George Floyd death: Cops lashed for shooting wheelchair-bound man in face as NFL apologises
Los Angeles Police have been accused of shooting a wheelchair-bound man in the eye with rubber bullets, as the NFL apologised for his organisation’s stance on the Black Lives Matter movement.
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Los Angeles Police have been accused of shooting a wheelchair-bound man in the eye with rubber bullets, and holding people for more than 12 hours for curfew violations.
A lawsuit filed by the LA chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, Black Lives Matter and Los Angeles Community Action Network — accused the department of violating protesters’ right to assemble and using excessive force, the LA Times reports.
Images of the homeless man emerged on social media, who was seen bleeding from his eye.
This poor man in a wheelchair was shot as protesters ran from LAPD during curfew in downtown Los Angeles #rubberbullets #GeorgeFloydprotest #BlackLivesMattter pic.twitter.com/h8Q1Qp0aqK
— Sarah Reingewirtz (@sarahimages) June 3, 2020
The United States braced Friday for massive weekend protests against racism and police brutality, as outrage soared over the latest law enforcement abuses against demonstrators that were caught on camera.
With protests over last week’s police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, surging into a second weekend, President Donald Trump sparked fresh controversy by saying it was a “great day” for Floyd.
Meanwhile, a man who was with Floyd on the night he died told The New York Times that his longtime friend didn’t resist arrest and instead tried to defuse the situation before he ended up handcuffed on the ground.
Maurice Lester Hall was a passenger in Floyd’s car when police approached him May 25 as they responded to a call about someone using a forged bill at a shop. Hall told the newspaper that Floyd was trying to show he was not resisting. “I could hear him pleading, ‘Please, officer, what’s all this for?”’ Hall told the Times.
Authorities say Hall, whose name is spelled Morries Lester Hall in court records, is a key witness in the state’s investigation into the four officers who apprehended Floyd. Hall’s identity wasn’t made public until the Times’ report. Bruce Gordon, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety, said Hall initially gave a false name to officers at the scene.
“Him begging for his life, actually being scared, feeling the reaper. That's what's going to stick with me.â€
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 5, 2020
George Floyd’s friend, who witnessed to his death, speaks out. https://t.co/109fJjT2Vz pic.twitter.com/97pV8EzZfV
Hall told ABC’s “Good Morning America” that the situation escalated quickly and police grabbed Floyd, put him in a squad car, dragged him back out and then “jumped on the back of the neck.” He said Floyd was put in an ambulance and that he didn’t know his friend had died until the next day, when he saw bystander video on Facebook.
“I’m going to always remember seeing the fear in Floyd’s face because he’s such a king,” Hall told the Times. “That’s what sticks with me, seeing a grown man cry, before seeing a grown man die.” Hall’s attorney, Ashlee McFarlane, told The Associated Press that Hall would not be doing any more interviews. She declined further comment.
NFL ADMITS IT WAS WRONG
NFL boss Roger Goodell has apologised for his organisation’s stance on the Black Lives Matter movement, condemned systemic racism and pledged to do more in the fight the against racial equality, as protests continue across the United States.
NFL Commissioner Goodell made the video announcement after more than a dozen players – including the Giants’ Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard, the Jets’ Jamal Adams and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes — asked the NFL to admit its mistakes,
The New York Post reports, Goodell wanted the players to know he heard them, and delivered nearly word-for-word on what the players asked.
“We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people,” he said in the video.
“We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier, and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe Black lives matter.”
Goodell called it “a difficult time for our country, in particular, Black people in our country” before sending his condolence to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery who have endured police brutality.
He added that he personally protests with the players and wants “to be part of the much-needed change in this country.”
Goodell noted that without black players there would be no NFL and the protests around the country are “emblematic the centuries of silence, inequality and oppression of black players, coaches, fans and staff.”
It is unclear what Goodell’s statement will mean as far as players potentially kneeling during the national anthem again this season.
“We are listening, I am listening and I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on how we can improve and go forward,” Goodell said.
It might not be perfect – the players asked for admission of wrong in “silencing our players from peacefully protesting” – but it is a big step from the years of the league not giving an inch after Colin Kaepernick and others began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest social injustice.
CITY BANS POLICE CHOKEHOLDS
Protesters stirred by the death of George Floyd have vowed to turn an extraordinary outpouring of grief into a sustained movement as demonstrations shifted to a calmer, but no less determined, focus on addressing racial injustice.
In Minneapolis, where Floyd died in police custody, the city agreed to ban police chokeholds and require officers to intervene any time they see unauthorised force by another officer.
The changes are part of a stipulation between the city and state officials who launched a civil rights investigation into Floyd’s death. The City Council is expected to approve the agreement, which will be enforceable in court, later Friday.
By early afternoon, demonstrations resumed for an 11th day around the country with continued momentum as the mood of the protests largely shifted from explosive anger to more peaceful calls for change. Formal and impromptu memorials to Floyd stretched from Minneapolis to North Carolina, where family were gathering Saturday to mourn him, and beyond. Services were planned in Texas for the following week.
Josiah Roebuck, a Kennesaw State University student and organiser of a demonstration that drew about 100 people Friday in an Atlanta suburb, said he was confident that momentum will be maintained.
“Once you start, you’re going to see this every day,” said Roebuck, who said he attended multiple other Atlanta-area protests. He added: “I just want minorities to be represented properly.”
Organisers have used various organising tools including social media, which Roebuck said he used to gather people for the demonstration outside a Kennesaw store selling Confederate memorabilia. “Social media is a big influencer today,” he said.
Protests around the country had initially been marred by the setting of fires and smashing of windows, but Friday marked at least the third day of more subdued demonstrations, including a heartfelt tribute to Floyd Thursday in Minneapolis that drew family members, celebrities, politicians and civil rights advocates.
At the service, strong calls were made for meaningful changes in policing and the criminal justice system.
And in a sign the protesters’ voices were being heard, more symbols of slavery and the Confederacy came down.
Alabama’s port city of Mobile removed a statue of a Confederate naval officer early Friday after days of protests there, while Fredericksburg, Virginia, removed a 176-year-old slave auction block from downtown after several years of efforts by the NAACP.
Other Confederate symbols have come down around the South in recent days as calls to remove them intensified during protests over Floyd’s death.
TRUMP INVOKES GEORGE FLOYD, CAUSING OUTCRY
There was major backlash against US president Donald Trump on Friday when he invoked George Floyd’s name during a Friday bill signing ceremony touting the latest jobs report, in which unemployment figures were unexpectedly down.
“We all saw what happened last week. We can’t let that happen. Hopefully George is looking down and saying this is a great thing that’s happening for our country. (It’s) a great day for him. It’s a great day for everybody,” Trump said during a White House Rose Garden event where he signed a piece of legislation devoted to small business loan flexibility.
“This is a great, great day in terms of equality,” Trump added.
Presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee Joe Biden clapped back at Mr Trump, saying, “George Floyd’s last words, ‘I can’t breathe,’ have echoed across our nation and around the world.
For the President to try to put any other words in his mouth is frankly despicable.”
Speaking from Delaware State University, a public, historically black university in Dover, Mr Biden continued, “And the fact that he did so on the day when black unemployment rose, Hispanic unemployment rose, black youth unemployment skyrocketed, tells you everything you need to know about this man and what he really cares about.”
On Thursday, Twitter removed a video tribute to George Floyd posted by President Trump’s re-election campaign, claiming it had not met the company’s policy on copyrighted material.
The nearly four-minute long video features a warning from Mr Trump about “violence and anarchy” from “radical left-wing groups” over images of riots and looting. The President described the death of George Floyd as a “grave tragedy” and ran images of Floyd and peaceful protesters lamenting his death.
“This incident is yet another reminder that Twitter is making up the rules as they go along,” said Andrew Clark, a spokesman for the Trump campaign.
HUGE BLACK LIVES MATTER MURAL POPS UP IN D.C.
The streets of Washington, D.C have been painted yellow, with a huge mural spelling out “Black Lives Matter” spanning two blocks in the US capital.
The mural was painted by city workers, with sanitation workers who had been cleaning up the streets staying behind to work on the mural.
According to the New York Times, the project was designed by muralists in the city who have been out of work lately.
City Mayor Muriel Bowser also renamed 16th Street NW, just before the White House, “Black Lives Matter Plaza NW.”
MAYOR RESIGNS AFTER EMAIL GAFFE
The mayor of a Southern California city has resigned following an email in which he stated he didn’t “believe there’s ever been a good person of colour killed by a police officer” locally.
It comes as protests continue across the US for a tenth night following George Floyd’s funeral, the first of three to be held over the next six days.
Temecula Mayor James Stewart has apologised for the email, saying he never meant to use the word “good.”
He had said he is dyslexic and so used voice text to send his late-night Tuesday message but failed to notice the added word.
“Unfortunately I did not take the time to proofread what was recorded. I absolutely did not say that,” Mr Stewart told the R iverside Press-Enterprise.
The city issued a press release late Thursday announcing that Mr Stewart, who was elected to a four-year term in 2016, was stepping down from his post and the city council.
“You have every right to be hurt and offended. My typos and off-the-cuff response to an email on a serious topic added pain at a time where our community, and our country, is suffering,” Mr Stewart said in a statement.
“I may not be the best writer and I sometimes misspeak, but I am not racist.”
He said he was resigning because he understood his “sincerest apologies cannot remedy this situation.”
CELEBS FAREWELL FLOYD
A crowd of 500 gathered for a memorial at North Central University, where civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton said Mr Floyd’s death was emblematic of the African-American experience.
“George Floyd’s story has been the story of black folks. Because ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamt to be is you kept your knee on our neck,” said Rev Sharpton in a fiery eulogy.
“It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say, ‘Get your knee off our necks!’”
Among the celebrities to attend were comedian Kevin Hart, rappers Ludacris and T.I., singer Tyrese Gibson, actor Tiffany Haddish and prominent film producer Will Packer.
Political figures included the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and former Democratic presidential candidate and potential vice presidential pick, Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar.
After the memorial service, First Lady Melania Trump sent her condolences to Mr Floyd’s family and friends.
“It is my hope our country will come together in peace & heal from these challenging times,” she said on Twitter.
Mr Floyd’s brother Philonise said: “Everywhere you go and see people, how they cling to him. They wanted to be around him”.
“All these people came to see my brother,” Mr Floyd said.
“That’s amazing to me that he touched so many people’s hearts because he touched our hearts.”
57 COPS QUIT AFTER AFTER MAN, 75, SHOVED
Fifty-seven police officers in Buffalo, New York, have quit from the emergency response team after two officers were suspended after allegedly pushing a 75-year-old protester to the ground.
Prosecutors were investigating video footage of police in Buffalo shoving the elderly man who then fell and cracked his head.
Video from public radio station WBFO of Thursday night’s encounter, which happened near the conclusion of protests over the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, quickly sparked public outrage and a protest by city police who felt the officers were being mistreated.
It shows a man identified as Martin Gugino approaching a line of helmeted officers holding batons as they clear demonstrators from Niagara Square around the time of an 8pm curfew. Two officers push Mr Gugino backward, and he hits his head on the pavement. Blood spills as officers walk past.
One officer leans down to check on the injured man before he is urged along by another officer.
Mr Gugino and the officers all appear to be white, but details of their backgrounds were not released.
“Why? Why was that necessary? Where was the threat?” asked Gov. Andrew Cuomo at his daily briefing Friday.
The governor said he spoke to Mr Gugino, who had been hospitalised in serious condition. “It’s just fundamentally offensive and frightening. How did we get to this place?”
The incident raised concerns about more possible flare-ups in Buffalo this weekend, especially after city officers resigned in mass from the police squad charged with crowd control. The resigning officers keep their jobs.
“Fifty-seven resigned in disgust because of the treatment of two of their members, who were simply executing orders,” said John Evans, PBA president, according to WGRZ.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said contingency plans are in place “ensure public safety.” Additional state troopers will be in the city through the weekend to assist Buffalo police, according to a state police spokesman.
Mr Gugino was hospitalised and was “alert and oriented,” according to a Friday morning tweet by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
The video immediately generated outrage, including among elected officials, in the wake of the death of Mr Floyd — a black man who died after a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck for several minutes.
The police commissioner suspended two police officers without pay, said Mayor Byron Brown.
The district attorney’s office “continues to investigate the incident,” officials said in a news release, but the victim could not talk to investigators Thursday night.
Mr Gugino is a retiree who lives by himself in the area, say friends who describe him as a veteran peace activist driven by his faith and a desire for social justice, according to friends and his Twitter account.
Friends say he has been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
WHOPPING BAIL FOR THREE OF FOUR OFFICERS CHARGED
Several blocks away from where the memorial was being held, a bail hearing for three officers charged a day earlier as accomplices in Mr Floyd’s murder heard one of them had only been on the job for a few days.
None of the men spoke during the hearing at Hennepin County District Court, which took place under heavy security, including National Guard troops.
Former officer Derek Chauvin faces a possible 40-year sentence for second degree murder after being filmed kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes, three of them after he stopped breathing.
He was one of four officers responding to a complaint that Mr Floyd, a 46-year-old father of two, had paid for a pack of cigarettes with a fake US$20 note.
The other three were charged on Wednesday with aiding and abetting second degree murder.
The lawyer for Thomas Lane, 37, of St. Paul, said his client had been an officer for just four days and was not in a position to stop veteran cop Chauvin harming Mr Floyd.
“What was he supposed to do?” his lawyer asked.
“Tell Chauvin to get off?”
The others charged were J Alexander Kueng, 26, and Tou Thao, 34 and bail was set at $A1.08 million for each of the three men, who along with Chauvin have been sacked by the Minneapolis police force.