Tag: George Floyd

Trump wanted military to take aggressive action against George Floyd protesters: report

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Former President Donald Trump wanted the military to take aggressive action against protesters following the disturbing death of George Floyd. A new book documents the former president’s disturbing demands to quell protests. 

In the new book, “Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost,” Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Bender details the series of events that led to Trump’s downfall. At one point in the book, he also discusses the nationwide protests that erupted following Floyd’s death. According to Bender, Trump allegedly wanted physical harm to be brought against protesters and even suggested that they be shot.

Although the vast majority of protests were non-violent and peaceful, Trump still demanded to see law enforcement take physical action. “That’s how you’re supposed to handle these people,” Trump told his administrative officials, according to Bender’s reporting. “Crack their skulls!” Continue reading.

St. Louis couple who pointed guns at protesters plead guilty, will give up firearms

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A St. Louis couple who gained notoriety for waving guns at racial justice protesters last summer pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor charges and agreed to give up the guns they used during the confrontation.

Video and photographs of rifle-wielding Mark McCloskey and pistol-toting Patricia McCloskey in front of their mansion on June 28 captured the attention of the country, including then-President Donald Trump, who spoke out in defense of the couple. Trump and other Republicans considered the McCloskeys law-abiding homeowners defending their property. Others saw the couple as overly aggressive toward protesters who were marching through the gated community to the home of then-Mayor Lyda Krewson amid nationwide protests after a police officer killed George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The couple, both personal injury attorneys, faced felony firearm charges after the menacing display in front of their marble-faced palazzo home but ultimately pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Continue reading.

House DFL Team: One Year Later

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One year ago today George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. The guilty verdicts delivered earlier this spring are a step toward justice, but there is a long way to go to provide true public safety and justice for all. 

Last year the Legislature, led by the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus, passed the Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020 which included a ban on chokeholds, use of force reforms, and mental health training amongst other critical reforms. This was a good first step, but more needs to be done.

 No matter where we were born, how we pray, or what we look like, every Minnesotan deserves to make it home at the end of the day. George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and so many others should still be alive.  

While we can’t bring George Floyd back, we can honor his memory by continuing the fight for justice and accountability. 

Rep. Dean Phillips (CD3) Statement on the Anniversary of George Floyd’s Death

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WASHINGTON, DC ― Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) released the following statement on the anniversary of George Floyd’s death, as police reform negotiations continue, led by a bipartisan group of lawmakers that includes Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Rep. Phillips’s colleagues on the Problem Solvers Caucus:

“It was one year ago, today. George Floyd’s murder finally forced our country to acknowledge and confront the systemic racism that has ended too many Black lives and dreams. And while progress is being made, justice and opportunity for all requires a collective commitment. As we stand at the cusp of a bipartisan agreement on policing reforms to ensure accountability and enhance safety for all Americans, I urge President Biden and Congressional leaders to choose what is just over what is easy. Inaction is unacceptable, and the time is now.”

DFL Party Statement on the Anniversary of the Death of George Floyd

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Saint Paul, Minnesota – Today, Minnesota DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement on the anniversary of the death of George Floyd:

“One year ago today, George Floyd was slowly and agonizingly murdered under the knee of then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. George Floyd didn’t ask to be a symbol and he didn’t ask to give his life to motivate a mass movement, he just wanted to be able to breathe and we failed him.

“While Floyd’s killer has been brought to justice, that is not nearly enough. We cannot content ourselves with justice after the fact because that leaves in place the unjust systems that brought about George Floyd’s death in the first place. We must make real, durable, and systemic change to protect Black lives in Minnesota and across America. I urge Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and I urge Minnesota lawmakers to build on last year’s work by passing the police reform measures put forward by House DFLers. Failing to act is simply not an option.”

POCI Caucus Statement on the Anniversary of the Murder of George Floyd

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Saint Paul, Minnesota — Today, May 25, is the first anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. The Minnesota People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus released the following statement:

“We must ask ourselves: What has truly changed since last year? The fact remains that another name continues to replace George Floyd. Black men are still dying at the hands of law enforcement. Trust between our communities of color and police remains at record lows. BIPOC communities still do not feel that police keep them safe. Republican colleagues continue to devalue our lived experience and the experience of our communities as they use our calls for change as bargaining chips to secure tax cuts for the wealthy.

“Yet, we know we can never return to a world before the murder of George Floyd, our mindset on how our communities are affected by police and what role they play in our safety has permanently shifted. Whether this is a true sea change that will impact our entire nation remains to be seen. While the murderer was held accountable, and we managed to pass a modicum of police accountability legislation last year, we are meeting increased resistance from the status quo against our calls for more significant reforms.

Continue reading “POCI Caucus Statement on the Anniversary of the Murder of George Floyd”

Appeals court hears case of 3 ex-cops charged in Floyd death

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — Attorneys for the state and for three former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd ’s death appeared before the Minnesota Court of Appeals on Thursday as prosecutors sought to add an additional charge to the case.

Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao are scheduled to face trial next March on charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter. Prosecutors want to add an additional count of aiding and abetting third-degree murder.

The three-judge panel has 90 days to rule. Based on an appeals court decision in February and a related ruling in the case of former officer Derek Chauvin that found the February ruling was binding, the judges could rule in favor of the state and send the case back to the lower court to add the charge. Continue reading.

St. Paul man sentenced to prison and $12 million restitution for arson of Minneapolis’ Third Precinct

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Branden M. Wolfe of St. Paul also stole police weapons, other gear during last summer’s riots in Minneapolis. 

A St. Paul man who helped burn down the Minneapolis Third Precinct headquarters and stole police weapons and other gear during last summer’s riots was sentenced this week to 3 ½ years in prison and ordered to pay $12 million in restitution.

Branden Michael Wolfe, 23, was among hundreds who gathered outside the south Minneapolis police station on May 28, three days after George Floyd was killed during an encounter with four Minneapolis police officers, which was captured on bystander video. The crowd tore down a fence surrounding the building and chanted, “Burn it down!”

While others set a fire, Wolfe rolled a barrel into the police station with “the intent to accelerate” the blaze, according to court records. He also entered the building and stole a police vest, duty belt, handcuffs, earpiece, baton, knife, riot helmet, pistol magazine, police radio, police overdose kit, uniform name plates and ammunition, according to prosecutors. Continue reading.

Derek Chauvin, 3 former officers indicted on federal civil rights charges

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A federal grand jury Friday has indicted Derek Chauvin and three other former Minneapolis officers for civil rights violations related to the death of George Floyd.

Why it matters: The new charges mean the officers could face another high-profile criminal trial following a yearlong racial reckoning across the nation.

Details: The grand jury indicted Chauvin in two cases: for kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes in May 2020 and for a similar arrest of a 14-year-old boy in 2017.  Continue reading.

You have the right to film police. Here’s how to do it effectively — and safely.

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Smartphone video was critical in convicting Derek Chauvin of murdering George Floyd. Here are five practical and technical lessons for using your camera to bear witness.

Darnella Frazier changed the course of history by tapping record on her smartphone. We can learn a lot from her about what to do when facing down badges, guns and a potentially dangerous situation.

On the way to the convenience store last May, Frazier came upon George Floyd being arrested by police officer Derek Chauvin. Then 17, Frazier recorded for 10 minutes and nine seconds, during which Floyd was murdered.

She kept a distance so her phone was not confiscated. Continue reading.