Tag: racial injustice

Live updates: After solemn memorial, mourners gather around the country to remember George Floyd

Washington Post logoMourners gathered by the thousands in cities around the country Thursday night to remember George Floyd, following a private memorial service in Minneapolis for the 46-year-old black man whose death in police custody sparked widespread protests against police violence and systemic racism.

“At the end of the day, my brother’s gone, but the Floyd name lives on,” Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd, told a sea of supporters at a rally in Brooklyn. “I thank God for y’all.”

Here are some significant developments:

  • The American Civil Liberties Union and Black Lives Matter on Thursday accused President Trump and his administration of authorizing an “unprovoked and frankly criminal attack” on demonstrators to enable a photo op of the president holding a Bible in front of the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church. Continue reading.

The two very different ends of Pennsylvania Avenue

Calm on Capitol Hill compared to chaotic response at the White House

The contrast between how the George Floyd protests unfolded at the White House and on Capitol Hill could hardly be greater, with Congress’ relatively calm reaction to protesters and its own legislative business a vivid rejoinder to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Chaos on Monday at Lafayette Square was replaced with a chaotic executive branch openly feuding with itself on Wednesday.

As demonstrators began to march down Pennsylvania Avenue from Freedom Plaza to Capitol Hill on Wednesday morning, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opened the chamber with remarks that acknowledged the protests and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but largely came from the Kentucky Republican’s rhetorical quiver. Continue reading.

Obama calls for police reforms, doesn’t address Trump

The Hill logoFormer President Obama on Wednesday called for police reforms but did not mention President Trump and largely steered clear of the polarizing politics that have wracked the nation following the death of George Floyd.

Speaking at a virtual town hall from his home in the Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, D.C., Obama outlined changes he said would reduce police violence toward racial minorities.

The former president said chokeholds should be outlawed and that officers should not be able to shoot at moving vehicles. He called on local police departments to establish clear use-of-force guidelines and said officers should have to intervene when another officer has become too rough with a suspect. Continue reading.

Calls for police reform sparks divisions in Congress

The Hill logoCalls for law enforcement reforms in the wake of George Floyd’s death are sparking divisions in Congress, raising early questions about what, if anything, will be able to make it to President Trump’s desk. 

Lawmakers are grappling with how to respond to days of protests fueled by the police killing of Floyd, an unarmed black man who died last week while detained by Minneapolis police, that revived the national conversation about lingering racial inequality and the use of force by police officers.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said “there may be a role” for lawmakers. Continue reading.

Rep. Dean Phillips: Our Legacy-Making Moment

Neighbors,

The Twin Cities raised me. This community provided me opportunity, loved me, and I love it back.

It has been over a week since George Floyd was killed at the knee of an MPD officer; over a week of unimaginable grief for those close to him, for our community, and for our country. He is remembered by friends and family as a man with a quiet personality and a beautiful spirit. Someone who found joy in making people smile and helping anyone in need. George moved to Minnesota to start a new life. He was a father, a friend, and a beloved member of his community in Minneapolis — a community he should still be sharing his life with today. Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips: Our Legacy-Making Moment”

George W. Bush calls out racial injustices and celebrates protesters who ‘march for a better future’

Washington Post logoFormer president George W. Bush addressed the nationwide protests in a solemn yet hopeful statement Tuesday, commending the Americans demonstrating against racial injustice and criticizing those who try to silence them.

Bush closed his statement, which came a day after peaceful protesters were cleared by force to make way for President Trump to come outside, by pointing to a “better way.”

“There is a better way — the way of empathy, and shared commitment, and bold action, and a peace rooted in justice,” Bush said in the statement. “I am confident that together, Americans will choose the better way.” Continue reading.

Thousands descend on D.C. protests to push back against Trump’s show of federal force

Washington Post logoAs many as 2,000 demonstrators descended on Washington on Tuesday, the largest and most boisterous crowd to gather in the nation’s capital during five straight days of protests over George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody.

Banging on fences erected near the White House and marching through the city to the U.S. Capitol, the largely peaceful protesters included high schoolers and stay-at-home moms, young parents and toddlers, elderly couples and large families. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) spoke with protesters, joined by her husband, Bruce Mann, and her golden retriever, Bailey.

But tensions also flared at multiple flash points during the day, as protesters faced an even larger contingent of federal law enforcement authorities than on Monday. Some turbulent gatherings Tuesday were hit with pepper spray and other shows of force as armored vehicles blocked city streets. Continue reading.

Senator Ron Latz comments on justice for George Floyd

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Senator Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, DFL Lead on the Senate Judiciary & Public Safety Committee, released the following statement in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.

“Let’s call this what it is. George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officers. The first step is to hold all of the officers who were involved in the murder accountable for their actions. I am confident in my friend and colleague, Attorney General Keith Ellison, to prosecute this murder to the fullest.

“While we look to hold these police officers accountable for their actions, the protests carried out in memory of George Floyd by our communities of color and allies are the result of hundreds of years of institutional and systemic racism. I support peaceful protests and I will be working hard on policy and resources to create systemic change. Continue reading “Senator Ron Latz comments on justice for George Floyd”

Minnesota Human Rights Department launches probe into Minneapolis police

The investigation will look at Minneapolis police policies and procedures over the past 10 years to determine if police engaged in discriminatory practices.

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights will launch an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department after filing a civil rights charge related to the death of George Floyd, who died while being pinned to the street by police last week.

The probe, announced Tuesday by Gov. Tim Walz, will look at Minneapolis police policies and procedures over the past 10 years to determine whether the department has engaged in discriminatory practices toward people of color

“This is not about holding people personally criminally liable,” said Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero, who will lead the investigation. “This is about systems change.” Continue reading.