Washington prepares for major protest as Democratic officials move to rein in police

rooster59 · June 7, 2020

Washington prepares for major protest as Democratic officials move to rein in police

By Nandita Bose and Lucas Jackson

People participate in a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in front of the White House, in Washington, U.S., June 5, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Protesters began to gather in Washington for a big demonstration on Saturday as street marches across the United States to protest the killing of a black man in custody enter a 12th day and authorities move to rein in policing tactics.

George Floyd, 46, died on May 25 in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The killing has triggered protests against racism and police brutality in cities and smaller communities nationwide, as well as demonstrations by supporters around the world.

Some activists have called on social media for a million people to attend Saturday's rally in the U.S. capital.

"We have a lot of public, open source information to suggest that the event on this upcoming Saturday may be one of the largest we've ever had in the city," Washington DC Police Chief Peter Newsham told local media without giving an estimate. Local media has predicted tens of thousands will attend.

Six buses unloaded several hundred uniformed military personnel, most wearing body armor and carrying shields, at the White House grounds early on Saturday, a Reuters photographer said. Military Humvees were parked on tree-lined city streets.

On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, a small group of protesters sang worship songs as crowds gathered. Free bottles of water and snacks were set up outside a church nearby.

Delonno Carroll, a 27-year-old construction worker, said he had come out to demonstrate because he "simply cannot" sit and watch from home.

"Our voices need to be heard," Carroll said. "No longer can we have a man call out for his mom on the streets and have to go through what George Floyd did."

'EXTREME TACTICS'

Footage of Floyd's death recorded by an onlooker showed the man repeatedly pleading for his life and telling the officers he could not breathe, before he went silent.

A second memorial service was held for Floyd on Saturday in North Carolina, where he was born. Hundreds lined up at a church in Raeford to pay their respects during a public viewing, and a private service for the family was scheduled for later in the day.

Thousands took to the streets across Europe and Australia, as did hundreds in Tokyo and Seoul, in support of U.S. protests against police brutality.

Marches and rallies took place on Friday in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Miami, New York and Denver, among other places. The night-time protests were largely peaceful but tension remains high even as authorities in several places take steps to reform police procedures.

A federal judge in Denver ordered city police to stop using tear gas, plastic bullets and other "less-than-lethal" devices such as flash grenades, with his ruling citing examples of protesters and journalists being injured by police.

"These are peaceful demonstrators, journalists, and medics who have been targeted with extreme tactics meant to suppress riots, not to suppress demonstrations," U.S. District Judge R. Brooke Jackson wrote in the ruling.

In Minneapolis, Democratic city leaders voted to end the use of knee restraints and choke holds, while California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, said he would end state police training of restraints that restrict the carotid artery in the neck.

In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo said his state would lead the way in passing reforms including banning choke holds and making police disciplinary records publicly available.

"Mr Floyd's murder was the breaking point," said Cuomo, a Democrat. "People are saying enough is enough."

Black Lives Matter activists have called for cities to defund police departments. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat who in April proposed increasing law enforcement funding, this week reversed course and said he would seek some $150 million in cuts to the Los Angeles Police Department.

BUFFALO OFFICERS ARRAIGNED

In a case from New York state that drew wide attention after two police officers were filmed shoving a 75-year-old protester to the ground in Buffalo, the two officers were arraigned on second-degree felony assault charges on Saturday.

The officers, who were supported outside the court house by hundreds of law enforcement colleagues, pleaded not guilty during a virtual arraignment, according to a spokeswoman for the local district attorney's office.

The victim was treated for a head injury, loss of consciousness and bleeding from the right ear, authorities said, and remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The demonstrations have erupted as the American public and businesses struggle to recover from sweeping lockdowns imposed to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Disease experts have said the protests could spark new outbreaks.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has sparred with U.S. President Donald Trump over his sometimes heavy-handed response to the rallies and marches in the nation's capital, on Friday had the slogan "Black Lives Matter" painted in massive yellow letters on a street leading to the White House.

After nightfall, Bowser had light projections spelling out the words beamed onto nearby buildings, which she said on Twitter was a "night light" aimed at Trump.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne, Sharon Bernstein, Dan Whitcomb, Matt Spetalnick, Raphael Satter, Keith Coffman, Rich McKay, Barbara Goldberg, Lucas Jackson, Linda So and Scott Malone; Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Pravin Char and Daniel Wallis)

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izod10 · June 7, 2020

All the demonstrators want is free money,that is why George stuck a gun in a pregnant women's belly

Tug · June 7, 2020

28 minutes ago, izod10 said:

All the demonstrators want is free money,that is why George stuck a gun in a pregnant women's belly

Ahhh no they want fair treatment not murder at the hands of some bad cop Floyd was handcuffed and no threat all they or anyone wants is fair even handed treatment by the police kind like dr king said judge me by the content of my caricature not the color of my skin

JohnOFphon · June 7, 2020

I think ALL police officers across the county should take a week off.. All at the same time.

Bye bye America. Had a good run.

Mbaki · June 7, 2020

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Ahhh no they want fair treatment not murder at the hands of some bad cop Floyd was handcuffed and no threat all they or anyone wants is fair even handed treatment by the police kind like dr king said judge me by the content of my caricature not the color of my skin

George Floyd was a hardened criminal with multiple offenses, it’s a shame they had to pick him as the face for “Black Lives Matter”.

ehs818 · June 7, 2020

Wow, even though there are just a few posts here, they are already racist and blaming George Floyds past as the provocation of the cop killing him in front of everyone. Everyone has things in their past that they may not be proud of, but Floyd moved on and was not guilty of anything that deserved the death penalty. I'm saddened that racism exists here in Pattaya in the same way it is institutional in the US.

Mavideol · June 7, 2020

2 hours ago, izod10 said:

All the demonstrators want is free money,that is why George stuck a gun in a pregnant women's belly

nahh, it appears, all they want is for Trump to leave

Tug · June 7, 2020

22 minutes ago, Mbaki said:

George Floyd was a hardened criminal with multiple offenses, it’s a shame they had to pick him as the face for “Black Lives Matter”.

It doesent matter if Floyd was a criminal he was handcuffed and no threat no excuses none nada zip zilch

Mavideol · June 7, 2020

29 minutes ago, Mbaki said:

George Floyd was a hardened criminal with multiple offenses, it’s a shame they had to pick him as the face for “Black Lives Matter”.

maybe Don King, Mike Tyson, Kanye West, Shaquille O’Neal, Jimmie Walker, etc....

The 8 Kinds of Black Donald Trump Supporters

1. MAGA-scots

One of “the good ones.” These are the black people who are willing to serve as mascots for the white people who love Trump. They do so for a variety of reasons. Some of them are black people of middling intelligence, but when they are surrounded by mediocre white people, the combination of racism and low-IQ makes conservatives think the MAGA-scots must be geniuses.

https://www.theroot.com/the-8-kinds-of-black-donald-trump-supporters-1828064968

ThailandRyan · June 7, 2020

56 minutes ago, ehs818 said:

Wow, even though there are just a few posts here, they are already racist and blaming George Floyds past as the provocation of the cop killing him in front of everyone. Everyone has things in their past that they may not be proud of, but Floyd moved on and was not guilty of anything that deserved the death penalty. I'm saddened that racism exists here in Pattaya in the same way it is institutional in the US.

Unfortunately, I believe there is more to the story between Chauvin and Floyd. The two had prior history while working as security guards for a venue. Who knows what occurred and why Chauvin decided to exact the type of punishment he did...we will probably never know until the trial starts and whatever defense he comes up with is unveiled.

No one should ever be treated the way Floyd was. History of a person however does lead to different approaches by law enforcement officers. Not all situations are the same. However, when it has deescalated and someone is in custody and in cuffs they deserve to be treated with the proper treatment and justice will be meted out by the court system if warranted.

blazes · June 7, 2020

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Black Lives Matter activists have called for cities to defund police departments. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat who in April proposed increasing law enforcement funding, this week reversed course and said he would seek some $150 million in cuts to the Los Angeles Police Department.

DEFUND the police????? What utterly moronic idiots these rioters are!

I'd love to see Garcetti's face as he dials 911, only to find that there are no police left to come and deal with these rioters trying to burn down his house....

The Barmbeker · June 7, 2020

1 hour ago, blazes said:

DEFUND the police????? What utterly moronic idiots these rioters are!

I'd love to see Garcetti's face as he dials 911, only to find that there are no police left to come and deal with these rioters trying to burn down his house....

You are aware, that "defunding" is meant in the sense of "taking away their para-military- toys", fe, don't you?

It is not about taking away their uniforms and make them wear sacks!

By the way: teachers in the US are grossly underpaid, some of them use their own money to buy food for some poor students!

In the last weeks, it became clear that the healthcare - system ist grossly underfunded, as nurses and doctors had to make their own masks, when they worked with COVID- patients!

Maybe a little bit of your outrage should be directed at these facts and not about the fear that the police might not be able to buy nuclear- drones next!

Baerboxer · June 7, 2020

4 hours ago, Tug said:

Ahhh no they want fair treatment not murder at the hands of some bad cop Floyd was handcuffed and no threat all they or anyone wants is fair even handed treatment by the police kind like dr king said judge me by the content of my caricature not the color of my skin

Mr. Floyd was most certainly killed unlawfully. The actions of the killer were disgusting. Three other police officers should have intervened. All this needs thorough investigations before their trials.

Unfortunately police in the US have a tendency to be very physical and somewhat trigger happy when compared to other countries. And African-Americans and the police have an appalling relationship at times.

However, that does not justify the murder of police officers, the rioting, looting and anarchy that's been going on. That behavior has nothing to do with protesting police brutality. It has everything to do with political views that want to destabilize and destroy society for their own agenda.

Baerboxer · June 7, 2020

2 hours ago, ehs818 said:

Wow, even though there are just a few posts here, they are already racist and blaming George Floyds past as the provocation of the cop killing him in front of everyone. Everyone has things in their past that they may not be proud of, but Floyd moved on and was not guilty of anything that deserved the death penalty. I'm saddened that racism exists here in Pattaya in the same way it is institutional in the US.

From what I read, I'm not sure that the police had even questioned him or the shop keeper who reported a forged note properly before arresting Mr. Floyd. To then kneel on his neck for over 8 minutes, whilst he was defenseless and pleading was totally inexcusable. The killer, based on the video evidence, must surely be convicted and receive a long jail sentence.

However, has another poster commented. The past relationship, if any, between killer and victim needs to come out. Maybe this is relevant, maybe not. But it shouldn't be ignored.

The point is that whilst Mr. Floyd's murder is disgusting he was no angle and certainly not a good role model for African-Americans. A crime filled life when younger to fuel illegal drugs. Not exactly poster boy material.

If you want to understand why criminal race hate retaliation isn't appropriate, ever, read MLK Jnr, Mandela or Muhammad Ali on the subject.

brucec64 · June 7, 2020

3 hours ago, ehs818 said:

Wow, even though there are just a few posts here, they are already racist and blaming George Floyds past as the provocation of the cop killing him in front of everyone. Everyone has things in their past that they may not be proud of, but Floyd moved on and was not guilty of anything that deserved the death penalty. I'm saddened that racism exists here in Pattaya in the same way it is institutional in the US.

"Floyd moved on" - seriously? It is terrible what happened to him, and there is no excuse for it, but George Floyd was not someone who was destined to die of old age. Would you have invited George Floyd over for dinner in your home, with you and the kids? No, you would cross the street if he was walking in your direction.

Edited June 7, 2020 by brucec64

The Barmbeker · June 7, 2020

31 minutes ago, brucec64 said:

"Floyd moved on" - seriously? It is terrible what happened to him, and there is no excuse fir it, but George Floyd was not someone who was destined to die of old age. Would you have invited George Floyd over for dinner in your home, with you and the kids? No, you would cross the street if he was walking in your direction.

"It is terrible what happened to him, and there is no excuse fir it, but..."

You say "no excuse" and then start excusing it!

He had done his time, he had not commited any crime since and he was killed!

THAT is the problem...and people like you, maing excuses for that!

brucec64 · June 7, 2020

Just now, The Barmbeker said:

"It is terrible what happened to him, and there is no excuse fir it, but..."

You say "no excuse" and then start excusing it!

He had done his time, he had not commited any crime since and he was killed!

THAT is the problem...and people like you, maing excuses for that!

He had not done any crime? There was meth and fentanyl in his system. Last I checked, that was a crime, and i'm fairly certain he did not pick that exact day to start using serious drugs again.

TKDfella · June 7, 2020

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

Mr. Floyd was most certainly killed unlawfully. The actions of the killer were disgusting. Three other police officers should have intervened. All this needs thorough investigations before their trials.

Unfortunately police in the US have a tendency to be very physical and somewhat trigger happy when compared to other countries. And African-Americans and the police have an appalling relationship at times.

However, that does not justify the murder of police officers, the rioting, looting and anarchy that's been going on. That behavior has nothing to do with protesting police brutality. It has everything to do with political views that want to destabilize and destroy society for their own agenda.

Yep, agree with you. I notice that nobody waited until the fate of the four police involved was determined and it was almost straight out to loot and destroy. There was no need to knee choke Floyd and those policemen should be punished but for people to start advocating the the removal of the police force and communities forming a 'Peace Force' is unwise at best and crazy at worst. Governors talk about dropping millions of Dollars from the police budget but who will pay for such 'Peace Force's'?

spidermike007 · June 7, 2020

This is amazing. I am loving every minute or the peaceful protests. As much flack as the public can shove into Trump's face, the better. The more humiliation he has to suffer, the better. It is a major show of disapproval.

First an utter failure with the FEMA effort after Hurricane Maria. Then an utter failure with Covid. And now this blatant failure to appeal to the American people, on any level? The complete inability to show any sincere sympathy, empathy, or compassion? The total inability to lead, and heal a broken nation?

He has failed miserably, and he should resign immediately.

TKDfella · June 7, 2020

33 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is amazing. I am loving every minute or the peaceful protests. As much flack as the public can shove into Trump's face, the better. The more humiliation he has to suffer, the better. It is a major show of disapproval.

First an utter failure with the FEMA effort after Hurricane Maria. Then an utter failure with Covid. And now this blatant failure to appeal to the American people, on any level? The complete inability to show any sincere sympathy, empathy, or compassion? The total inability to lead, and heal a broken nation?

He has failed miserably, and he should resign immediately.

You only mention the 'peaceful protests'...What about the violence, the looting and the killings that appear to have taken over? Are you 'loving' those too?

spidermike007 · June 7, 2020

18 minutes ago, TKDfella said:

You only mention the 'peaceful protests'...What about the violence, the looting and the killings that appear to have taken over? Are you 'loving' those too?

You are unnecessarily putting words in my mouth and making a rather inane assumption. No. The vast majority are peaceful now. Rather than violence taking over, the exact opposite has happened. Very few of the current protests are turning violent. Does that somehow offend you? The whole notion of a democracy expressing itself in a democratic manner?

Is it possible your reply has more to do with a certain horse race in the upcoming months and the rather massive denunciation by the American people, that the protests can now be interpreted as?

Edited June 7, 2020 by spidermike007

robblok · June 7, 2020

5 hours ago, Mbaki said:

George Floyd was a hardened criminal with multiple offenses, it’s a shame they had to pick him as the face for “Black Lives Matter”.

George Floyd has no convictions since he moved to Minnesota in 2009 so 11 years no conviction. Pretty smart criminal to totally avoid being caught by the police. So either the police is incompetent or he cleaned up his act. (I dont consider drug use making someone a hardened criminal).

Edited June 7, 2020 by robblok

Sujo · June 7, 2020

7 hours ago, JohnOFphon said:

I think ALL police officers across the county should take a week off.. All at the same time.

Bye bye America. Had a good run.

I think ALL police officers should do their job.

Sujo · June 7, 2020

5 hours ago, Mbaki said:

George Floyd was a hardened criminal with multiple offenses, it’s a shame they had to pick him as the face for “Black Lives Matter”.

was he not black enough for you. Perhaps blame the officer that chose him to kill.

Sujo · June 7, 2020

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

Mr. Floyd was most certainly killed unlawfully. The actions of the killer were disgusting. Three other police officers should have intervened. All this needs thorough investigations before their trials.

Unfortunately police in the US have a tendency to be very physical and somewhat trigger happy when compared to other countries. And African-Americans and the police have an appalling relationship at times.

However, that does not justify the murder of police officers, the rioting, looting and anarchy that's been going on. That behavior has nothing to do with protesting police brutality. It has everything to do with political views that want to destabilize and destroy society for their own agenda.

A tip for free. Police are trigger happy in the US of A because of guns. So blame the nra. Other countries that you speak of dont have that right to have guns so police dont automatically assume its a kill or be killed situation.

A traffic stop does not need to be life or death situation when guns are restricted and not the norm.

This guy had neither and was killed for no reason other than police thought it was ok.

spidermike007 · June 7, 2020

14 minutes ago, robblok said:

George Floyd has no convictions since he moved to Minnesota in 2009 so 11 years no conviction. Pretty smart criminal to totally avoid being caught by the police. So either the police is incompetent or he cleaned up his act. (I dont consider drug use making someone a hardened criminal).

Thank you for that. To consider a number of minor drug offenses to constitute a "long rap sheet" is mere deflection and a total reflection of white power.

Sujo · June 7, 2020

2 hours ago, brucec64 said:

"Floyd moved on" - seriously? It is terrible what happened to him, and there is no excuse for it, but George Floyd was not someone who was destined to die of old age. Would you have invited George Floyd over for dinner in your home, with you and the kids? No, you would cross the street if he was walking in your direction.

Im sure that is relevant to the yehaa brigade somewhere.

Sujo · June 7, 2020

25 minutes ago, TKDfella said:

You only mention the 'peaceful protests'...What about the violence, the looting and the killings that appear to have taken over? Are you 'loving' those too?

Well police are certainly doing their fair share.

Chiphigh · June 7, 2020

5 hours ago, Mavideol said:

maybe Don King, Mike Tyson, Kanye West, Shaquille O’Neal, Jimmie Walker, etc....

The 8 Kinds of Black Donald Trump Supporters

1. MAGA-scots

One of “the good ones.” These are the black people who are willing to serve as mascots for the white people who love Trump. They do so for a variety of reasons. Some of them are black people of middling intelligence, but when they are surrounded by mediocre white people, the combination of racism and low-IQ makes conservatives think the MAGA-scots must be geniuses.

https://www.theroot.com/the-8-kinds-of-black-donald-trump-supporters-1828064968

What a load of nonsense. Telling people that if they don't follow the disastrous democratic plantation they are less of a human being.

Liberals truly believe this trope. The media helps push the bs.

They are waking up to you. And it is threatening your power.

Sujo · June 7, 2020

21 minutes ago, robblok said:

George Floyd has no convictions since he moved to Minnesota in 2009 so 11 years no conviction. Pretty smart criminal to totally avoid being caught by the police. So either the police is incompetent or he cleaned up his act. (I dont consider drug use making someone a hardened criminal).

Which is totally irrelevant anyway. He was in custody, controlled. Which the video confirms because there are 4 officers there.

A couple of the officers were new, only a week on the job. I dont think anyone should blame them when their boss decides to be the big ape and try to show them that this is how its done.

I even congratulate one newbie for asking his boss to ease up and turn him over.

Responsibility lies with chauvin thinking he is the be all and end all.

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Washington prepares for major protest as Democratic officials move to rein in police

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