thetorontostar--2020-06-04--NYPD boss wants calm after stabbing, other attacks on cops

New York City police are trying to determine if Wednesday ’ s ambush stabbing of an officer in Brooklyn was inspired by anti-police sentiments expressed during days of protests and unrest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Commissioner Dermot Shea said Thursday .
Officer Yayonfrant Jean Pierre was stabbed in the neck while on an anti-looting patrol , spurring a struggle that saw the suspect shot and two other officers sustaining gunshot injuries to their hands .
Jean Pierre and the other officers , Randy Ramnarine and Dexter Chiu , were expected to recover , police said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was hospitalized in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds , Shea said .
He has yet to be charged and the case could end up in the hands of federal prosecutors , with the FBI saying it would use “ every federal statute available to hold the perpetrator accountable.
” Information on Camovic ’ s lawyer was not immediately available .
The bloodshed happened just before midnight Wednesday , in the hours after an 8 p.m. curfew that was intended to quell days of at-times violent protests in the wake of Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations , there have been smash-and-grab sprees and a string of assaults on police officers .
Shea called for calm Thursday at a news conference that opened with a broadside against elected officials and others whom he blamed for stirring up animosity by speaking against police and sharing videos on social media that , presented without context , are seen as evidence of officer misconduct .
“ How do we move forward ?
” Shea said .
“ I do not know how we will get there .
I wish I had all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much .
We can not reach that place until we end the hateful speech and the law breaking and the unprovoked attacks against police officers and the rhetoric that fuels.
” Shea said it was too early in the investigation to say what motivated Wednesday night ’ s attack , but police union head Patrick Lynch said he saw a connection to the protests .
“ Did we doubt ?
Because of the rhetoric we ’ re hearing , the anti-police rhetoric that ’ s storming our streets , are we surprised ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Benevolent Association .
“ I ’ m not .
We said it ’ s going to happen.
” Wednesday ’ s stabbing happened a block from a spot where demonstrators and police engaged days earlier in an hourslong standoff , during which a police car was burned and protesters were beaten with batons .
Shea said the attacker casually approached two officers stationed in the area to prevent pilfering around 11:45 p.m. and stabbed one — Jean Pierre , according to Mayor Bill de Blasio .
Officers a short distance away heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw the man with a gun in his hand , believed to have been taken from one of the officers , Shea said .
The responding officers then opened fire .
“ It appears to be a completely , cowardly , despicable , unprovoked attack , ” Shea said .
The commissioner said 22 shell casings were recovered .
He didn ’ t say whether the officers ’ hand wounds came from fellow officers ’ guns .
Jean Pierre is a Haitian immigrant , and Ramnarine and Chiu are children of immigrants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all that is great about New York City , “ de Blasio said .
“ They represented the fact that people come from all over this country , all over this world , to find a better life ... and then some choose to serve all of us.
” The stabbing was one of multiple assaults on police officers in recent days , including a driver plowing into a sergeant in the Bronx , a lieutenant struck in the helmet by a brick during a brawl in Manhattan , a Molotov cocktail thrown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brooklyn , and gunshots fired at an occupied police cruiser in Queens .
Hours after the Brooklyn ambush , police in Queens shot a man they said followed two officers into a store , menaced them with a knife and refused commands to drop the weapon .
He is hospitalized in stable condition , police said .
“ People attack police officers ?
They run up to police officers , they stab a police officer ?
They ’ ve treated police officers with such disrespect in New York City that I am stunned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said at a news briefing in Albany .
At the same time , police have been criticized for harsh tactics to corral protesters and enforce the curfew .
More than 350 current and former members of de Blasio ’ s administration published an open letter Thursday denouncing brutality , such as officers swatting protesters with batons , a police vehicle driven into a crowd and an officer seen throwing a woman to the ground .
Shea apologized for “ our part in the damage to stability ” and said some of those officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been corrected to show that the stabbing happened at 11:45 p.m. , not 11:45 a.m. Associated Press writers Jennifer Peltz in New York and Marina Villaneuve in Albany contributed .

Michael R. Sisak And Jim Mustian - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--‘Power to the people.’ Floyd’s brother talks at NYC memorial

New Yorkers stayed on the streets of New York City Thursday for another day of protests spurred by the death of George Floyd , including at a memorial service at the site where police used batons against demonstrators who were out past the city-imposed curfew the night before .
“ You are not alone , ” the large crowd at Brooklyn ’ s Cadman Plaza chanted before an emotional Terrence Floyd , wearing a mask and a T-shirt bearing his brother ’ s likeness , thanked them for their support of his brother , killed by Minneapolis police .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love to my brother , ” he said .
Of the demonstrations that have engulfed the city and the nation , and the violence that has taken place , he said , “ I ’ m proud of the protests but I ’ m not proud of the destruction .
My brother wasn ’ t about that .
The Floyds are a God-fearing family.
” “ Power to the people , all of us , ” he said .
The memorial was part of a day of demonstrations around the city that once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed curfew of 8 p.m. , even as Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio sought to deflect criticism over harsh tactics from police enforcing it .
After curfew time , thousands of protesters were out , and so were police .
In some places , they watched but didn ’ t immediately move in while in others they made orderly arrests without the batons and riot gear of previous nights .
Miguel Fernandes said there were “ a lot more nights to go ” of marching because protesters hadn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re still waiting for a conviction .
We still haven ’ t gotten it , ” Fernandes said .
“ All they ’ re doing is putting in charges .
The system is not doing anything to make these guys pay for what they did.
” Demonstrators had been in Cadman Plaza , where the memorial for Floyd took place , on Wednesday night , where videos were taken of officers using batons and pepper spray on protesters who remained after the curfew .
Both Democrats said they had not seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo tweeted that he was asking the state attorney general to investigate the incidents as part of her ongoing look into police tactics during the protests .
“ Peaceful protest is a sacred American right , “ Cuomo tweeted .
“ No peaceful protestor deserves to be hit with a baton and no self-respecting police officer would defend that.
” De Blasio spoke at the memorial , with the crowd booing and heckling from the moment he arrived , shouting over him as he urged that Floyd ’ s death not be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change in this city and this country , ” he said .
Even some of the speakers took shots at the mayor , criticizing his management of the NYPD and his administration ’ s response to the coronavirus .
Earlier , de Blasio said police have used “ a lot of restraint ” overall and added , “ but if there ’ s anything that needs to be reviewed , it will be.
” NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea defended his officers and the department ’ s overall use of force .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the 8 p.m. curfew put in place earlier this week to deter the violence , vandalism and destruction that followed protests Sunday and Monday nights .
“ If you are violating the curfew and you refuse to leave so you continue to violate the curfew , the police officers have to enforce the law , which is : you ’ re supposed to off the street , “ Cuomo said .
The mayor said , “ If at a certain point , officers say , ‘ It ’ s time , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to listen to that.
“ The citywide curfew , New York ’ s first in decades , is set to remain in effect through at least Sunday , with the city planning to lift it at the same time it enters the first phase of reopening after more than two months of shutdowns because of the coronavirus .
Wednesday night unfolded without the vandalism and smash-and-grab sprees that forced merchants around the city to board their stores up preemptively , but police said a man ambushed officers on an anti-looting patrol in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the neck .
The attacker was shot by responding officers and was in critical condition .
Two officers suffered gunshot wounds to their hands in the chaos , but all three wounded officers were expected to recover .
Officer Yayonfrant Jean Pierre , who was stabbed in the neck , and the other wounded officers , Randy Ramnarine and Dexter Chiu , were expected to recover .
De Blasio said he was “ not going to theorize on ” possible motives for the attack .
Jennifer Peltz , Michael R. Sisak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mahoney and Jake Seiner in New York City and Marina Villeneuve in Albany contributed to this report .

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thetorontostar--2020-06-04--`Get your knee off our necks!’: Floyd mourned in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS - Celebrities , musicians and political leaders gathered in front of George Floyd ’ s golden casket Thursday for a fiery memorial service for the man whose death at the hands of police sparked global protests , with a civil rights leader declaring it is time for black people to demand , “ Get your knee off our necks !
” The service — the first in a series of memorials set for three cities over six days — unfolded in Minneapolis at a sanctuary at North Central University as a judge a few blocks away set bail at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers charged with aiding and abetting murder in Floyd ’ s death .
“ 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 dreamed to be is you kept your knee on our neck , ” the Rev .
Al Sharpton said in a fierce eulogy .
“ It ’ s time for us to stand up in George ’ s name and say , ‘ Get your knee off our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 46-year-old out-of-work bouncer , died May 25 after a white police officer , Derek Chauvin , put his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes as he lay handcuffed on the pavement , gasping that he couldn ’ t breathe .
Chauvin has been charged with murder , and he and the others could get up to 40 years in prison .
From coast to coast , and from Paris and London to Sydney and Rio de Janeiro , the chilling cellphone video of Floyd ’ s slow death has set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality , racism and inequality .
Some protests continued Thursday .
Those gathered at the Minneapolis tribute stood in silence for 8 minutes , 46 seconds , the amount of time Floyd was alleged to be on the ground under the control of police .
Sharpton vowed that this will become a movement to “ change the whole system of justice.
” “ Time is out for not holding you accountable !
Time is out for you making excuses !
Time is out for you trying to stall !
Time is out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Time is out for you filibustering and trying to stall the arm of justice !
” he said .
The service drew the Rev .
Jesse Jackson , Sen. Amy Klobuchar and other members of Congress , including Reps. Ilhan Omar , Sheila Jackson Lee and Ayanna Pressley .
Among the celebrities in attendance were T.I.
, Ludacris , Tyrese Gibson , Kevin Hart , Tiffany Haddish and Marsai Martin .
“ All these people came to see my brother , ” Philonise Floyd told the crowd at the memorial in awe as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eating banana-mayonnaise sandwiches .
“ That ’ s amazing to me that he touched so many people ’ s hearts because he touched our hearts.
” He and other family members spoke lovingly of Floyd , who was well over 6 feet tall , which earned him the nickname “ Big George.
” The casket was covered in red roses , and a vibrant image was projected above the pulpit of a mural of Floyd painted at the street corner where he was arrested by police on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The message on the mural : “ I can breathe now.
” The sanctuary normally seats 1,000 , but because of the coronavirus outbreak , the capacity was reduced to about 500 , and many mourners wore masks , some with “ I can ’ t breathe ” on them .
Outside , hundreds chanted Floyd ’ s name as a hearse prepared to carry him away .
His body goes next to Raeford , North Carolina , near where he was born , for a public viewing and private family service on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held Monday in Houston , where he was raised and lived most of his life .
In the U.S. , where protests had been marked by bouts of lawlessness since last week , relative quiet prevailed for a third straight night Thursday , a day after prosecutors charged the three other officers at the scene and filed a new , more serious count of murder against Chauvin .
In New York City , a large crowd gathered at Brooklyn ’ s Cadman Plaza and chanted “ You are not alone ” in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s brothers “ I thank God for you all showing love to my brother , ” said an emotional Terrence Floyd .
Peaceful demonstrations continued past the city ’ s 8 p.m. curfew , even as Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio sought to deflect criticism over harsh tactics from police enforcing the curfew the night before .
While there was a heavy police presence on the streets , they did not immediately move in to make arrests .
In Washington , the law enforcement presence was much lighter compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people marched peacefully from near the White House to the Lincoln Memorial .
Police cleared the largely empty streets of cars just ahead of the demonstrators ’ path .
The protests broke up before dark as a heavy rain began .
In Georgia , a white father and son charged in another killing of a black man that has raised racial tensions in the U.S. made a court appearance Thursday via video .
A state investigator testified that Travis McMichael was heard uttering a racist slur as he stood over the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three blasts from a pump-action shotgun .
The new charges in Minneapolis punctuated an unprecedented week in recent American history , in which largely peaceful protests took place in communities of all sizes but were rocked by bursts of violence , including deadly attacks on officers , theft , vandalism and arson .
In Minneapolis alone , more than 220 buildings were damaged or burned , with damage topping $ 55 million , city officials said .
Nationwide , more than 10,000 people have been arrested , an Associated Press tally found .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported , though the circumstances in many cases are still being sorted out .
Meanwhile , the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration , alleging officials violated the civil rights of peaceful protesters .
The demonstrators were removed from a park Monday near the White House by police firing smoke bombs and pepper balls .
After the protesters were cleared , President Donald Trump walked to a nearby church to take a photo .
The ACLU called it a “ co-ordinated and unprovoked charge into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was filed on behalf of the group Black Lives Matter D.C. and individual protesters who were in the park at the time .
Associated Press journalists across the U.S. and the world contributed to this report .

Aaron Morrison And Tim Sullivan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Anger rising in Mexico over alleged police brutality death

MEXICO CITY - As protests rock the United States over allegations of police abuses , anger built in Mexico on Thursday over its own police brutality case : a young man allegedly beaten to death after officers detained him for not wearing a face mask during the coronavirus pandemic .
Hundreds of protesters marched Thursday evening in Guadalajara , the capital of Jalisco state , to demand justice in the death of Giovanni López .
Some broke into the state capitol and sprayed graffiti on the wallsm while others later set two police patrol vehicles on fire .
An online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in López ’ s death has drawn support from stars like Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro .
Authorities in Jalisco have said that López was detained May 4 in a town near Guadalajara for a misdemeanour equivalent to disturbing the peace or resisting arrest .
A video of his detention shows municipal police wrestling him into a patrol truck as residents argued with officers about excessive use of force and rules requiring face masks , a measure designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Hours later he was taken from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None of the municipal police in the town of Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos have been arrested , fired or charged in the death , which officials have said was the result of beatings .
Jalisco state prosecutor Gerardo Solis said Thursday that the police officers had been placed under investigation .
State Gov .
Enrique Alfaro called the López ’ s death “ an atrocity ” Thursday and promised results from the investigation “ within hours.
” But the governor also said the incident was “ an act of the municipal authorities ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame .
“ I am also hurt , I am also indignant , I am also enraged that these happen in Mexico , ” Alfaro wrote .
But the federal Interior Department said in a statement that the tough anti-pandemic measures implemented by Alfaro in Jalisco , including detaining people for violating curfews or not wearing masks , contributed to the problem .
“ This event came in the context of the restrictive measures implemented by the governor of Jalisco to fight the pandemic , which included the use of law enforcement forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities , ” the department said .
Assistant Interior Secretary Alejandro Encinas wrote that he “ condemns acts in which law enforcement has been used to enforce preventative measures against the pandemic , or the arbitrary arrest of people , particularly the most vulnerable among us.
” There have been disputes before about pandemic prevention measures in Mexico , where some towns put up roadblocks or checkpoints to seal themselves off from the outside world , required visitors to isolate or enforced curfews .
Jesús Peña , of the office of the U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that “ we encourage the authorities of Jalisco state to send a clear and unequivocal message that human rights violations will not be tolerated in the enforcement of emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
” Police brutality has a long history in Mexico that predates the coronavirus pandemic .
Police and military personnel have very seldom been punished for excessive use of force or extrajudicial killings .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Grassley vows to block Trump nominees over watchdog firings

WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley says he is blocking two Trump administration nominees until the White House provides adequate reasons for the termination of two inspectors general .
The Iowa senator , a longtime advocate for the watchdog role of inspectors general , pledged to block Senate consideration of Christopher Miller to be director of the National Counterterrorism Center and Marshall Billingslea to be undersecretary of state for arms control and international security , indefinitely .
Grassley has been seeking answers on President Donald Trump ’ s recent firings of several inspectors general , including Michael Atkinson , inspector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Department Inspector General Steve Linick .
While the Constitution gives the president authority to hire and fire executive branch personnel , “ Congress has made it clear that should the president find reason to fire an inspector general , there ought to be a good reason for it , ’ ’ Grassley said .
A White House letter last week addressing the firings did not answer his questions , Grassley said , adding that his request for information is “ clearly stated in statute and accompanying reports.
” Without sufficient explanation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculating whether political or self-interests are to blame .
That ’ s not good for the presidency or government accountability , ’ ’ Grassley said .
In a May 26 letter , the White House said Trump followed the law when he fired multiple inspectors general , but offered no new details about why the internal watchdogs were let go .
White House counsel Pat Cipollone said in the five-page letter that Trump has the authority to remove inspectors general , that he appropriately alerted Congress and that he selected qualified officials as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quell outrage from Democrats and good-government groups that fear the Republican president is moving to dismantle a post-Watergate network of watchdogs meant to root out corruption , fraud and other problems inside federal agencies .
The tumult has not been limited to the watchdog offices at the State Department and the intelligence community .
Trump also demoted Glenn Fine from his role as acting inspector general at the Pentagon , effectively removing him as head of a special board to oversee auditing of the coronavirus economic relief package .
Fine resigned last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IGs at the departments of Transportation and Health and Human Services .
Taken together , the moves have raised alarms about efforts to weaken government oversight and about possible retaliation for investigations or actions seen as unfavourable to the administration .
Atkinson , who was fired as intelligence community inspector general in April , advanced a whistleblower complaint that resulted in the president ’ s impeachment .
Linick told Congress he was conducting investigations tied to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s use of government resources as well as Pompeo ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Saudi Arabia .
A 2008 law requires the president to provide Congress with a written explanation at least 30 days prior to removing an inspector general .
The law is intended to prevent politically motivated terminations , although there is little Congress can do to block an IG ’ s firing .
Grassley ’ s hold on Billingslea will have little practical effect .
Billingslea is already effectively doing the job because Trump appointed him to be his special presidential envoy for arms control in April before nominating him for the under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which does not require Senate confirmation , Billingslea has been leading arms control negotiations and has played a significant role in the administration ’ s deliberations on how to proceed in that area .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Most California curfews lifted as peace replaces unrest

LOS ANGELES - After days of raucous protests accompanied by sporadic violence and scattered looting that led to deployment of the National Guard , Los Angeles , San Francisco and most other cities in California anxiously lifted curfews Thursday amid more peaceful demonstrations .
“ I ’ m a little scared about that , “ Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said about ending the five-night order .
“ But sometimes fear is what you ’ ve got to do.
” Curfews were imposed for several days in many cities — some as early as 1 p.m. — after a weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during or following mostly peaceful protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Cities were criticized for taking the rare step to force residents to stay home and then use the order to arrest thousands of peaceful protesters who stayed out past curfew .
The American Civil Liberties Union had sued Los Angeles and the city of San Bernardino on behalf of Black Lives Matter on Wednesday for suppressing First Amendment guarantees to political protest and freedom of movement .
“ We have the right to march , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just on the government ’ s timetable , “ Melina Abdullah , co-founder of Black Lives Matter-LA , said in a statement .
The ACLU said it was pleased those cities dropped their curfews , but they sent a letter demanding Sacramento do the same .
The state capital , which had been reluctant to impose a curfew , chose to keep its order in place after downtown businesses were tagged with graffiti and had their windows shattered .
Passionate protesters continued to call for racial justice Thursday in symbolic acts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his funeral in Minnesota .
Dozens of demonstrators laid on the ground outside South San Francisco police headquarters with their hands behind their backs and chanted “ I can ’ t breathe , ” the dying words of Floyd , a black man whose neck was pinned to the ground by the knee of a white police officer now charged with murder .
In the middle of a California Senate hearing , lawmakers paused to observe 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence to mark Floyd ’ s death .
Outside LA City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silent and dropped to a knee in a gesture that has come to mark the movement galvanized by Floyd ’ s death .
Billy Black , who joined the crowd in the hot sun , said the recent calm of the protests helped lure him out to lend his voice after being concerned over the weekend by TV images of marchers clashing with police in riot gear , police cruisers set ablaze and stores ransacked in broad daylight .
“ I didn ’ t like knowing that people were outside taking a stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was in air conditioned comfort , ” Black said .
The 25-year-old African American echoed the words of many who felt their message was being drowned out by coverage of the unrest .
He urged news media to “ shine a light on the more positive messages out here , about peace , about justice , instead of focusing on the looting , the violence.
” Police have blamed the thefts on organized groups of criminals and stressed that the protesters were not responsible .
Protesters have called for prosecuting police brutality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even defunding the police department .
Garcetti reversed course Wednesday on plans to boost police funding and outlined a plan to shift $ 250 million in the city budget to address what he called structural black racism and related issues , including funds for youth employment , health care and housing .
“ Your tax dollars should go towards erasing trauma , not causing it , ” Garcetti said at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church .
Police have been injured in the protests , including a Los Angeles officer who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brick , and others pelted with rocks and bottles .
But protesters and activists have complained of being roughed up by police wielding batons , firing tear gas and shooting rubber bullets .
A group of state lawmakers on Thursday said they would introduce legislation for when such ammo could be used .
“ Breaking a city-imposed curfew is not a sufficient basis for use of rubber bullets , “ said Assemblywoman Gonzalez , D-San Diego .
“ Crowd control where there is no rioting is not proper grounds to use rubber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blood in Los Angeles , Cuneyt Dil in Sacramento , and Olga Rodriguez in San Francisco contributed to this report .

Christopher Weber And Brian Melley - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Trump seeks to scale back environmental reviews for projects

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing agencies to look for ways to speed up building of highways and other major projects by scaling back environmental reviews , invoking special powers he has under the coronavirus emergency .
Separately Thursday , the Environmental Protection Agency formally proposed overhauling how the agency evaluates new rules on air pollutants , a move critics say will make it tougher to enact limits on dangerous and climate-changing emissions in the future .
The actions are the latest efforts from the Trump administration to emphasize reduced regulatory burdens on businesses over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive order would direct federal agencies to pursue emergency workarounds from bedrock environmental laws , such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act , to hasten completion of various infrastructure projects.. Trump , who has consistently sought to cut environmental reviews , said in the order that the economic lockdown and accompanying massive unemployment required the action .
“ Unnecessary delays in timely agency actions will deny our citizens opportunities for jobs and economic security and will hinder our economic recovery from the national emergency , keeping millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
Trump has been issuing executive orders on a near-weekly basis during his fourth year in office .
Thursday ’ s order will mark his 25th of the year as he uses the pandemic to justify efforts to do away with government regulations that are designed to protect the environment and public health but are viewed by critics as costly and unnecessary .
The president has consistently portrayed the permitting process as hindering infrastructure projects in the U.S .
He issued an executive order in August 2017 that was designed to speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Treasury Department in 2016 looked at 40 major proposed transportation and water projects whose completion had slowed or was in jeopardy and found that “ a lack of funds is by far the most common challenge to completing these projects.
” Meanwhile , finding the additional dollars to fund new roads and bridges has proved elusive as lawmakers and the president fail to agree on the extremely difficult choices that are necessary to raise more money for transportation projects without adding to the already soaring national debt .
In anticipation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups said sidestepping environmental review requirements would hurt many of the same communities already suffering the most from the pandemic .
“ Americans are crying out for leadership to confront racist violence and stop the spread of a deadly pandemic .
This administration is not only ignoring those cries — but piling on the burden .
We will not let this stand , “ said Gina McCarthy of the Natural Resources Defence Council .
“ By using the coronavirus pandemic to justify fast-tracking potentially wasteful , dangerous or destructive infrastructure programs , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contempt for our laws , for the health of our communities and for the future of our children , ” Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said .
The separate EPA proposal –- now going up for the legally required public comment period before any adoption -– would require cost-benefit analyses for every major new regulation under the Clean Air Act .
It would also tighten consideration , in weighing any new pollutant limits , of broader benefits to clean air that would come from regulating the primary targeted pollutant .
The Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermine an Obama-era act that cut emissions of not only mercury but other health threats from coal-fired power plants .
Industries supported Thursday ’ s EPA proposal .
The overhaul would “ provide consistency and greater transparency ” in considering air pollution rules in the future , said Frank Macchiarola , a senior vice-president of the American Petroleum Institute trade group .
Environmental groups contend the Trump administration is gaming costs and benefit calculations in its loosening of environmental and public health protections , considering them differently in different cases as needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles and other pollution sources .
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler told reporters any differences were only because the Trump administration was still putting its version of the rules in place .
“ At the end of our second term , you can look back and judge us , how well we did with our regulations , from how we did , ” Wheeler said .
Cutting regulations has been a hallmark of Trump ’ s presidency and conservative groups and lawmakers have been encouraging him to keep it up .
“ Time is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up or kill projects will have the same impact as increasing funding , and it will let workers get back on the job improving our infrastructure , “ said Rep. Sam Graves , the ranking Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee .
Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report .

Kevin Freking And Ellen Knickmeyer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Worrying over future, Hong Kong defies ban to mark Tiananmen

HONG KONG - Thousands of people in Hong Kong defied a police ban Thursday evening , breaking through barricades to hold a candlelight vigil on the 31st anniversary of China ’ s crushing of a democracy movement centred on Beijing ’ s Tiananmen Square .
With democracy snuffed out in the mainland , the focus has shifted increasingly to semi-autonomous Hong Kong , where authorities for the first time banned the annual vigil that remembers victims of the 1989 crackdown .
Beijing is taking a tougher stance following months of anti-government protests last year , in what activists see as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s rights and liberties .
Earlier Thursday , the Hong Kong legislature passed a law making it a crime to disrespect China ’ s national anthem .
Pro-democracy lawmakers had disrupted proceedings to try to prevent the vote .
Despite the police ban , crowds poured into Victoria Park to light candles and observe a minute of silence at 8:09 p.m. ( 1209 GMT , 8:09 a.m. EDT ) .
Many chanted “ Democracy now ” and “ Stand for freedom , stand with Hong Kong.
” While police played recordings warning people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they did little to stop people from entering the park .
Authorities had cited the need for social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic in barricading the sprawling park , but activists saw the outbreak as a convenient excuse .
“ If we don ’ t come out today , we don ’ t even know if we can still come out next year , ” said participant Serena Cheung .
Police said they made arrests in the city ’ s Mongkok district , where large crowds also rallied .
When several protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rushed to detain them , using pepper spray and raising a blue flag to warn them to disperse or they would use force on the unauthorized gathering .
On Twitter , they urged people not to gather in groups because of the coronavirus .
After the vigil ended in Victoria Park , groups of protesters dressed in black carried flags that said , “ Liberate Hong Kong , Revolution of our times ” as well as “ Hong Kong Independence.
” Hundreds and possibly thousands of people were killed when tanks and troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of June 3-4 , 1989 , to break up weeks of student-led protests that had spread to other cities and were seen as a threat to Communist Party rule .
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson offered the government ’ s standard defence of the 1989 crackdown .
“ The Chinese government has made a clear conclusion about the political disturbance that occurred in the late 1980s , ” Zhao Lijian said .
“ The great achievements that we have achieved ... have fully demonstrated that the development path China has chosen is completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s national conditions and has won the sincere support of the Chinese people.
” On Thursday , the square where thousands of students had gathered in 1989 was quiet and largely empty .
Police and armoured vehicles stood guard on the vast space .
Few pedestrians lined up at security checkpoints , where they had to show IDs to be allowed through as part of nationwide mass surveillance to prevent any commemoration of the event .
As has become customary , many dissidents were placed under house arrest and their communications with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights groups .
“ We all know the Hong Kong government and the Chinese government really don ’ t want to see the candle lights in Victoria Park , ” said Wu ’ er Kaixi , a former student leader who was No .
2 on the government ’ s most-wanted list following the Tiananmen Square crackdown .
“ The Chinese Communists want us all to forget about what happened 31 years ago , “ he told The Associated Press in Taiwan , where he lives .
” But it is the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are the same government ... doing the same in Hong Kong.
” China did not intervene directly in last year ’ s protests , despite speculation it might deploy troops , but backed the tough response of the Hong Kong police and government .
Thousands were arrested in the demonstrations , which were sparked by now-abandoned legislation that could have allowed suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial .
The cancellation of the vigil came amid a tightening of Beijing ’ s grip over Hong Kong .
China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to impose national security laws on Hong Kong , circumventing the city ’ s legislature and shocking many of its 7.5 million residents .
The approval of the national anthem bill , viewed as an infringement on freedom of expression , followed the recent arrest of 15 veteran activists on charges of organizing and taking part in last year ’ s demonstrations .
The moves are seen as part of a steady erosion of rights that Hong Kong was guaranteed when it was handed over from British to Chinese rule in 1997 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ acceleration of attacks on the autonomy of Hong Kong and the undermining of the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people guaranteed under Hong Kong and international law , ” Sharon Hom , executive director of Human Rights in China , said in a statement .
About 15 members of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic and Democratic Movements of China , the group that organizes the annual vigil , gathered at Victoria Park at 6:30 p.m. ( 1030 GMT , 6:30 a.m. EDT ) .
They wore black shirts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” emblazoned on the front .
The activists lit candles and urged the public to do the same later to mourn victims of the massacre and show their support for the democratic cause in China .
Alliance Chairman Lee Cheuk-yan then led the group of about 15 members in a candlelit procession around the perimeter of the park , shouting slogans including , “ Stand with Hong Kong.
” “ We have been doing this for 30 years , we have the right to do this , this is a peaceful procession , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be absurd if this behaviour is criminalized .
The group later removed one of the barricades surrounding the park , and entered .
Eventually , thousands followed .
Lee said that the danger in the national security law is that Beijing will define what is a crime .
“ If we commemorate June 4th , condemn the massacre , ( call for the ) end of one-party rule , will this be labeled as subversion ?
We don ’ t know , ” he said .
Other vigils , virtual and otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taiwan , the self-ruled island democracy whose government called again this year for Beijing to own up to the facts of the crackdown .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted criticism of China and Hong Kong for banning the vigil earlier this week before meeting with a group of Tiananmen Square survivors at the State Department .
Zhao , the Foreign Ministry spokesperson , said , “ We urge the U.S. to abandon ideological prejudice , correct mistakes and stop interfering in China ’ s internal affairs in any form.
” Moritsugu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alice Fung and Katie Tam in Hong Kong and Taijing Wu in Taipei , Taiwan , contributed .
Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic and Democratic Movements of China : www.64live.org

Zen Soo And Ken Moritsugu - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--New York Times says ‘send in the troops’ op-ed was mistake

NEW YORK—A New York Times opinion piece recommending that the U.S. military be used to quell demonstrations suffered from a “ rushed editorial process ” and “ did not meet our standards , ” the newspaper said after a review of the controversial commentary .
The op-ed , written by Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas , said that troops should restore order after rioters “ plunged many American cities into anarchy.
” The editorial was criticized on social media , including by some of the Times ’ own employees , who said it would put the lives of Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , the newspaper put out a statement saying they had examined the process leading up to the editorial ’ s publication and found it lacking .
“ As a result , we ’ re planning to examine both short-term and long-term changes , to include expanding our fact-checking operation and reducing the number of op-eds we publish , ” the Times said in the statement .
The move comes just hours after Times editorial-page editor James Bennet defended publishing the piece , saying , “ It would undermine the integrity and independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only published views that editors like me agreed with .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Testimony: Shooter used racist slur as Arbery lay dying

BRUNSWICK , Ga. - A state investigator testified Thursday that a white man was heard saying a racist slur as he stood over Ahmaud Arbery ’ s body , moments after fatally shooting the black man with a pump-action shotgun .
The inflammatory revelation came amid a week of angry nationwide protests over law enforcement biases against black victims that erupted after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
In a hearing to determine whether there was enough evidence to proceed with a murder trial , the lead Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent in the case testified that Travis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in another pickup , William “ Roddie ” Bryan , used their trucks to chase down and box in Arbery , who repeatedly reversed directions and ran into a ditch while trying to escape .
Travis McMichael then got out of his truck and confronted Arbery , later telling police he shot him in self-defence after Arbery refused his order to get on the ground , GBI agent Richard Dial said .
He said a close examination of the video of the shooting shows the first shot was to Arbery ’ s chest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the third hit his chest again before he collapsed in the road in a subdivision in the port town of Brunswick .
“ Mr .
Bryan said that after the shooting took place before police arrival , while Mr. Arbery was on the ground , that he heard Travis McMichael make the statement , ‘ f - - - ing n - - - er , ’ ” Dial said .
Bryan gave investigators the information roughly a week after the McMichaels ’ arrest , but there ’ s no indication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dial added .
Lee Merritt , an attorney for Arbery ’ s family , told reporters outside the courthouse that prosecutors had warned the family before the hearing of the coming testimony about the slur .
“ It was still very difficult to hear in the context of a prolonged chase , that after he murdered Ahmaud Arbery and stood over his body , he used that racial epithet , ” Merritt said .
The lawyer said Thursday ’ s testimony revealed that “ racism was at the heart ” of Arbery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother , Wanda Cooper-Jones called the release of new details in court “ very , very heartbreaking.
” “ He was afraid , ” Cooper-Jones said of her slain son .
“ Life had placed him in a position where I couldn ’ t protect him , and he wasn ’ t able to protect himself.
” At the conclusion of the probable cause hearing Thursday , Magistrate Court Judge Wallace Harrell found that there was enough evidence for the cases against all three defendants to proceed .
“ Ahmaud Arbery was chased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hands of these men , ” prosecutor Jesse Evans told the judge .
“ He was on a run on a public road in a public subdivision .
He was defenceless and unarmed.
“ Under questioning by Jason Sheffield , an attorney for Travis McMichael , Dial said Travis told police he raised his shotgun at Arbery from roughly 90 feet ( 27 metres ) away and told him to stop and get on the ground .
That ’ s when Arbery ran around the passenger side of Travis ’ truck , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it .
Dial said Travis told police Arbery “ squared up ” like he was going to attack .
“ There ’ s a statement that he might have had his hand on his shirt , ” Dial said .
“ Travis McMichael said his adrenaline was pumping and it all happened very quickly.
” He said Travis then fired the first shot into Arbery ’ s chest .
Sheffield argued that the pursuit began with a legitimate concern about past crimes in the neighbourhood that escalated right before the shooting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was attacked by Mr. Arbery , ” Sheffield said .
“ I don ’ t think it was self-defence by Mr. McMichael , “ Dial said .
” I believe it was self-defence by Mr. Arbery.
” The testimony presented Thursday raises questions about the idea that the McMichaels and Bryan were legitimately carrying out a citizens ’ arrest of a suspected burglar .
It also could factor into a federal investigation into whether hate crime charges are warranted .
Dial testified that Greg McMichael told police that “ he didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not , but he had a gut feeling ” that Arbery had committed prior break-ins in the neighbourhood .
The investigator testified that police body camera footage showed a Confederate flag sticker on a toolbox in Travis ’ truck and that investigators discovered at least two more racial slurs in messages on his phone .
In response to questioning from Bryan ’ s attorney Kevin Gough , Dial testified that he believes Bryan joined the chase because he saw a black man running down the street with a truck following and drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s evidence of Bryan ’ s “ racist attitudes in his communications , ” Dial said , referring to comments found on his cellphone .
The investigator added that several residents of the subdivision where Arbery was killed told investigators they had seen him running in the neighbourhood previously .
Dial said the three defendants are the only known witnesses to the shooting and investigators have found no other video of Arbery ’ s final moments other than what Bryan recorded .
Arbery was killed Feb. 23 after Travis McMichael , 34 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 64 , gave chase when they spotted the 25-year-old black man running in their neighbourhood .
Bryan said he saw them driving by and joined the chase , Dial said .
It wasn ’ t until May 7 — two days after Bryan ’ s cellphone video leaked online and stirred a national outcry — that the defendants were charged .
The McMichaels both wore masks as they sat side-by-side watching the hearing onscreen at the Glynn County jail .
The judge rejected defence motions to have them brought to the courtroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Bryan waived his presence at the hearing .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--8:46: A number becomes a potent symbol of police brutality

MINNEAPOLIS - All protest movements have slogans .
George Floyd ’ s has a number : 8:46 Eight minutes , 46 seconds is the length of time prosecutors say Floyd , a 46-year-old black man , was pinned to the ground under a white Minneapolis police officer ’ s knee before he died last week .
In the days since , outraged protesters , politicians and mourners have seized on the detail as a quiet way to honour Floyd at a time of angry and sometimes violent clashes with police .
Even as prosecutors have said little about how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has fast grown into a potent symbol of the suffering Floyd — and many other black men — have experienced at the hands of police .
In Boston and Tacoma , Washington , demonstrators this week lay down on streets staging “ die-ins “ for precisely 8 minutes , 46 seconds .
Companies , including ViacomCBS and Google , used the time span in their shows of solidarity .
In Washington , Democratic senators on Thursday gathered in the U.S. Capitol ’ s Emancipation Hall , some standing , some kneeling on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of silence .
Mourners at a memorial service for Floyd in Minneapolis on Thursday stood in silence for 8 minutes , 46 seconds , asked by the Rev .
Al Sharpton to “ think about what George was going through , laying there for those eight minutes , begging for his life.
“ “ We can ’ t let this go , ” he said .
“ We can ’ t keep living like this.
” Pausing for a full 8 minutes , 46 seconds helps turn the abstract into a reality , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Violence in Boston Inc. , which organized a Tuesday protest that included the minutes of silence .
“ You find that that ’ s an extremely long time to have someone have their knee in the side of your neck , ” Cannon-Grant said .
As she observed the silence , she said found herself thinking about the safety of her family .
“ All kinds of things were going through my head , ” she said .
“ Mainly that I was the mom of four black sons and I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the power in the number comes from its striking specificity .
In a criminal complaint charging Officer Derek Chauvin in Floyd ’ s murder , prosecutors say they know precisely how long Floyd was pinned to the ground .
“ The defendant had his knee on Mr. Floyd ’ s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total .
Two minutes and 53 seconds of this was after Mr. Floyd was non-responsive , ” the complaint concludes .
“ Police are trained that this type of restraint with a subject in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the timestamps cited in the document ’ s description of the incident , much of which is caught on video , indicate a different tally .
Using those , Chauvin had his knee on Floyd for 7 minutes , 46 seconds , including 1 minute , 53 seconds after Floyd appeared to stop breathing .
Prosecutors involved in the case have not responded to questions about the discrepancy .
On Thursday , John Stiles , a spokesman for the attorney general ’ s office — which is leading the prosecution in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional video footage “ since the original complaint was filed.
” “ There is more evidence to review and the attorney general ’ s office is continuing to review it , ” he said .
Prosecutors repeated their timeline and the 8 minutes , 46 seconds detail in charges filed Wednesday against other officers involved .
In this case , one minute is unlikely to have a major legal significance .
“ Seven minutes is a long time to have a knee on someone ’ s neck regardless , ” said Jared Fishman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That said , Fishman said it ’ s a detail defence lawyers will scrutinize in court .
For those who hold up the number as part of a peaceful call for change , the precise length of time is beside the point : “ It should never have happened to begin with , ” Cannon-Grant said .
It would not be the first time that a detail takes on a life of its own .
After the 2014 death of Michael Brown , word spread in the community that the black 18-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was shot by a white police officer .
The chant “ Hands up .
Don ’ t shoot !
” quickly became a rallying cry for protesters both in the St. Louis suburb and across the country .
But it never was clear whether Brown actually raised his hands .
There were no videos or photos of the shooting .
Some witnesses swore to a grand jury that his hands were raised while others swore they were not .
Officer Darren Wilson testified to grand jurors that Brown was charging at him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side and the other under his shirt , when Wilson fired the fatal shots .
Several protesters said it didn ’ t matter if Brown ’ s hands literally were raised , because his death remained symbolic of wider racial injustices at the hands of police .
Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro contributed from Washington .
LeBlanc reported from Boston .

Kathleen Hennessey And Steve Leblanc - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--AP journalist punched while walking with police commissioner

PHILADELPHIA - An Associated Press photographer on assignment was attacked Thursday afternoon by a passerby while the journalist crossed the @ @ @ @ @ Danielle Outlaw and Mayor Jim Kenney .
Matt Rourke was making photos of Outlaw and @ @ @ @ @ the two city officials spent time with community members .
As Kenney , Outlaw and @ @ @ @ @ members of the media were crossing Broad Street , a man sucker-punched Rourke in his @ @ @ @ @ of the first people to tend to Rourke as he lay on the street bloodied @ @ @ @ @ man and arrested him .
It ’ s unknown if he ’ s been charged @ @ @ @ @ the hospital and is expected to be OK. An email to the Philadelphia Police Department @ @ @ @ @ was sent .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Floyd mourned, celebrated as death used as call to action

MINNEAPOLIS - A mural honouring George Floyd was projected above his golden coffin , where mourners knelt and cried , paused and prayed Thursday at his memorial service .
Its simple message : “ I can breathe now.
” But for far too many black Americans , dreams have been dashed and goals not achieved because because they still can not breathe , said the Rev .
Al Sharpton , who eulogized Floyd in Minneapolis on Thursday .
“ The reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed to be is you kept your knee on our neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s May 25 arrest , during which a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into the handcuffed black man ’ s neck for several minutes even after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air .
“ What happened to Floyd happens every day in this county , ” Sharpton said .
“ It ’ s time for us to stand up in George ’ s name and say , ‘ Get your knee off our neck !
” Floyd ’ s memorial service was a send-off that his family felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a man they affectionately called “ Perry.
” With many of Minnesota ’ s top elected leaders in the room , along with members of Congress , the service included strong calls for meaningful changes in policing and the criminal justice system .
During eulogy remarks , Sharpton revealed plans to hold a commemorative march on Washington in August as part of a push for federal policing reforms .
“ When we fight for the George Floyds of the world — and more importantly , the unknown George Floyds of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all Americans , ” said Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump , who listed off the names of other African American men and women killed by police .
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee , who represents Floyd ’ s native Houston and attended the service , said that she and other lawmakers on Thursday introduced police accountability legislation named after Floyd .
The measure calls for improved training for police departments and standards for how the use of deadly force and misconduct are investigated , among other aims .
“ We have put a stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be no more ” unchecked killing by police , Jackson-Lee told The Associated Press .
“ I will never forget the words ‘ I can ’ t breathe.
’ America can not allow people to die in the 21st century.
” She was among dozens of other politicians , celebrities , civil rights activists and family members of Floyd who sang “ Amazing Grace , ” prayed and joined together in a rousing memorial that was a celebration for a man whose death at the hands of police has sparked protests nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injustice .
Inside the service , held in the Frank J. Lindquist sanctuary at North Central University , mourners wore masks , some with the words “ I can ’ t breathe ” on them .
Organizers issued several reminders for attendees to keep some social distance .
Many attendees bumped elbows rather than hug or shake hands , at the memorial taking place in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
It was not the coronavirus that killed Floyd , Crump said his service remarks , but the “ pandemic of racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other family members told personal stories about dancing , playing football , cooking and enjoying life together .
They said he was also known by the other endearing nicknames such as “ Georgie Porgie.
” “ George , he was like a general , ” brother Philonise Floyd said .
“ Every day he would walk outside there would be a line of people wanting to greet him .
...
He was powerful , man .
He had a way with words .
... Everybody loved George.
” Projected above the pulpit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orange mural that was painted at the site of a makeshift memorial in the neighbourhood where Floyd pleaded for air .
A small band and choir sang “ Goin ’ Up Yonder ” and other classic gospel songs as mourners gathered .
Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Bishop Hezekiah Walker closed the service with the song “ Every Praise.
” Others in attendance included Martin Luther King III , Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar ; Reps. Ilhan Omar , Ayana Pressley and Joyce Beatty ; rappers T.I.
, with his wife Tiny , Ludacris , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tiffany Haddish ; and actress Marsai Martin .
Floyd ’ s body will go from the first service to Raeford , North Carolina , the state where he was born 46 years ago , for a two-hour public viewing and private service for the family on Saturday .
Finally , a public viewing will be held Monday in Houston , where he was raised and lived most of his life .
A 500-person service on Tuesday will take place at The Fountain of Praise church and will include addresses from Sharpton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E. Wright , the family pastor .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , may attend , and other political figures and celebrities are expected as well .
A private burial will follow .
Floyd ’ s final journey was designed with intention , Sharpton said ahead of Thursday ’ s service .
Having left Houston for Minneapolis in 2014 in search of a job and a new life , Floyd will retrace that path .
Many mourners have noted that , among the wrenching cries that Floyd made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his mother , Larcenia Floyd .
His mother had died two years prior .
Sharpton said George Floyd was calling for his mother because , as he neared death , she had her hands outstretched to him calling him back home .
“ Come on , George , ” Sharpton said .
“ I ’ ll welcome you where the wicked will cease from troubling you , where the weary will get rest .
It ’ s a place where police don ’ t put knees on you , George.
” Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott Bauer in Madison , Wisconsin ; and Nomaan Merchant in Houston contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Attorneys: 2 ex-cops charged in Floyd’s death were rookies

MINNEAPOLIS - Two of three Minneapolis police officers accused of aiding and abetting in the death of George Floyd were rookies barely off probation when a more senior white officer ignored the black man ’ s cries for help and pressed a knee into his neck , defence attorneys said Thursday .
Earl Gray said his client , former Officer Thomas Lane , had no choice but to follow the instructions of Derek Chauvin , who has since been charged with second-degree murder in Floyd ’ s May 25 death .
Gray called the case against his client “ extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 750,000 apiece for Lane , J. Kueng and Tou Thao , when they made their first appearances in Hennepin County District Court Thursday .
Simultaneously , and just blocks away , celebrities , friends and relatives gathered to memorialize Floyd at a Bible college .
The Minneapolis Police Department fired all four officers last week and charged Chauvin — initially with third-degree murder — the following day .
But protests that began on the streets of Minneapolis quickly spread across the nation , calling for justice for Floyd and other African Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , the three other officers were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder .
If convicted , they potentially face the same penalty as Chauvin : up to 40 years in prison .
Gray said Thursday that all Lane did was hold Floyd ’ s feet so he couldn ’ t kick , and he underlined that the criminal complaint says Lane asked Chauvin twice if they should roll Floyd over and expressed concern that Floyd might be in delirium .
He said Lane performed CPR in the ambulance .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow what his training officer said ?
Is that aiding and abetting a crime ?
” Gray asked .
Gray and Kueng ’ s defence attorney , Tom Plunkett , asked the court for lower bail , saying their clients had been police officers for just four days when Floyd was killed .
Police records indicate that while the men were rookies , they had more experience than a handful of days on the force .
According to their records , they joined the department in February 2019 and became full officers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year on probation and spend time in field training with a more senior officer before they are fully qualified .
Kueng , who is black , became a police officer because he “ wanted to make his community a better place , ” Plunkett said .
He said Kueng was raised by his single mother on Minneapolis ’ predominantly black north side .
Plunkett and Thao ’ s attorney , Robert Paule , did not address the merits of the charges in court and declined to comment after the hearing out of respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memorial .
Judge Paul Scoggin set their next court dates for June 29 .
Gray said he plans to renew his arguments for lower bail then , saying it could take more than a year for Lane ’ s case to go to trial .
A date for Chauvin ’ s first court appearance has not been set , and his attorney has not publicly commented on the case .
The latest criminal complaint says his actions were a “ substantial causal factor in Mr. Floyd losing consciousness , constituting substantial bodily harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well.
” The complaint against Lane , 37 , notes that while he suggested to Chauvin that Floyd should be rolled over he “ took no actions to assist Mr. Floyd , to change his position , or to reduce the force the officers were using against Mr. Floyd.
” Kueng ’ s complaint says the 26-year-old was positioned between Chauvin and Lane and could hear their comments .
Thao , 34 , was seen in the cellphone video standing near a crowd of bystanders , and his complaint says although he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrict the movement of a person in custody — from the squad car , “ the officers decided not to use it and maintained their positions.
” Gov .
Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights have ordered a civil rights investigation of the police department to determine how to address racial discrimination and create systemic change .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Portland, other cities rethink school police amid protests

PORTLAND , Ore. - Oregon ’ s largest school district will no longer have police officers in its schools and joins a handful of urban districts from Minneapolis to Denver that are rethinking their school resource officer programs amid national outrage over the death of George Floyd .
Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero said Thursday that Portland Public Schools needed to “ re-examine our relationship ” with the police in light of protests over the death of Floyd , a handcuffed black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ joins Minneapolis , which severed ties with its school resource officers on Tuesday .
Districts in St. Paul , Minnesota and Denver are considering doing the same .
Protesters in Charlottesville , Virginia , have made the end of the school resource officer program in their district one of their demands .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Thursday that he would also discontinue using school resource officers in two smaller metropolitan districts under a program that costs the city $ 1.6 million a year .
The move is in response to the demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them young , who have filled the streets of Oregon ’ s largest city for six consecutive nights .
Having the officers in high schools has been a touchy topic for several years in this liberal city .
Students have protested in recent years for an end to the program , at one point even overwhelming a school board meeting .
“ Leaders must listen and respond to community .
We must disrupt the patterns of racism and injustice , ” Wheeler said Thursday of the most recent demonstrations .
“ I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence of armed police officers in schools is a contentious one .
While many Portland residents applauded the decision , others raised immediate concerns about student safety in the event of a school shooting or other emergency .
Wheeler said the city would make sure officers could respond rapidly in an emergency .
The move is “ a knee-jerk reaction , ” and the decision by a few districts to stop their programs could snowball — to the detriment of students nationwide , said Mo Canady , executive director of the National Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents about 10,000 dues-paying officers .
There are an estimated 25,000 school resource officers nationwide , he said .
“ What happened last Monday is atrocious .
I don ’ t know how someone who wears a uniform , like I used to do , could get to that point .
That ’ s evil , ” Canady said of Floyd ’ s death .
“ But ...
I think there ’ s some shortsightedness here .
When it ’ s done right , the SRO program really is the epitome of community-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby thrown out with the bathwater.
” Beyond their law enforcement role , the model for school resource officers endorsed by the U.S. Justice Department enlists them also as mentors , informal counsellors and educators on topics ranging from bullying to drunk driving with the goal of promoting school safety .
But critics of the concept say the officers ’ presence can also lead to the criminalization of students , particularly students of colour , who may be labeled as troublemakers for things such as not paying attention in class , using a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 , a school resource officer in South Carolina was caught on video flipping a female student to the floor and dragging her across a classroom after she refused to surrender her cellphone .
Nationwide , 43 % of public schools had an armed law enforcement officer present at least once a week in the 2015-2016 school year , the last time the National Center for Education Statistics released data on this topic .
Properly trained officers work closely with school administrators , Canady said .
Generally there is an understanding that anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by school officials , he said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Kentucky governor: Jefferson Davis statue should be moved

FRANKFORT , Ky. - Statues of Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln tower over visitors to Kentucky ’ s Capitol , but the state ’ s governor doesn ’ t think the Confederate president belongs in the same space as the U.S. president who helped end slavery .
Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear said Thursday that he sees the Davis statue as a divisive symbol that should be removed from the Capitol Rotunda .
Beshear was asked about the Davis statue during a time of unrest in Louisville , where crowds have protested over police interactions with blacks .
“ Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a part of history , there should be a better place to put it in historic context , ” the governor said .
“ And right now , seeing so much pain in our state and across our country , can ’ t we at least realize that in so many of our fellow Kentuckians ... it is in the very least so hurtful to them ?
And doesn ’ t that at least justify it not sitting where it does right now ?
“ I don ’ t think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ he added .
The 15-foot ( 4.5-meter ) marble statue of Davis sits in a corner of the state ’ s ornate Capitol Rotunda near a bronze likeness of Lincoln .
Both men were born in Kentucky .
The statues of the Civil War adversaries are among several on display in the Rotunda .
Advocates have been asking state officials to remove the Davis statue for years .
In 2018 , officials removed a plaque declaring the only president of the Confederacy to be a “ Patriot-Hero-Statesman.
” Now , the effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new momentum .
In Louisville , demonstrators have gathered for days to demand justice for Breonna Taylor , a black woman shot in her home by police detectives in March .
Taylor , a 26-year-old EMT , was shot eight times by narcotics detectives who knocked down her front door while attempting to enforce a search warrant .
No drugs were found in the home .
Protesters also are demanding justice for George Floyd , a black man who died after an encounter with police in Minneapolis .
Meanwhile , Virginia Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee near downtown Richmond will be removed from its 40-foot-tall ( 12-meter-tall ) granite pedestal as soon as possible .
The governor said it will go into storage while his administration seeks public input about its future .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Following Mattis: More in the GOP frown on Trump’s tone

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s inability to unify the nation at a time of grave unrest is testing his uneasy alliance with mainstream Republicans , some emboldened by Gen. James Mattis ’ plea for a leader who lives up to the U.S. ideals of a more perfect union .
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski on Thursday called the rebuke by Trump ’ s first Pentagon chief “ necessary and overdue.
“ “ Perhaps we ’ re getting to the point where we can be more honest with the concerns that we might hold internally , and have the courage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Murkowski said .
Murkowski ’ s remarks reflected the choice Republicans are forced to make about whether , and for how long , to support Trump when his words and actions so often conflict with their values and goals .
Trump has responded to violence accompanying some protests following George Floyd ’ s killing in Minneapolis by calling for more “ law and order ” to “ dominate ” even peaceful demonstrations .
He has been slower and less forceful in addressing racial injustice and questions of police brutality that lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked whether she can still support Trump , Murkowski replied : “ I am struggling with it .
I have struggled with it for a long time.
” The nation is on edge , and Election Day looms , with the presidency and control of the House and Senate at stake .
Trump has made clear that consequences for what he considers disloyalty can be steep .
Indeed , he promised Thursday to campaign against Murkowski when she is up for reelection in 2022 .
“ Get any candidate ready , good or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m endorsing , ” Trump tweeted .
Most in the GOP aren ’ t breaking with him .
Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana said Mattis ’ missive was not discussed Thursday at the GOP ’ s lunch .
Asked for this thoughts on Mattis and Murkowski , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell offered no response .
Democratic senators , meanwhile , gathered at the Capitol ’ s Emancipation Hall to bow — some kneeling — in a 8-minute , 46-second moment of silence for Floyd .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the “ increased militarization ” toward protesters “ that may increase chaos.
” For Republicans , the challenge peaked this week when federal forces abruptly cleared peaceful protesters from Lafayette Park near the White House so Trump could stage a photo op in front of St. John ’ s , the “ church of presidents , ” holding up a Bible .
Mattis , Trump ’ s defence secretary until December 2018 , watched the developments “ angry and appalled ” and let rip his disapproval Wednesday night in a denunciation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try .
Instead , he tries to divide us , ” Mattis wrote in The Atlantic , adding that the upheaval is the result of ” three years without mature leadership.
“ In some respects , the statement read like a suggestion to Republicans as much as to the nation as a whole .
Right up until Mattis released it , saying little or nothing against the loyalty-loving president remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress .
Earlier in the week , for example , Republican Sen .
Rob Portman of Ohio was one of a procession of Republicans who muttered or dodged when asked if Trump ’ s use of the military to suppress protesters was the right thing to do .
But after Mattis ’ rebuke , Portman was more willing to discuss Trump ’ s handling of the protests .
He pointed out that Trump in prepared remarks did condemn Floyd ’ s killing and applauded peaceful demonstrations .
But “ his tone and words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presentations have not unified people , “ Portman said .
“ It ’ s more about tone .
I think he ’ s probably getting that message from a lot of people.
” Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming , a member of the GOP leadership , did not denounce Mattis , saying Thursday he ’ d prefer to speak of issues that unify people .
Murkowski , who has her own complicated relationship with Trump , suggested those in the president ’ s mostly white party are looking for the right words and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ W. Bush and now Mattis , she said , help point the way .
“ I think right now ... questions about who I ’ m going to vote for , who I ’ m not going to vote for , I think , are distracting to the moment , ” said Murkowski , who said she ’ d continue to try to work with the Trump administration .
“ I know people might think that ’ s a dodge , ” she added , “ but I think there are important conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people amongst ourselves about where we are right now.
” For his part , Trump dismissed Mattis , who served nearly a half-century in the military , as “ the world ’ s most overrated General.
” Murkowski and Portman retracted their endorsements of Trump during the 2016 election when he could be heard on the “ Access Hollywood ” tape bragging about assaulting women .
They also voted to acquit him of House abuse and obstruction charges earlier this year after Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Other Republicans this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Ben Sasse , R-Neb.
, a frequent Trump critic who is up for reelection , said , “ I ’ m against clearing out a peaceful protest for a photo op that treats the word of God as a political prop.
” Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans seeking reelection , said it was “ painful to watch peaceful protesters to be subjected to tear gas in order for the president to go across the street to a church that I believe he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s walk to St. John ’ s was confrontational , at the wrong time of day , and it distracted from his important message in the Rose Garden about our national grief , racism , peaceful protests , and lawful assembly , ” added Sen. James Lankford , R-Okla. , who is not on the ballot this year .
“ The President ’ s important message was drowned out by an awkward photo op.
” The president noticed , and name-checked the trio .
“ You got it wrong !
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they light the Church on fire the night before ?
People liked my walk to this historic place of worship !
” he tweeted Wednesday , suggesting that “ Sen .
Susan Collins , Sen. James Lankford , Sen. Ben Sasse ” read a specific article .
He took no such aim at Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C. , the only black Republican in the Senate .
“ If your question is , should you use tear gas to clear a path so the president can go have a photo op , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politico .

Laurie Kellman And Lisa Mascaro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--George Floyd’s death may have changed the world, but it hasn’t changed Donald Trump

WASHINGTON—Rev .
Al Sharpton ’ s eulogy for George Floyd , at a memorial service in Minneapolis , reached an emotional crescendo of triumphant shouting .
“ Go on home , George !
Get your rest , George !
You changed the world , George !
” It was a message both personal and political at a service for a man whose life was remembered by his family as full of love , and whose death under the knee of a police officer has galvanized a movement for racial justice .
His brother Philonise spoke of his life : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his death : “ What happened to George Floyd happens every day in America , in education and health services and every area of American life .
It ’ s time for us to stand up in George ’ s name and say , ‘ Get your knee off our necks.
’ ” Earlier , the president of North Central University , where the service was held , said he hoped it would be a “ table of healing ” for Floyd ’ s family , and also for a nation needing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philonise Floyd remembered the days he and his brother did laundry in the sink , and how George could make all the people he met in the street “ feel like they were the president ” with his generosity of spirit .
Floyd ’ s youngest brother Terrence , after sharing his own memories , made a request now familiar to those around the country from chants at street protests : “ Can y ’ all please say his name ?
” Those in attendance , including the Governor of Minnesota and members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sharpton called out President Donald Trump directly , directing him to open the bible he ’ d held up in an infamous photo-op this week , and to read from the book of Ecclesiastes , where it says there is a time and a season for everything — and to realize that the time for change has arrived .
“ I ’ m more hopeful today than ever , ” he said , noting that after a long career in the civil-rights movement , the recent crowds were younger , many white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were being held in solidarity .
“ This is a different time .
It ’ s a different season , ” he said .
That feeling , that something has changed in the wake of Floyd ’ s death to make real change possible , was not only being felt inside the room , but across the country .
Just as those at the memorial service observed more than eight minutes of silence to commemorate the length of time an officer ’ s knee was on Floyd ’ s neck , they observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Democratic senators did so in the Capitol building in Washington .
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced she ’ d introduce a police reform bill on Monday .
The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Mike Mullen , wrote this week that an “ inflection point ” had been reached over Trump ’ s conduct in the wake of the protests .
He was joined soon after by Trump ’ s former defence secretary , James Mattis , who said the president ’ s militant response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution.
” On Thursday , Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Mattis ’ s comments were “ true , and honest and necessary and overdue , ” and that the time had arrived when members of the president ’ s party would feel the courage to speak up about their concerns about Trump .
Every living former president has publicly said that the protests are an occasion to address racial injustice — George W. Bush said in a statement , “ It is time for America to examine our tragic failures.
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While calling for “ justice ” for Floyd ’ s “ brutal ” killing , he has portrayed it as an isolated incident and avoided tying it to wider police conduct or race relations , while continuing to emphasize a militant response to demonstrators he ’ s characterized as “ terrorists ” because of some of the violence and vandalism that have broken out .
Late Wednesday , the heads of military branches , including the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , sent out messages to their service members reminding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the constitutional principles of racial equality and the right to protest — messages perceived as responses to Trump ’ s incendiary rhetoric .
There ’ s reason to think the general public may be responding to the messages the same way .
In addition to polls this week showing the majority of Americans are sympathetic to the protesters , a wave of election polls , especially from swing states , showed Trump falling behind Joe Biden amid the recent protest crisis .
A Fox poll even showed the two candidates tied in Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election since 1976 .
When the protests and the looting and vandalism that initially accompanied some of them began , Trump appeared to be seizing the opportunity to try to look strong and in charge by cracking down — many thought he saw it as an escape route from the political crisis of coronavirus he could not control .
Now , even as protesters , politicians and activists speak of change being at hand , Trump has shown no signs of changing his approach .
Trump has responded to the wave of military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these critics on Twitter .
On Thursday , Trump ’ s campaign sent out a fundraising message based on standing up to protesters .
“ The Left-Wing MOB is trying to DESTROY communities around the Nation , and Sleepy Joe ’ s campaign is only fuelling the fire , ” it read .
“ THESE RIOTS MUST END.
” There were no riots in Washington on Wednesday — and no reported arrests of any kind after what the mayor said was the largest protest yet , with crowds reaching 5,000 near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inspiring moments .
As a result , there was no curfew imposed on Thursday .
Protests were expected to continue there and in other cities .
As Sharpton said at Floyd ’ s memorial service , “ This is the time : we won ’ t stop , we ’ re going to keep going until we change the whole system of justice .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--Woman charged in stepson’s death accused of plotting escape

COLORADO SPRINGS , Colo. - A Colorado woman charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 11-year-old stepson is now accused of plotting to break out of jail .
Letecia Stauch , 36 , solicited help from a fellow inmate to escape from the El Paso County Jail , according to a probable cause affidavit dated Monday .
She is accused of telling the inmate about her plans to use a broom handle to break the window in her cell , and that she had already measured herself to make sure she could fit through .
Investigators say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cell with her daughter ’ s name on it telling her not to be afraid if the media reports that she is no longer in jail or is missing .
The fellow inmate told deputies about the plan and gave them notes from Stauch that asked for help .
At least one of the notes was partially written in code .
Stauch is being represented by the state public defender ’ s office , which does not comment on cases .
She reported Gannon Stauch missing Jan. 27 , saying he never returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go to a friend ’ s house .
Authorities initially called him a runaway .
But three days later , they said he was considered missing and endangered because of his age , the amount of time he had been gone and his dependence on medication .
After a search that lasted for weeks came up empty , investigators presumed the boy was dead and arrested the stepmother in Myrtle Beach , South Carolina , on March 2 .
The boy ’ s remains were found in Pace , on the Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his bedroom a few hours before reporting him missing , then concocted a variety of stories to mislead them .
Evidence of blood was found in Gannon ’ s bedroom and Stauch ’ s SUV , according to an arrest affidavit .
The document doesn ’ t describe a motive , but investigators said that based on her internet searches , it seems she was unhappily married and resentful of being treated as a babysitter for her stepchildren .
Stauch is set to appear in court Friday .


thetorontostar--2020-06-04--DC attorney general questions National Guard presence

WASHINGTON - The attorney general for Washington , D.C. , pressed the Trump administration and several state governments Thursday to justify the legality of their decision to send a growing contingent of National Guard troops to the nation ’ s capital in the wake of street protests .
D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine said in letters sent Thursday that he was “ reviewing the legality of aspects of the federal government ’ s response to the George Floyd protests in the city.
” In letters sent to Attorney General William Barr , Defence Secretary Mark Esper and White House Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the district ’ s government “ has received very little information about the legal basis for these entities ’ presence.
” In all of the letters , Racine asked the federal and state authorities to explain the legal authority for the deployments , the troops ’ mission and whether they have been given the authority to make arrests .
On Tuesday , the day after U.S. Park Police and other federal law enforcement swept protesters away from the White House with pepper projectiles and aggressive force , D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser decried President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of Guardsmen in the capital would “ dominate the streets.
“ “ I don ’ t think that the military should be used on the streets of American cities against Americans , ” Bowser said .
“ And I definitely think it shouldn ’ t be used for a show.
” At least 5,000 Guard members were initially activated last weekend , the National Guard Bureau reported at the time , and hundreds more troops have been deployed to the district over the past several days .
The troops have been used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at federal monuments and installations across the district .
National Guard troops were sent by Indiana , New Jersey , Maryland , South Carolina , Missouri , Florida , Tennessee and Utah .
Racine sent letters to governors of all of those states , along with other states that were reportedly asked to send troops : New York , Virginia , Delaware , Illinois and Pennsylvania .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Burundi appeals court upholds journalists’ prison sentence

NAIROBI , Kenya - An appeals court in Burundi on Friday upheld the two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for four journalists convicted on charges of trying to undermine state security .
The journalists are with Iwacu , one of the few remaining private media organizations in the East African nation .
“ Our four colleagues remain in prison at Bubanza .
We will keep claiming justice and take the affair to the Supreme Court .
We thank all those who support us , ” Iwacu leader Antoine Kaburahe said in a Twitter post .
The four were arrested in October in Musigati @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aftermath of clashes between the army and a rebel group from South Kivu in neighbouring Congo .
President Pierre Nkurunziza ’ s government cracked down on the media ahead of the May presidential election won by the ruling party candidate .
Several local radio stations and media houses closed and many journalists fled the country .
“ These ( Iwacu ) journalists should never have been arrested for doing their work .
This case has been nothing but retaliation for journalism , “ said Muthoki Mumo , the Committee to Protect Journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case is empty , ” added Arnaud Froger , Africa manager for Reporters Without Borders .
Burundi has been plagued by political violence since 2015 , when Nkurunziza announced he would seek a disputed third term .
He won re-election despite widespread protests , and the United Nations says more than 1,200 people were killed in the ensuing crackdown .
Nkurunziza surprised many by not running again this time , but some in Burundi worry he will assert power behind the scenes as the ruling party ’ s “ Supreme Guide .
”

Eloge Willy Kaneza - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Mobile, Alabama removes Confederate statue without warning

MOBILE , Ala. - The city of Mobile , Alabama removed a Confederate statue early Friday , without making any public announcements about it beforehand .
The bronze figure of Admiral Raphael Semmes had become a flashpoint for protest in the city .
AL.com reported that it was removed from its pedestal after being vandalized this week , and before demonstrations announced for Sunday calling for it to be taken down .
The removal of the 120-year-old figure follows days of protests in Alabama and across the nation over killings by police of African Americans .
Some other Confederate symbols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The city of Birmingham removed a towering obelisk after another statue was toppled by protesters .
Virginia ’ s governor has decided to remove a huge statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond , Virginia , after city authorities said they ’ ll remove other Confederate monuments from Monument Avenue .
Semmes was a Confederate commerce raider , sinking Union-allied ships during the Civil War .
According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama , he was jailed on treason charges in New York City before returning South after the war , and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an elected judge in Mobile .
He later wrote his memoirs and became a “ Lost Cause ” hero to Southerners who lamented the end of the Confederacy .
Semmes , Alabama , a city of several thousand people outside Mobile , was incorporated in 2010 and named in his honour .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--EU hopes to free borders of virus restrictions by end June

BRUSSELS - Europe could have its free travel zone up and running again by the end of the month , but travellers from further afield will not be allowed in before July , European Union Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said Friday after talks among the bloc ’ s interior ministers .
Panicked by the coronavirus outbreak in Italy in February , countries in the 26-nation Schengen area — where people and goods move freely without checks — imposed border restrictions without consulting their neighbours to try to keep the disease out .
The moves caused traffic jams and blocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jewel in Europe ’ s crown which helps business flourish , and many European officials feared that the very future of the Schengen area was at threat from the restrictions .
These added to pressures already caused by the arrival in Europe of well over 1 million migrants in 2015 .
“ I personally believe that we will return to a full functioning of the Schengen area and freedom of movement of citizens no later than the end of the month of June , ” Johansson told reporters after the video-conference meeting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Prevention and Control believes that confinement and other health measures are working .
The centre says that more than 168,000 people have been killed by the coronavirus in Europe , mostly in Britain , Italy , France and Spain .
“ Physical distancing and other health-related measures are still needed , of course .
But health authorities are clear that there is no long a clear justification for either travel restrictions or border measures within the EU Schengen area , ” Johansson said .
The news should come as a relief to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out their summer vacation plans — which begin for many in July once the school year is over — and are anxious to know whether they will be allowed to head to beaches on the Mediterranean or into the mountains .
All but essential travel into Europe from outside is restricted until June 15 , but many ministers suggested that they want this deadline extended until early July , Johansson said .

Lorne Cook And Karel Janicek - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Bangladeshi courts freeing child suspects due to virus risk

DHAKA , Bangladesh - Authorities in Bangladesh have been releasing hundreds of children suspected of committing mostly petty crimes as they try to keep the coronavirus from spreading in overcrowded detention centres , officials said Friday .
The orders for their release on bail came from virtual courts set up by the country ’ s Supreme Court with the help of UNICEF , officials said .
About 400 children have been granted bail in recent weeks and more than 300 of them have already been reunited with their families , said Natalie McCauley , chief of child protection at UNICEF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came as public health experts said children living in the country ’ s detention centres face a higher risk of getting infected , mainly because of overcrowding and poor conditions .
Bangladesh has a protracted system of delivering justice , with some cases for petty crimes taking years to conclude .
According to UNICEF , some 23,000 cases involving children under 18 are currently pending with courts across the country .
Saifur Rahman , a special officer of the Supreme Court and additional district judge who is involved with the release program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inadequate staff and utilities in detention centres , it was extremely difficult to minimize the risk of infection from COVID-19 .
“ In all fairness , maintaining social and physical distancing is next to impossible in such a situation , ” he said .
Mohammed Rakib , 15 , was accused of beating a man in Dhaka nearly two months ago .
A judge from a regular court denied him bail and he was eventually sent to an overcrowded detention centre just outside Dhaka that UNICEF says houses nearly 700 children even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Late last month he was finally granted bail through the new virtual court .
“ It feels great to be freed and get united with my parents , ” Rakib told The Associated Press on Friday .
“ I am very happy .
I have suffered in the jail a lot .
That ’ s a bad place.
“ The reunion was special for Rakib and his family as they were able to celebrate the end of Ramadan together .
“ His mother burst into tears after seeing our youngest son , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was a moment of joy .
We love him a lot.
” On Friday , the total number of COVID-19 infections in Bangladesh stood at 60,391 , with 811 deaths .
Public health experts say the actual number of the infected people is likely much higher .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Seven people found dead inside burning house in Alabama

VALHERMOSO SPRINGS , Ala. - Deputies responding to a call about a shooting in Alabama early Friday found seven people @ @ @ @ @ the house on fire , WHNT-TV reported .
Morgan County deputies were able to put @ @ @ @ @ got to the scene , and that ’ s when they found seven adults dead @ @ @ @ @ to the television station .
The deaths will be investigated as homicides , the Morgan @ @ @ @ @ said in a Facebook pos t Friday .
The post says there are no suspects @ @ @ @ @ s also no further threat at the scene .