone and you’re fighting somebody who’s tough and you get somebody in a chokehold. What are you going to do, say, oh, and it’s a real bad person and you know that. And they do exist. I mean, we have some real bad people. You saw that during the last couple of weeks. You saw some very good people protesting. You saw some bad people also. And you get somebody in a chokehold. And what you going to do now? Let go and say, oh, let’s start all over again. I’m not allowed to have you in a chokehold. It’s a tough situation. Now, if you have two people in case we’re talking about — four people and two of them, I guess, just pretty much started. So it’s a very, very, very tricky situation. So the chokehold thing is good because to talk about, because off the cuff, it would sound like absolutely. But if you’re thinking about it, then you realize maybe there is a bad fight and the officer gets somebody in a position that’s a very tough position.TRUMP: Yeah. I don’t like chokeholds. I will say this, as somebody that, you know, you grow up and you wrestle and you fight and you were you see what happens sometimes if you’re alone and you’re fighting somebody who’s tough and you get somebody in a chokehold. What are you going to do, say, oh, and it’s a real bad person and you know that. And they do exist. I mean, we have some real bad people. You saw that during the last couple of weeks. You saw some very good people protesting. You saw some bad people also. And you get somebody in a chokehold. And what you going to do now? Let go and say, oh, let’s start all over again. I’m not allowed to have you in a chokehold. It’s a tough situation. Now, if you have two people in case we’re talking about — four people and two of them, I guess, just pretty much started. So it’s a very, very, very tricky situation. So the chokehold thing is good because to talk about, because off the cuff, it would sound like absolutely. But if you’re thinking about it, then you realize maybe there is a bad fight and the officer gets somebody in a position that’s a very tough position.
FAULKNER: So you’re saying it’s a sliding scale depending on what the circumstances are?FAULKNER: So you’re saying it’s a sliding scale depending on what the circumstances are?
TRUMP: I think you have to probably say —TRUMP: I think you have to probably say —
FAULKNER: Do you want to be in that conversation? Are you in that conversation?FAULKNER: Do you want to be in that conversation? Are you in that conversation?
TRUMP: I really am. And I think the concept of chokehold sounds so innocent, so perfect. And then you realize if it’s a one-on-one. Now if it’s two-on-one, that’s a little bit of a different story, depending on the toughness and strength. You know, we’re talking about toughness and strength. We are talking there’s a physical thing here also. But if a police officer is in a bad scuffle and he’s got somebody …TRUMP: I really am. And I think the concept of chokehold sounds so innocent, so perfect. And then you realize if it’s a one-on-one. Now if it’s two-on-one, that’s a little bit of a different story, depending on the toughness and strength. You know, we’re talking about toughness and strength. We are talking there’s a physical thing here also. But if a police officer is in a bad scuffle and he’s got somebody …
FAULKNER: Well, if it’s a one-on-one fight for the life. That’s what you’re saying.FAULKNER: Well, if it’s a one-on-one fight for the life. That’s what you’re saying.
TRUMP: And that does happen. And that does happen. So you have to be careful, with that being said, it would be, I think, a very good thing that, generally speaking, it should be ended.TRUMP: And that does happen. And that does happen. So you have to be careful, with that being said, it would be, I think, a very good thing that, generally speaking, it should be ended.
FAULKNER: Do you want that to be a top down federal or should it be at the local level?FAULKNER: Do you want that to be a top down federal or should it be at the local level?
TRUMP: Well, it could be at the local level.TRUMP: Well, it could be at the local level.
The national reckoning over police violence has spread to schools, with several districts choosing in recent days to sever their relationships with local police departments out of concern that the officers patrolling their hallways represent more of a threat than a form of protection.The national reckoning over police violence has spread to schools, with several districts choosing in recent days to sever their relationships with local police departments out of concern that the officers patrolling their hallways represent more of a threat than a form of protection.
School districts in Minneapolis, Seattle and Portland, Ore., have all promised to remove officers, with the Seattle superintendent saying the presence of armed police “prohibits many students and staff from feeling fully safe.” In Oakland, Calif., leaders expressed support on Wednesday for eliminating the district’s internal police force, while the Denver Board of Education voted unanimously on Thursday to end its police contract.School districts in Minneapolis, Seattle and Portland, Ore., have all promised to remove officers, with the Seattle superintendent saying the presence of armed police “prohibits many students and staff from feeling fully safe.” In Oakland, Calif., leaders expressed support on Wednesday for eliminating the district’s internal police force, while the Denver Board of Education voted unanimously on Thursday to end its police contract.
Some black teachers and students, in particular, say they consider officers on campus a danger, rather than a bulwark against threats like mass shootings.Some black teachers and students, in particular, say they consider officers on campus a danger, rather than a bulwark against threats like mass shootings.
There has been no shortage of episodes to back up their concerns. In Orange County, Fla., in November, a school resource officer was fired after a video showed him grasping a middle school student’s hair and yanking her head back during an arrest after students fought near school grounds. A few weeks later, an officer assigned to a school in Vance County, N.C., lost his job after he repeatedly slammed an 11-year old boy to the ground.There has been no shortage of episodes to back up their concerns. In Orange County, Fla., in November, a school resource officer was fired after a video showed him grasping a middle school student’s hair and yanking her head back during an arrest after students fought near school grounds. A few weeks later, an officer assigned to a school in Vance County, N.C., lost his job after he repeatedly slammed an 11-year old boy to the ground.
For years, activists have called on districts to rein in campus police. They cite data showing that mass shootings like those in Parkland, Fla., or Newtown, Conn., are rare, and crime on school grounds has generally declined in recent years.For years, activists have called on districts to rein in campus police. They cite data showing that mass shootings like those in Parkland, Fla., or Newtown, Conn., are rare, and crime on school grounds has generally declined in recent years.
Still, efforts to remove school resource officers face the same pushback as a broader national effort to reduce funding for police departments: resistance from the police themselves, who are often politically powerful, and concern from some parents and school officials that removing officers could leave schools and students vulnerable.Still, efforts to remove school resource officers face the same pushback as a broader national effort to reduce funding for police departments: resistance from the police themselves, who are often politically powerful, and concern from some parents and school officials that removing officers could leave schools and students vulnerable.
The Louisville Metro Council on Thursday unanimously voted to ban “no-knock” warrants, a controversial procedure that the city’s police force used during the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor in March. The killing of George Floyd has resonated in Europe, drawing thousands of demonstrators into the streets of cities like Paris, London and Berlin. The message has been one of solidarity with protesters in the United States — but also a call to look at racism at home.
Mayor Greg Fischer said on Twitter that he would sign the ban into law. The protesters’ cries have brought to the surface a history of discrimination, especially regarding police tactics, which are now being vigorously challenged in several countries. So far, no matter where charges of systemic racism have been leveled, they have been met mostly with firm official denial.
The measure, known as Breonna’s Law, also sets new guidelines for other types of search warrants, according to a statement from the council. It requires that police officers have their body cameras on when conducting a search. “France, the national police, the gendarmerie, they are not racist,” the French prime minister, Édouard Philippe, insisted in Parliament on Tuesday.
“A few weeks ago, the community began to cry out for justice and change,” said Councilwoman Barbara Saxton Smith, a primary sponsor of the ordinance. “You spoke, we listened, and tonight we took action.” Yet available statistics, and the experience of Europe’s minority populations, often tell a different story. In France, the problems are perhaps most acute. The French police, a largely white force, routinely target African and Arab youths for identity checks and have a long track record of abusive arrests as well as deaths in custody.
Ms. Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, was killed by the police during a late-night drug investigation after three officers used a no-knock warrant to enter her apartment without warning. Her boyfriend, who later said he thought someone was breaking into the apartment, shot an officer in the leg. The officers shot Ms. Taylor eight times; they have not been charged despite widespread protests calling for their arrests. “The list is too long,” Assa Traoré told a crowd of demonstrators outside a Paris courthouse last week, reciting the names of those who died in encounters with the police.
“All she wanted to do was save lives,” Ms. Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, said after the ordinance was passed. “With this law, she’ll get to continue to do that. She would be so happy.” The French police, furious at a popular backlash against them, pushed back against government attempts to change their practices and to discipline officers suspected of racism, with demonstrations of their own on Friday.
There were also signs on Friday that the government of President Emmanuel Macron might backtrack, as the interior minister met hurriedly all afternoon with police unions to quell the storm of anger.
The tens of thousands of French who turned out to demonstrate in solidarity with American protesters have also demanded that the government address a long history of policing that they say unfairly targets minorities, resulting in harassment, racial profiling, disproportionate arrests and unjustified deaths during confrontations and in detention.
The international ramifications of the recent protests against law enforcement tactics have reached to nations outside Europe.
Canadians were horrified at a police dash cam video released on Thursday showing an Indigenous chief being tackled to the ground by a police officer, punched in the head and put in a chokehold.
Allan Adam, chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in northern Alberta, was questioned by the police about an expired license plate. He ended up charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, according to the CBC. The video was presented as an exhibit in his court case.
“It is unacceptable,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, calling the video “shocking.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain on Friday made a series of critical comments about large anti-discrimination protests that were prompted by the death of George Floyd, and said people “should not support” the demonstrations.Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain on Friday made a series of critical comments about large anti-discrimination protests that were prompted by the death of George Floyd, and said people “should not support” the demonstrations.
With more rallies planned in London and across the country this weekend, Mr. Johnson risked drawing outrage, as he urged Britons to “stay away from these protests.”With more rallies planned in London and across the country this weekend, Mr. Johnson risked drawing outrage, as he urged Britons to “stay away from these protests.”
“It is clear that the protests have been sadly hijacked by extremists intent on violence,” he wrote as part of a substantial Twitter thread. “The attacks on the police and indiscriminate acts of violence which we have witnessed over the last week are intolerable and they are abhorrent.”“It is clear that the protests have been sadly hijacked by extremists intent on violence,” he wrote as part of a substantial Twitter thread. “The attacks on the police and indiscriminate acts of violence which we have witnessed over the last week are intolerable and they are abhorrent.”
The demonstrations that have gripped the United States have spilled over to Britain in recent weeks, with thousands rallying on the streets of London and other cities. And the call for an end to racial discrimination has forced soul searching in Britain as the country examines its own history of abuse, colonialism and participation in the slave trade.The demonstrations that have gripped the United States have spilled over to Britain in recent weeks, with thousands rallying on the streets of London and other cities. And the call for an end to racial discrimination has forced soul searching in Britain as the country examines its own history of abuse, colonialism and participation in the slave trade.
While the mass demonstrations have remained largely peaceful, there have been pockets of violence and monuments have been vandalized.While the mass demonstrations have remained largely peaceful, there have been pockets of violence and monuments have been vandalized.
A statue of Winston Churchill was defaced on Sunday in central London, with the words “was a racist” scrawled across the monument. By Friday, the statute had been covered by a protective box to prevent further vandalism.A statue of Winston Churchill was defaced on Sunday in central London, with the words “was a racist” scrawled across the monument. By Friday, the statute had been covered by a protective box to prevent further vandalism.
On the same day, protesters in the city of Bristol tore down a statue of Edward Colston, a prominent benefactor of the city who made his money from the slave trade, and thrust the figure into the harbor.On the same day, protesters in the city of Bristol tore down a statue of Edward Colston, a prominent benefactor of the city who made his money from the slave trade, and thrust the figure into the harbor.
Mr. Johnson, who appeared to take particular ire with the defacing of the statute of Churchill, a former prime minister, posted on Twitter that he believed the tearing down statues of problematic figures would be “to lie about our history, and impoverish the education of generations to come.”Mr. Johnson, who appeared to take particular ire with the defacing of the statute of Churchill, a former prime minister, posted on Twitter that he believed the tearing down statues of problematic figures would be “to lie about our history, and impoverish the education of generations to come.”
Mr. Johnson has also come under scrutiny for his delay in addressing the growing protests in Britain and his own past use of racist language: In a 2002 column he referred to a “cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies,” an offensive term for a black child, and to African people as having “watermelon smiles.” Mr. Johnson has also come under scrutiny for his delay in addressing the growing protests in Britain and his own past use of racist language: In a 2002 column he referred to “cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies,” an offensive term for a black child, and to African people as having “watermelon smiles.”
Bill de Blasio took helm of New York City as a white mayor who tied his fortunes to black constituents, with promises to overhaul the Police Department and reduce racial inequality.
On Monday’s segment of his prime time program, the Fox News host Tucker Carlson cast doubt on the reasons behind the worldwide unrest prompted by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month. But after a series of missteps amid the coronavirus pandemic and protests against police brutality, many of Mr. de Blasio’s black advisers and supporters have abandoned him — a blow that threatens to taint his legacy and erode his last and most faithful constituency.
“This may be a lot of things, this moment we are living through,” Mr. Carlson said. “But it is definitely not about black lives, and remember that when they come for you. And at this rate, they will.” Much of the anger stems from Mr. de Blasio’s handling of the mass protests that have unfolded across the city following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Since he made those statements and others, prominent companies including The Walt Disney Company, Papa John’s, Poshmark and T-Mobile have distanced themselves from “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” joining other businesses that have backed away from the show in recent years. When asked about a video of two police cruisers being deliberately driven into protesters, the mayor defended the officers involved. Other images of the police in violent clashes with protesters flooded social media, but Mr. de Blasio would typically say that he had not seen them. When images of looting circulated on the news, the mayor imposed a curfew that was aggressively enforced by the police, who arrested hundreds of protesters. Mr. de Blasio further alienated many demonstrators by praising the police for exercising restraint.
The flight of advertisers accelerated on Tuesday, when the watchdog group Sleeping Giants tagged T-Mobile in a Twitter post, saying that Fox News had aired what amounted to an “extremely racist segment scaremongering about the Black community.” Former advisers publicly questioned the mayor’s commitment to overhauling the Police Department. Hundreds of current and former mayoral staff members demonstrated against him.
The telecommunications giant responded on Twitter, saying that its ads had not run on the show since early May and would not run in the future. Mike Sievert, T-Mobile’s chief executive, added a post of his own: “Bye-bye, Tucker Carlson!” And even when Mr. de Blasio called for the officer involved in Mr. Floyd’s death in Minneapolis to be immediately charged, it only underscored how the mayor had steadfastly refused to fire the officer whose chokehold led to the death of Eric Garner, a Staten Island man, in 2014.
Companies are trying to be especially sensitive amid the nationwide reckoning over race. Many, including Disney, T-Mobile, Poshmark and Papa John’s, have posted messages on social media in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Others have been advertising less in recent weeks. While Mr. de Blasio has had his share of accomplishments aimed at reducing income inequality, black leaders have questioned his commitment to overhauling criminal justice.
Fox News said the advertiser departures had not caused the network to suffer a financial hit overall, noting that the commercials that would have run nationwide on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” had moved to other programs on the network. Under Mr. de Blasio, the Police Department fought in court to expand the interpretation of a 1970s-era law in the state’s civil code known as 50-a, so that it could shield the results of disciplinary hearings against individual officers. The State Legislature voted to repeal the law this week.
On Thursday night, a hashtag campaign — #IStandWithTucker — sprang up on Twitter, with his fans appending it to messages of support for the host. As the phrase made the list of the platform’s trending topics, Mr. Carlson’s detractors tweeted insults at the host and the network that employs him while making use of the same hashtag. The mayor also questioned a bill that would criminalize the police use of chokeholds and was opposed to closing Rikers Island, stances that he eventually changed once it became obvious they would become state law.
Mr. Carlson, who recently sold his stake in the conservative site The Daily Caller, has lost major advertisers in the past few years. Dozens of companies, including Pacific Life, Farmers Insurance and IHOP, have distanced themselves following his on-air comments about white supremacy, immigrants and women. After strongly resisting the idea of cutting the Police Department’s budget, the mayor suddenly announced that he would shift money from the police to youth and social services. The reversal in his stance came amid renewed efforts to salvage his relationship with black supporters.
But his show remains a linchpin of the Fox News lineup, drawing 4.8 million viewers last week. Yet some black leaders say the changes the mayor has proposed so far don’t go far enough.
Reporting was contributed by Emily Badger, Mike Baker, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Jonah Engel Bromwich, Quoctrung Bui, Matt Furber, Dana Goldstein, Alisha Haridasani Gupta, Maggie Haberman, Amy Harmon, Jack Healy, Tiffany Hsu, Dan Levin, Megan Specia, Matt Stevens and Sabrina Tavernise.
Reporting was contributed by Emily Badger, Mike Baker, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Jonah Engel Bromwich, Quoctrung Bui, Matt Furber, Dana Goldstein, Alisha Haridasani Gupta, Maggie Haberman, Amy Harmon, Jack Healy, Tiffany Hsu, Dan Levin, Megan Specia, Matt Stevens and Sabrina Tavernise.