thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Barr says he didn’t give tactical order to clear protesters

WASHINGTON - Attorney General William Barr says law enforcement officers were already moving to push back protesters from a park in front of the White House when he arrived there Monday evening , and he says he did not give a command to disperse the crowd , though he supported the decision .
Barr ’ s comments in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday were his most detailed explanation yet of what unfolded outside the White House earlier this week .
They come after the White House and others said repeatedly that the attorney general ordered officers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressively pushed back demonstrators , President Donald Trump — accompanied by Barr , Pentagon leaders and other top advisers — walked through Lafayette Park to pose for a photo at a nearby church that had been damaged during the protests .
The episode played out on live television and prompted an outcry from some Republicans and former military leaders , including Gen. Jim Mattis , Trump ’ s first defence secretary .
Barr told the AP that much of the criticism was unwarranted and that Mattis ’ rebuke was “ borne of ignorance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have spent much of the week trying to explain how the situation escalated and why smoke bombs , pepper balls and police on horseback were needed to clear the largely peaceful crowd .
Earlier in the week , White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told reporters it was Barr who made the decision to push back the security perimeter outside the White House on Monday morning .
McEnany said that when Barr arrived at Lafayette Park later that day to survey the security situation , he was surprised to see that action had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said that we needed to get going with moving that perimeter .
He told the officers that out there , ” McEnany said Wednesday .
A person familiar with the matter also said earlier this week that Barr told law enforcement to take action to move the perimeter when he arrived in the park .
On Friday , Barr told the AP that both he and U.S. Park Police were in agreement on the need to push back the security perimeter .
He said he attended a meeting around 2 p.m. Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham , where they looked at a map and decided on a dividing line .
Under the plan , the protesters would be moved away from Lafayette Park and federal law enforcement officials and members of the National Guard would maintain the perimeter line , Barr said .
Barr said the plan was supposed to be put into action soon after the meeting , but additional officers and National Guard troops had to be called in because of a high number of officers who had been injured throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been implemented when he arrived at the park later in the evening and the crowd had grown much larger than it was in the afternoon , Barr said .
Still , he said he did not give the officers the orders to proceed — they were already in the process of doing so when he showed up .
“ They told me they were about to make the announcement and I think they stretched the announcements over 20 minutes .
During the time I was there , I would periodically hear announcements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Park Police mounted unit ready , so it was just a matter of execution .
So , I didn ’ t just say to them , ‘ Go.
’ “ Barr said it was a Park Police tactical commander — an official he never spoke to — who gave the order for the law enforcement agencies to move in and clear the protesters .
“ I ’ m not involved in giving tactical commands like that , “ he said .
“ I was frustrated and I was also worried that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be harder and harder to do .
So my attitude was get it done , but I didn ’ t say , ‘ Go do it.
’ ” Barr insisted there was no connection between the heavy-handed crackdown on the protesters and Trump ’ s walk soon after to St. John ’ s Church .
The attorney general said he had learned in the afternoon that Trump wanted to go outside , and said that when he went to the White House in the evening , he learned of the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the Secret Service and Park Police , were involved in the pushback on the protesters .
Members of the National Guard were present but didn ’ t engage with the protesters , Barr said .
Trump also threatened that night to deploy active-duty military forces to the states if local and state authorities could not adequately quell the demonstrations , which have occasionally turned violent .
Mattis , who left the administration in 2019 , said Wednesday that Trump was setting up a “ false conflict ” between the military and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the show of force outside the White House .
“ We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square .
We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution , ” Mattis said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Mail ballots from Tuesday’s election push Biden over the top

WASHINGTON - After primaries and caucuses in 42 states and the District of Columbia , Joe Biden has won the last few delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination for president as states worked to tally a surge of mail ballots .
Indiana , Pennsylvania and Rhode Island were among the seven states , plus the district , holding elections Tuesday .
But a huge increase in vote-by-mail ballots , driven in large part by the coronavirus pandemic , meant election officials were still counting ballots Friday .
Democrats don ’ t hold winner-take-all contests in which the top vote-getter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the delegates are split up proportionally among the candidates based on their share of the vote — both statewide and in individual congressional districts .
As the states that voted Tuesday updated their results , a team of analysts at The Associated Press parsed the votes into the correct congressional districts so the delegates could be allocated between Biden and Bernie Sanders .
The process led the AP to allocate 21 delegates to Biden late Friday , after it completed an analysis of votes released by election officials in the three states earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two more to Biden ’ s total , after the release of additional results in New Mexico .
The former vice-president now has a total of 1,995 delegates .
It takes 1,991 delegates to win the nomination on the first ballot at the Democratic National Convention .
Biden became the party ’ s presumptive nominee two months ago , following decisive wins over Bernie Sanders in several March primaries and in Wisconsin on April 7 .
The Vermont senator , the final major challenger in the race , dropped out the next day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic nomination much earlier , if not for the coronavirus pandemic — 15 states , along with Guam and Puerto Rico , postponed their nominating contests due to the outbreak .
The formality of reaching 1,991 was also delayed by a deal Biden ’ s campaign cut with Sanders in an effort to build Democratic Party unity and avoid the bitter feelings that marred the party ’ s 2016 convention and helped lead to Hillary Clinton ’ s defeat .
The agreement allowed Sanders to keep about 300 delegates he would have otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
It ’ s not unusual for a Democratic nominee to clinch the party ’ s nomination in early June .
That ’ s when Barack Obama in 2008 and Clinton in 2016 reached the milestone .
Both Obama and Clinton still had active opponents when they did so , although they were helped by superdelegates .
Those are the Democratic Party leaders and elected officials who can vote for any candidate , regardless of the outcome of the primaries .
While superdelegates have never overturned the will of primary voters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 election in a concession to Sanders supporters who saw them as undemocratic .
About 800 superdelegates can still participate in this summer ’ s convention , but they won ’ t be able to vote on the first ballot unless their votes would have no effect on the outcome .
Stephen Ohlemacher is the AP ’ s Election Decision Editor .
He has overseen the AP delegate count since 2008 .

Stephen OhlemacHer - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Biden formally clinches Democratic presidential nomination

WASHINGTON - Joe Biden has formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination , setting him up for a bruising challenge to President Donald Trump that will play out against the unprecedented backdrop of a pandemic , economic collapse and civil unrest .
“ It was an honour to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded , “ Biden said in a statement Friday night , ” and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.
” The former vice-president has effectively been his party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Democratic primary , Bernie Sanders , ended his campaign in April .
But Biden pulled together the 1,991 delegates needed to become the nominee Friday after seven states and the District of Columbia held presidential primaries Tuesday .
Biden reached the threshold three days after the primaries because several states , overwhelmed by huge increases in mail ballots , took days to tabulate results .
A team of analysts at The Associated Press then parsed the votes into individual congressional districts .
Democrats award most delegates to the party ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional districts .
Biden now has 1,995 delegates , with contests still to come in eight states and three U.S. territories .
The moment was met with little of the traditional fanfare as the nation confronts overlapping crises .
While Biden has started to venture out more this week , the coronavirus pandemic has largely confined him to his Wilmington , Delaware , home for much of the past three months .
The country faces the worst rate of unemployment since the Great Depression .
And civil unrest that harkens back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the death of George Floyd , a black man who died when a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
It ’ s a confluence of events that no U.S. leader has faced in modern times , made all the more complicated by a president who has at times antagonized the protesters and is eager to take the fight to Biden .
“ This is a difficult time in America ’ s history , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And Donald Trump ’ s angry , divisive politics is no answer .
The country is crying out for leadership .
Leadership that can unite us .
Leadership that can bring us together.
” Biden spent 36 years in the Senate before becoming Barack Obama ’ s vice-president .
This is 77-year-old Biden ’ s third bid for the presidency and his success in capturing the Democratic nomination was driven by strong support from black voters .
He finished an embarrassing fourth place in the overwhelmingly white Iowa caucuses that kicked off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little better in the New Hampshire primary , where his standing was so low that he left the state before polls closed on election night to instead rally black voters in South Carolina .
His rebound began in the more diverse caucuses in Nevada but solidified in South Carolina , where Biden stomped Sanders , his nearest rival , by nearly 29 points .
He followed that with a dominant showing three days later during the Super Tuesday contests , taking 10 of the 14 states .
Biden ’ s strong showing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tennessee and Texas reinforced his status as the preferred Democratic candidate of African American voters — but the relationship has not been without its strained moments .
After a tense exchange with an influential black radio host , Biden took sharp criticism for suggesting that African American voters still deciding between him and Trump “ ain ’ t black.
” That comment , and protests that have spread nationwide , have increased pressure on Biden to pick an African American running mate .
He has already committed to picking a woman as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely to back Trump over Biden by a wide margin .
A recent Fox News poll shows just 14 % of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favourable opinion of the president compared with 75 % who favourably view Biden .
But Biden must ensure that black voters are motivated to show up to the polls in November , especially in critical swing states that narrowly went for Trump in 2016 .
At one point , the Democratic primary included dozens of candidates of different races , genders and generations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest was dominated by debate over unapologetically progressive ideas , including fully government-funded health care under “ Medicare for All ” and a sweeping proposal to combat climate change known as the “ Green New Deal.
” Biden prevailed by mostly offering more moderate approaches that he argued would make him more electable against Trump .
He refused to budge on his rejection of universal health care and some of the Green New Deal ’ s most ambitious provisions to combat climate change .
Since clinching the nomination , however , Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , forming joint task forces with Sanders ’ campaign to find common ground on key issues like health care , the economy and the environment .
Biden has also embraced a plan to forgive millions of Americans ’ student debt , meaning that he clinches the nomination as easily the most liberal standard bearer the Democratic Party has ever had .
Biden ’ s embrace of his party ’ s left flank could help him consolidate a Democratic base that remained deeply divided after the 2016 primary and ultimately hurt Hillary Clinton in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could also undermine Biden ’ s attempts to rebuild the Obama coalition , which is often loosely defined as minorities and young people , as well as educated Americans and some working-class voters .
The former vice-president has sought , since announcing his candidacy , to cast the election as a battle “ for the soul of the nation , “ and promised to restore order and dignity to the White House while rehabilitating the U.S. image on the world stage .
Such an approach , though , necessarily focuses on being more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radically new political ideas .
And that further underscores Biden ’ s difficult task of trying to unite his party ’ s base while appealing to voters from far beyond it .
“ I am going to spend every day between now and November 3rd fighting to earn the votes of Americans all across this great country , ” Biden promised Friday , “ so that , together , we can win the battle for the soul of this nation , and make sure that as we rebuild our economy , everyone comes @ @ @

Stephen OhlemacHer And Will Weissert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Protests continue in NYC amid lingering tensions over curfew

NEW YORK - Demonstrations over the death of George Floyd continued in New York City on Saturday with thousands taking to the streets and parks to protest police brutality , as the city continued to enforce an 8 p.m. curfew that has created tensions between protesters and police .
At protests in Manhattan , volunteers handed out snacks , first aid kits and plenty of water bottles on a muggy afternoon .
One person carried a sign listing nearby open buildings for those seeking to escape the heat — which some soon did when a rain storm arrived .
Thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower Manhattan , where other groups numbering in the hundreds to thousands marched or gathered in places like Foley Square , home to state and federal court buildings , and Washington Square Park , in Greenwich Village .
Further uptown , police had erected barriers to all but close off Times Square to vehicle and foot traffic .
As the curfew passed , a large group of protesters walked onto the FDR Drive , the main north-south artery along Manhattan ’ s east side , closely monitored by police , forcing police to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roadway .
Earlier , Julian Arriola-Hennings said he didn ’ t expect the movement to slow down anytime soon .
“ I ’ m never surprised by people taking action because inaction , it really hurts the soul , ” he said as he told protesters at Washington Square Park that they would soon march from there to City Hall .
“ People ’ s feet get tired , their souls get re-energized for the right purpose.
” One of Saturday ’ s marches was enlivened by a band led by Jon Batiste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephen Colbert .
Local politicians and civil liberties advocates have called for an end to the 8 p.m. curfew , complaining that it causes needless friction when officers try to enforce it .
But Mayor Bill de Blasio has insisted the curfew will remain in place throughout the weekend .
Images on social media on Friday night about an hour after a Brooklyn protest ended showed officers surrounding a group of protesters and chasing down some with batons .
And officers on Manhattan ’ s East Side also used force to break up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayor ’ s official residence .
There were about 40 arrests citywide Friday — far fewer than previous nights — and no obvious signs of the smash-and-grab stealing that marred protests earlier in the week .
On Saturday , Antoinette Henry wasn ’ t surprised people were still marching after more than a week , even though she said she had seen violence from police earlier in the week .
“ Our first couple of protests ended a bit violently but we ’ re back out here .
We ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
She added she thinks protests could continue next week , even as some will go back to work when New York City begins its reopening .
“ I think as long as we stay organized , that ’ s exactly what can and will and should happen , ” Henry said .
Also on Saturday , police announced charges against a man who allegedly stabbed a police officer in the neck in Brooklyn on Wednesday night .
Twenty-year-old Dzenan Camovic has been hospitalized in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder of a police officer , robbery , assault of a police officer and a weapons charge


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Tropical Storm Cristobal advances toward US Gulf Coast

NEW ORLEANS - A re-energized Tropical Storm Cristobal advanced toward the U.S. Gulf Coast on Saturday , spawning a tornado in Florida and bringing the heavy rains that already caused flooding and mudslides in Mexico and Central America .
After weakening to a tropical depression while moving over land in Mexico ’ s Gulf coast , Cristobal headed back into the southern Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan Peninsula on Friday and powered back up into a tropical storm .
Forecasters said it would arrive on U.S. soil late Sunday but was not expected to grow into a hurricane .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the storm was expected to slowly strengthen until making landfall Sunday night along the U.S. Gulf Coast .
But the storm already made its presence felt Saturday evening , spawning a tornado that touched down near downtown Orlando , the National Weather Service said .
The twister just missed a group of protesters at Lake Eola at around 7:30 p.m .
There appeared to be no injuries , but tree limbs were knocked down , and there were reports of power outages .
“ Yes , it is related to the tropical storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Scott Kelly , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne , Florida .
“ But the tropical storm provided a lot of low level shear and that has allowed for some tornadoes to form over Central Florida.
” The threat for tornadoes would continue overnight , he said .
Also , outer rain bands from the storm were moving across parts of the Gulf Coast on Saturday evening .
Cristobal ’ s maximum sustained winds had strengthened to 50 mph ( 85 kph ) by early Saturday and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 kph ) .
As of Saturday evening , the storm was centred about 235 miles ( 380 kilometres ) south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River .
The Hurricane Center said the storm could cause heavy rains from East Texas to Florida this weekend and into early next week .
A tropical storm watch was posted for the northern Gulf of Mexico coast from Intracoastal City , Louisiana , to the Alabama-Florida border .
In Louisiana , Gov .
John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency to prepare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Now is the time to make your plans , which should include the traditional emergency items along with masks and hand sanitizer as we continue to battle the coronavirus pandemic , ” Edward said in a statement released Thursday .
On Friday , he asked President Donald Trump to declare a pre-landfall emergency for the state due to the storm ’ s threat .
“ We are confident that there will be widespread , heavy rainfall and coastal flooding , “ Edwards said in a letter to the White House .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures , evacuations , and sheltering for the high-risk areas .
The length of possible inundation is unknown and will likely require post-flood activities.
” Jefferson Parish , a suburb of New Orleans , called for voluntary evacuations Saturday of Jean Lafitte , Lower Lafitte , Crown Point and Barataria because of the threat of storm surge , high tides and heavy rain .
Residents were urged to move vehicles , boats and campers to higher ground .
“ We want to make sure residents are safe as this storm approaches so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be fully prepared , ” Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner Jr. told The Advocate .
A similar order was issued Saturday for several Plaquemines Parish communities , including Happy Jack , Grand Bayou , Myrtle Grove , Lake Hertiage , Harlem and Monsecour .
President Kirk Lepine said the order was issued as a precaution .
“ We need to ensure residents are protected as this storm draws near , so we are taking all the necessary precautions to be completely prepared , ” he said .
The hurricane centre ’ s forecast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ east side , far from where the centre comes ashore .
Still , the southwest part of the state is expected to get gusty winds , heavy rain , storm surge and possibly tornadoes as the storm moves closer to the coast .
“ Sunday will be very wet and windy as Cristobal passes west of the area , placing the central Gulf Coast on the ‘ dirty ’ eastern side of the storm , ” the weather service said .
Cristobal formed this week in the Bay of Campeche from the remnants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprung up last weekend in the eastern Pacific and hit Central America .
The two storms combined to soak the region with as much as 35 inches ( 89 centimetres ) of rain in some areas over the past week .
At least 30 deaths have been attributed to the two storms and the flooding and landslides they unleashed .
In Bacalar , in the south of Mexico ’ s Quintana Roo state , 230 families were isolated by the rains and had to be airlifted out , David Leon , Mexico ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leon added there had been light damage in 75 municipalities in seven states .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Philadelphia editor resigns over ‘Buildings Matter’ headline

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Inquirer ’ s top editor is resigning after an uproar over a headline lamenting damage to businesses amid turbulent protests denouncing police brutality against people of colour , the paper announced Saturday .
The newspaper said Stan Wischnowski , 58 , was stepping down as senior vice-president and executive editor .
The Inquirer had apologized for a “ horribly wrong ” decision to use the headline , “ Buildings Matter , Too , ” on a column Tuesday about looting and vandalism on the margins of protests of George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The backlash came as The New York Times was widely criticized for publishing an opinion piece by U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton advocating the use of federal troops to quell the protests .
About 30 members of the Inquirer ’ s 210-member editorial staff called in sick earlier this week , and black staff members angrily condemned the headline .
It appeared over an article by architecture critic Inga Saffron , who worried that buildings damaged in violence over the past week could “ leave a gaping hole in the heart of Philadelphia.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it replaced that headline online with one that read , “ Black Lives Matter .
Do Buildings ?
” Eventually , the newspaper settled on “ Damaging buildings disproportionately hurt the people protesters are trying to uplift.
” The Inquirer published an apology from senior editors .
Publisher and CEO Lisa Hughes said in a memo to staff that the headline was “ offensive and inappropriate ” and said the newspaper needed a more diverse workforce .
Wischnowski had worked at the Inquirer for 20 years and was editor when the paper won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an in-depth investigation into violence within Philadelphia schools .
He will formally leave the newspaper June 12 .
Hughes did not immediately name a successor .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Protesters flood streets in huge, peaceful push for change

WASHINGTON - Tens of thousands of protesters streamed into the nation ’ s capital and other major cities Saturday in another huge mobilization against police brutality and racial injustice , while George Floyd was remembered in his North Carolina hometown by mourners who waited hours for a glimpse of his golden coffin .
Wearing masks and calling for police reform , protesters peacefully marched across the U.S. and on four other continents , collectively producing perhaps the largest one-day mobilization since Floyd ’ s death 12 days ago at the hands of police in Minneapolis .
The dozens of demonstrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that swelled beyond anything the nation has seen in at least a generation .
After frequent episodes of violence following the black man ’ s death , the crowds in the U.S. shifted to a calmer tenor in recent days and authorities in many cities began lifting curfews because they experienced little unrest and no arrests .
On Saturday , authorities in some places seemed to take a lower profile and protests had a festive feel .
On a hot , humid day in Washington , throngs of protesters gathered at the Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbourhoods .
Some turned intersections into dance floors .
Tents offered snacks and water , tables with merchandise and even a snow cone station .
One Washington protester , Pamela Reynolds , said she was seeking greater accountability for police .
“ The laws are protecting them , ” said the 37-year-old African American teacher .
Among the changes she ’ s seeking is a federal ban on police chokeholds and a requirement for police to wear body cameras .
Many groups headed toward the White House , which has been fortified with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inside the presidential mansion , their chants and cheers could be heard in waves .
President Donald Trump , who ’ s ordered authorities to crack down on unrest , had no public events on his daily schedule .
The demonstrations extended to his golf resort in Doral , Florida , just outside Miami , where about 100 protesters gathered .
Elsewhere , the backdrops included some of the nation ’ s most famous cityscapes .
Peaceful marchers filed across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Brooklyn Bridge in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Hollywood and the street in downtown Nashville , Tennessee , famous for country music-themed bars and restaurants .
In Philadelphia and Chicago , marchers peacefully chanted , carried signs and occasionally knelt silently .
Protesters flooded the streets in a massive showing near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its famous “ Rocky ” steps , chanting “ No justice , no peace !
” before setting off for City Hall area .
Atop a parking garage in downtown Atlanta , a group of black college band alumni serenaded protesters with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earshot , black business owner Leah Aforkor Quaye said it was her first time hitting the streets .
“ This makes people so uncomfortable , but the only way things are happening is if we make people uncomfortable , ” Quaye said .
In Raeford , North Carolina , a small town near Floyd ’ s birthplace of Fayetteville , lined up outside a Free Will Baptist church , waiting to enter in small groups .
At a private memorial service , mourners sang along with a choir .
On display at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo of Floyd and a portrait of him adorned with an angel ’ s wings and halo .
“ It could have been me .
It could have been my brother , my father , any of my friends who are black , ” said Erik Carlos of Fayetteville .
“ It was a heavy hit , especially knowing that George Floyd was born near my hometown .
It made me feel very vulnerable at first.
” Protesters and their supporters in public office say they ’ re determined to turn the extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , notably overhauling policing policies .
Theresa Bland , 68 , a retired teacher and real estate agent protesting at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus , had a broader agenda in mind .
“ I ’ m looking at affordable housing , political justice , prison reform , the whole ball of wax , ” she said .
“ The world is so askew right now ... with people dying from the virus and people dying in prisons and people dying because there ’ s not enough food.
” Some tangible steps have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city officials have agreed to ban chokeholds and neck restraints by police and to require officers to try to stop any other officers they see using improper force .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered the state ’ s police-training program to stop teaching officers how to use a neck hold that blocks the flow of blood to the brain .
The police chief in Bellevue , across the water from Seattle , largely banned officers from using neck restraints , while police in Reno , Nevada ’ s second-largest city , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress are preparing a sweeping package of police reforms , which are expected to included changes to police-accountability laws , such as revising immunity provisions and creating a database of police use-of-force incidents .
Revamped training requirements are planned , too , among them a ban on chokeholds .
The prospects of reforms clearing a divided Congress are unclear .
Meanwhile in New York , two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault Saturday after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester , who fell backwards onto the pavement and was hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault and were released without bail .
The two were suspended without pay Friday after a TV crew captured the confrontation .
In London , thousands of demonstrators endured cold rain to gather in Parliament Square , a traditional venue for protests .
They knelt in silence and chanted Floyd ’ s name before applauding his memory and then starting a march .
Some clashes between protesters and police broke out near the offices of Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
In Paris , hundreds of people gathered at the Place de la Concorde @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large protests .
Members of the multiracial crowd chanted the name of Adama Traore , a black man whose death while in police custody a few years ago has been likened by critics of French police to Floyd ’ s death in Minnesota .
Police in the French port city of Marseille fired tear gas and pepper spray in skirmishes with protesters who hurled bottles and rocks .
Crary reported from New York and Foreman from Raeford , North Carolina .
Associated Press reporters from around the world around the U.S. contributed to @ @ @

Steven Sloan, David Crary And Tom Foreman Jr. - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Connecticut reports 17 new coronavirus deaths

HARTFORD , Conn. - Connecticut has reported 17 new coronavirus deaths , bringing its total to 4,055 , the governor announced Saturday as the state prepares for an accelerated reopening of businesses .
Gov .
Ned Lamont ’ s office announced Friday that a second phase of reopening , originally scheduled to begin for June 20 , will now happen on June 17 .
That is when movie theatres , tattoo parlours , spas , gyms , fitness studios , bowling alleys and amusement parks and nail salons will be allowed to open again and restaurants can resume indoor dining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of positive cases grew by more than 350 , to more than 43,800 .
For most people , the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness or lead to death .
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said Saturday that Connecticut campgrounds will reopen July 8 .
Reservations can be made beginning on June 20 .
Campers with recreational vehicles can keep reservations for dates starting with July 1 .
Campgrounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 8 .
Reservations before those dates will be refunded .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Zuckerberg-funded scientists: Rein in Trump on Facebook

BOSTON - Dozens of scientists doing research funded by Mark Zuckerberg say Facebook should not be letting President Donald Trump use of the social media platform to “ spread both misinformation and incendiary statements.
” The researchers , including 60 professors at leading U.S. research institutions , wrote a letter to the Facebook CEO on Saturday asking that he “ consider stricter policies on misinformation and incendiary language that harms people , “ especially during the current turmoil over racial injustice .
The letter calls the spread of “ deliberate misinformation and divisive language ” the researchers ’ goal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , improving childhood education and reform the criminal justice system .
The researchers ’ mission “ is antithetical to some of the stances that Facebook has been taking , so we ’ re encouraging them to be more on the side of truth and on the right side of history as we ’ ve said in the letter , ” said Debora Marks of Harvard Medical School , one of three professors who organized the letter .
The other organizers are Martin Kampmann of the University of California-San Francisco and Jason Shepherd of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grants from a Chan Zuckerberg Initiative program working to prevent , cure and treat neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer ’ s and Parkinson ’ s disease .
The initiative is run by Zuckerberg and his wife , Priscilla Chan .
They said the letter had more than 160 signatories .
Shepherd said about 10 % are employees of Chan Zuckerberg foundations .
The letter objects specifically to Zuckerberg ’ s decision not to at least flag as a violation of Facebook ’ s community standards Trump ’ s post that stated “ when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after unrest in Minneapolis over the videotaped killing of George Floyd , a black man , by a white police officer .
The letter ’ s authors called the post “ a clear statement of inciting violence.
” Twitter had both flagged and demoted a Trump tweet using the same language .
The Associated Press emailed the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative press office for comment .
It did not immediately respond .
Some Facebook employees have publicly objected to Zuckerberg ’ s refusal to take down or label misleading or incendiary posts by Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who controls a majority of voting shares in the company — has so far refused .
On Friday , Zuckerberg said in a post that he would review “ potential options for handling violating or partially-violating content aside from the binary leave-it-up or take-it-down decisions ” “ I know many of you think we should have labeled the President ’ s posts in some way last week , ” he wrote .
“ Our current policy is that if content is actually inciting violence , then the right mitigation is to take that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing it behind a flag .
There is no exception to this policy for politicians or newsworthiness .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Top U.S. military officer reaches out to Capitol Hill leaders

WASHINGTON—The U.S. ’ s top military officer , Gen. Mark Milley , spoke privately with congressional leaders and many other lawmakers as Pentagon officials came under fire for the military ’ s role in containing protests following the police killing of George Floyd .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , to express her concerns on Tuesday , according to two people who were not authorized to publicly discuss the private conversations and were granted anonymity .
That was the day after authorities cleared protesters near the White House so U.S. President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a nearby church .
Milley and Defence Secretary Mark Esper were sharply criticized for accompanying Trump and thereby giving the impression of endorsing a politicization of the military .
Milley also reached out Tuesday to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer , another person granted anonymity to discuss the situation said .
A third official said Milley had spoke with perhaps 20 or more members of Congress in the days following Monday ’ s photo op and Trump ’ s implicit threat to invoke the Insurrection Act to permit him to use federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s capital and in other cities .
The outreach comes as Milley and Esper have tried to contain damage in the aftermath of Monday ’ s walk with Trump .
Federal authorities used smoke canisters and pepper balls to clear peaceful protesters from a park so the president and his entourage could walk to the church and Trump could pose with a Bible .
Late Friday , Esper and Milley declined a request from Democrats to appear before the House armed services committee next week , although on Saturday the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still open .
“ This is unacceptable , ” Rep. Adam Smith , the committee chairman , said in a statement Friday , joined by the panel ’ s 30 Democrats .
“ Our military leaders are sworn to be accountable to the people of this country , and Congress is constitutionally responsible for oversight , ” the Democrats wrote .
“ They must appear and testify on these crucial matters in order to meet that responsibility.
” The Pentagon ’ s chief spokesman , Jonathan Rath Hoffman , said Saturday evening that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused ’ to testify.
” He said the Pentagon ’ s legislative affairs office “ remains in discussion with ” the committee on its request for appearances by Esper and Milley .
He said the army ’ s top civilian and uniformed officials , plus the head of the National Guard of Washington , D.C. , will brief Smith ’ s committee next week on the presence of the Guard in the capital .
An informal briefing Friday with the secretary of the army was cancelled , according to a congressional aide who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a matter that had not been publicly disclosed .
The White House has prohibited officials from the administration from testifying before the House unless they have cleared any appearances with the White House chief of staff .
The protests in Washington were among those across the U.S. following the death of Floyd , a Black man who died when a white police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes .
In the call with Milley , Pelosi raised a number of issues that were spelled out in a subsequent letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased militarization ” in response to the protests .
Schumer on Tuesday warned Milley and Esper , in a speech on the Senate floor , not to allow the U.S. military to engage in “ ugly stunts ” like the event the night before outside the White House .
Esper told reporters Wednesday he was not aware of the operation to clear the park and did not know he was heading into a photo op .
He also distanced himself from Trump ’ s threat to step up the military ’ s role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Insurrection Act .
Milley released a message this week to military leaders stating that the Constitution “ is founded on the essential principle that all men and women are born free and equal and should be treated with respect and dignity ” and that it “ also gives Americans the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
” The chairman of the Senate armed services committee , James Inhofe , defended Milley ’ s handling of the protest .
In his own Senate speech Tuesday morning , Inhofe said he wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after conferring with Milley before and after Monday ’ s events .
Inhofe said Milley “ told me that he intends to honour his oath and uphold the delicate balance between civilians and the military , and I fully believe him.
” In her letter to Trump on Thursday , Pelosi asked the president under what authority and chain of command the troops were operating in the nation ’ s capital , warning the approach “ may increase chaos.
” The House armed services committee members said they expect a briefing from the @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Thousands in Philadelphia march in protest of Floyd’s death

PHILADELPHIA - Thousands of people demanding justice for George Floyd flooded the streets of downtown Philadelphia on Saturday , chanting “ No justice , no peace !
” Demonstrators gathered near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its famous “ Rocky “ steps before setting off for the City Hall area , with the line of marchers stretching for several city blocks along the tree-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway .
The protesters circled City Hall , clapping and shouting , “ Black Lives Matter !
” as some residents of an apartment building held signs on their balconies reading “ BLM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the Philadelphia Inquirer reported .
To police officers and National Guard members , they chanted : “ What do we want ?
Justice !
When do we want it ?
Now !
” Qadir Sabur , 22 , handing out water and snacks and holding a sign that read “ Don ’ t just say Black Lives Matter , show us , ” said that in addition to opposition to police brutality , African Americans in the city should benefit from the same opportunities in jobs and education .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together today as one , ” he said , “ I ’ m seeing everyone coming together as one , “ he told the Inquirer .
By late afternoon , many protesters had left but others lingered around the Art Museum area or along the parkway .
Smaller demonstrations were held in other areas , including one by the African American Museum in Philadelphia near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell .
City officials earlier announced street closures , saying much of the city centre , from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A curfew will be in effect again overnight , from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. , during which time only people with essential duties are allowed out .
Smaller groups also marched in other cities around the state , including several hundred in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area .
Floyd , who was black , died on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck even as he pleaded for air and stopped moving .
His death has sparked protests over police treatment of African Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , authorities were searching for someone they said threw an improvised incendiary device at an officer last weekend , resulting in injuries to another officer .
Police said the device exploded on the ground near Mellon Square , causing a nearby officer “ to suffer concussion-like symptoms.
“ Robert Swartzwelder , president of Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge 1 , said the officer could have been “ permanently disfigured , if not killed “ if he had been hit by the device .
Authorities announced formation of a task force to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people amid largely peaceful protests “ who have attacked journalists , looted businesses , caused property damage and committed other crimes such as arson.
“


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Prosecutor: 2 Buffalo police charged with assault in shoving

BUFFALO , N.Y. - Two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault Saturday , prosecutors said , after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester in recent demonstrations over the death of George Floyd .
Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski , who surrendered Saturday morning , pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault .
They were released without bail .
McCabe , 32 , and Torgalski , 39 , “ crossed a line ” when they shoved the man down hard enough for him to fall backward and hit his head on the sidewalk , Erie County District Attorney John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling the victim “ a harmless 75-year-old man.
” The officers had been suspended without pay Friday after a TV crew captured the confrontation the night before .
If convicted of the felony assault charge , they face up to seven years in prison .
McCabe ’ s lawyer , Tom Burton , said after the arraignment that prosecutors didn ’ t have any grounds to bring felony charges .
He said his client is a decorated military veteran with a clean record as a police officer .
“ Nobody started out their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Burton said .
He added that if the victim had followed commands to back off , “ none of this would have happened.
” The footage shows the man , identified as longtime activist Martin Gugino , approaching a line of helmeted officers holding batons as they cleared demonstrators from Niagara Square around the time of an 8 p.m. curfew .
Two officers push Gugino backward , and he hits his head on the pavement .
Blood spills as officers walk past .
One officer leans down to check on the injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep walking .
The police officers “ knew this was bad , ” Flynn said of the video .
“ Look at their body language.
” The video of the encounter sparked outrage online as demonstrators take to cities across the country to protest racial injustice sparked by the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes .
“ I think there was criminal liability from what I saw on the video , ” Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think what the mayor did and the district attorney did was right , and I applaud them for acting as quickly as they did.
” “ What we saw was horrendous and disgusting , and I believe , illegal , ” he added .
But dozens of Buffalo police officers who were angered over their fellow officers ’ suspensions stepped down from the department ’ s crowd control unit Friday .
The resigning officers did not leave their jobs altogether .
A crowd of off-duty officers , firefighters and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a show of support for the accused officers and cheered when they were released .
“ It was tremendous , tremendous to see , ” John Evans , president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association , told WIVB-TV .
“ I just think it ’ s a strong indication of the outrage basically over this travesty.
” Flynn said he understood the concerns of officers who don ’ t feel they are being supported and pointed out that he ’ s also prosecuting protesters “ who have turned into agitators ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ There will be some who say that I ’ m choosing sides here , ” he said .
“ And I say that ’ s ridiculous .
I ’ m not on anyone ’ s side .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Malta takes in 400 migrants held on pleasure boats, for now

ROME - Malta agreed Saturday to take in some 400 migrants who had been held on chartered pleasure boats at sea pending negotiations with European Union countries to accept them .
The government said in a statement that it was still seeking agreements to relocate the migrants elsewhere in Europe .
But it said it decided to let them come ashore “ after the situation onboard the vessels became very difficult and commotions arose.
” The migrants have been living aboard four boats just outside Malta ’ s territorial waters , many for weeks , after being rescued from human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Malta chartered the pleasure boats after closing its ports due to the coronavirus emergency .
It said it had been waiting for other EU nations to step up to take them in .
This week , the Council of Europe ’ s commissioner for human rights called for the migrants to be immediately brought to shore , saying the situation at sea was unsustainable .
France has agreed to take in some migrants , but hasn ’ t said how many and has insisted it is up to the EU ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For years , migrants setting off from Libya have paid smugglers to ferry them to Europe .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--German police: Petty thief fled supermarket, forgot his son

BERLIN - Police in Germany say they had an easy time tracking down a petty thief , after he forgot @ @ @ @ @ scene of the crime .
Bautzen police said Saturday that the 29-year-old suspect ran off @ @ @ @ @ $ 5,65 ) worth of goods he was trying to steal triggered an alarm at @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said the man ’ s 8-year-old son was left behind “ and so @ @ @ @ @ ” The suspect , a German , also managed to fall over during his escape @ @ @ @ @ hospital , police said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Protests support Floyd, Black Lives Matter on 4 continents

BERLIN - Tens of thousands of people gathered Saturday in cities far from the United States to express anger over the death of George Floyd , a sign that the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality is resonating with wider calls to address racism from Australia to Europe .
In Berlin , where police said 15,000 people rallied on the German capital ’ s Alexander Square , protesters chanted Floyd ’ s name and held up placards with slogans such as “ Stop police brutality ” and “ I can ’ t breath.
” Floyd , a black man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed a knee on his neck even after he pleaded for air while handcuffed and stopped moving .
“ The killing and these violent physical things that have happened is only just the top of it , ” said Lloyd Lawson , 54 , who took part in the Berlin protest .
“ That ’ s why you ’ ve got to start right from the bottom , just like an iceberg.
” Some 20,000 people rallied in Munich , while thousands more took part in protests in Frankfurt and Cologne .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest ban — issued due to the coronavirus pandemic — and assembled within sight of the U.S. Embassy , kept back by imposing barriers and riot police .
Among the crowd in the French capital was Marie Djedje , 14 , a Parisian born on July 14 , the French national day .
“ I was born French , on the day when we celebrate our country .
But on a daily basis , I don ’ t feel that this country accepts me , ” she said , holding up a sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crime.
“ The teenager said that emerging from France ’ s virus lockdown and seeing officers on patrol again drove home how scared she is of the police and how she has steeled herself for a life of overcoming obstacles .
“ I know that because of my skin colour I ’ m starting out with a handicap , for example , if I want to get a flat or go to a top school , ” she said .
“ I know I ’ m going to have to fight twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m prepared.
” In central London , tens of thousands staged a rally outside Parliament Square , invoking Floyd ’ s memory as well as people who died during police encounters or indifference in Britain .
Some protesters ignored thickening rain clouds and later headed toward the U.K. Home Office , which oversees law enforcement and immigration , and to the U.S. Embassy .
Many dropped to one knee and raised their fists in the air outside the gleaming embassy building south of the River Thames .
There were chants of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Color is not a crime.
” The majority of those marching wore masks and other face coverings , and appeared to make an effort to adhere to social distancing guidelines by walking in small groups .
An estimated 15,000 people gathered in the heart of Manchester , England , while 2,000 people joined in a demonstration in the Welsh capital of Cardiff .
Andrew Francis , 37 , a black man from London , said there ’ s “ a lot of frustration due to racial discrimination , and we want change for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children ’ s to be able to have equality within the U.K , the U.S. , all around the world.
” Francis , who wore a face covering , said he wasn ’ t worried about the coronavirus and said the fight for racial equality was “ more important ” to him .
Floyd ’ s death has sparked significant protests across the United States , but it has also struck a chord with minorities protesting discrimination elsewhere , including demonstrators in Sydney and Brisbane who highlighted indigenous Australians who died in custody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the the country ’ s adult population , but 27 % of the prison population .
They are also the most disadvantaged ethnic minority in Australia and have higher-than-average rates of infant mortality and poor health , as well as shorter life expectancies and lower levels of education and employment than other Australians .
In South Korea ’ s capital , Seoul , protesters gathered for a second straight day to denounce Floyd ’ s death .
Wearing masks and black shirts , dozens of demonstrators marched through a commercial district amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ George Floyd Rest in Peace ” and “ Koreans for Black Lives Matter.
” In Senegal , people staged a protest in front of the African Renaissance Monument in the capital of Dakar , holding placards with slogans such as “ Enough is enough.
” Chris Trabot , who works for Paris City Hall , said George Floyd ’ s death last week triggered his decision to demonstrate Saturday for the first time in his life .
Born in the French territory of Martinique , Trabot said he first experienced racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family to mainland France and got in frequent fights with white kids who mocked his skin colour .
Recently , his 9-year-old daughter has told him of being a target of racism , too , with schoolmates mocking her hair .
Adele Letamba , a 39-year-old consultant protesting in Paris , put it bluntly : “ The death of George Floyd was the spark that spread across the world.
” In Tel Aviv , thousands of protesters joined a Jewish-Arab rally against the Israeli government ’ s plans to annex parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wore masks , but social distancing measures were not strictly maintained as some demonstrators formed small groups .
Police initially sought to block the rally , but later allowed it to take place .
Protesters in Israel also demonstrated against what they see as excessive violence by Israeli police against Palestinians .
One protester held a poster showing George Floyd and Eyad Halak , a Palestinian with autism who was killed last week by Israeli police officers after apparently being mistaken as an attacker .
While the demonstrations were largely peaceful , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police removed an apparent counter-protester carrying a sign reading , “ White Lives , Black Lives , All Lives Matter.
” In London , police and protesters clashed at the end of a rally near the offices of Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
Objects were thrown at police wearing protective gear and video shared on social media appeared to show a horse bolting amid the clashes , unseating a police officer as he hit traffic lights .
A video from Berlin , also shared on social media , showed several police with dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer .
Anja Dierschke , a spokeswoman for Berlin police , said the incident happened some time after the protest ended and officers had ordered a group of people , some of whom were throwing bottles at passers-by , to disperse .
Associated Press journalists Rick Rycroft in Sydney , Dennis Passa and John Pye in Brisbane , Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul , South Korea , John Leicester in Paris , Pan Pylas in London , Shlomo Mor in Tel Aviv and Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report .

John Leicester And Frank Jordans - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Iran ready to hand over black box from Ukraine jet incident, state-run news agency reports

Iran has completed its probe into the shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger jet and is ready to hand over @ @ @ @ @ box for further investigation , the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ the black box for reading by a third country or company , although that may @ @ @ @ @ process of the investigation , ” Mohsen Baharvand , the foreign ministry ’ s deputy @ @ @ @ @ , said in an interview with IRNA on Saturday .
In January , Iran said @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 after mistaking it for a cruise missile , killing all @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Coronavirus disrupts global fight to save endangered species

WASHINGTON - Biologist Carlos Ruiz has spent a quarter-century working to save golden lion tamarins , the charismatic long-maned monkeys native to Brazil ’ s Atlantic Forest .
Thanks to painstaking reforestation efforts , the population of these endangered monkeys was steadily growing until an outbreak of yellow fever hit Brazil in 2018 , wiping out a third of the tamarins .
Undeterred , Ruiz ’ s team devised an ambitious new experiment : This spring , they would start vaccinating many of the remaining wild monkeys .
Enter the coronavirus , which is now hampering critical work to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , members of Ruiz ’ s team exposed to the virus had to be quarantined .
Then the government closed national parks and protected areas to both the public and researchers in mid-April , effectively barring scientists from the reserves where tamarins live .
“ We are worried about missing the window of opportunity to save the species , ” said Ruiz , the president of the non-profit Golden Lion Tamarin Association .
“ We hope that we ... can still do our work before a second wave of yellow fever hits.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they know that people intent on illegally exploiting the rainforests are still entering the parks , because several motion-activated research cameras have been smashed .
Around the world , government resources diverted to pandemic efforts have opened opportunities for illegal land clearing and poaching .
Lockdowns also have derailed the eco-tourism that funds many environmental projects , from South America ’ s rainforests to Africa ’ s savannahs .
“ Scientists and conservationists have faced interruptions from big global disasters before , like an earthquake or a coup in one country , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder of the non-profit Saving Nature .
“ But I can ’ t think of another time when almost every country on the planet has faced the impacts of the same big disaster at once.
” In Guatemala , indigenous communities that monitor rainforests are struggling to contain one of the worst fire seasons in two decades , as government firefighting resources are devoted to the pandemic .
“ Ninety-nine per cent of these fires are started by people , and it ’ s mostly done deliberately to open space for illegal cattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy director of an alliance of community organizations within Guatemala ’ s Maya Biosphere Reserve called Asociación de Comunidades Forestales de Petén .
Indigenous people are stepping up as volunteer firefighters , but they are now doubly strained : Closed borders have shriveled their income from sustainably harvested forest exports , such as palm fronds sold for flower arrangements .
“ Tropical forests are rich in biodiversity , so we ’ re losing rare flora and fauna , ” said Jeremy Radachowsky , director for Mesoamerica at the non-profit Wildlife Conservation Society .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , but reduced enforcement of environmental laws is a common concern.
” In Nepal , forest-related crimes like illegal logging have more than doubled since lockdowns began , including in five parks with endangered Bengal tigers , according to the government and World Wildlife Fund .
In many African countries , wildlife tourism provides significant income to maintain parks where vulnerable species such as elephants , lions , rhinos and giraffes live .
But after the coronavirus struck , “ the entire international tourism sector basically closed down overnight in March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of non-profit African Parks , which manages 17 national parks and protected areas in 11 countries .
“ We saw that $ 7.5 million was suddenly wiped off our income statement for the year , ” he said , adding that ecotourism next year may recover to only about half of previous levels .
While keeping up essential maintenance and ranger patrols to dissuade potential poachers , Fearnhead ’ s team is cutting travel costs by holding meetings over Zoom and also reaching out to potential international donors .
“ A protected area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be lost , ” he said .
Jennifer Goetz , co-founder of a website that provides information about ethical travel packages , said many safari operators in Africa hope to sustain some revenue and are urging clients to reschedule their bookings .
In a poll of operators on the Your African Safari site , nearly two-thirds said the majority of their bookings had been postponed , not cancelled .
Tropical biologist Patricia Wright notes that conservation isn ’ t work that can be simply dropped for a while and then picked up again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationships with people and local communities.
” Wright is a primatologist at Stony Brook University who has spent three decades building a program to study and protect Madagascar ’ s lemurs — big-eyed primates that live in the wild only on the island .
Her team expects no tourism revenue — a large chunk of its operating budget — through at least the end of the year , although she ’ s keen to keep her more than 100 staffers employed during difficult times .
For now , the plan is to produce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sell to tour operators and schools looking for online science content .
“ We have to get through this year , ” she said .
Associated Press writer Aniruddha Ghosal contributed from New Delhi .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--OPEC, allied nations extend nearly 10M barrel cut by a month

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - OPEC and allied nations agreed Saturday to extend a production cut of nearly 10 million barrels of oil a day through the end of July , hoping to encourage stability in energy markets hard hit by the coronavirus-induced global economic crisis .
Ministers of the cartel and outside nations led by Russia met via video conference to adopt the measure , aimed at cutting the excess production depressing prices as global aviation remains largely grounded due to the pandemic .
The curbed output represents some 10 % of the world ’ s overall supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market , even as a number of nations ease virus-related lockdowns , and enforcing compliance remains thorny .
Algerian Oil Minister Mohamed Arkab , the current OPEC president , warned meeting attendees that the global oil inventory would soar to 1.5 billion barrels by the mid-point of this year .
“ Despite the progress to date , we can not afford to rest on our laurels , ” Arkab said .
“ The challenges we face remain daunting.
” That was a message echoed by Saudi Oil Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make it where we are today.
” He said he remained shocked by the day in April when U.S. oil futures plunged below zero .
“ There are encouraging signs we are over the worst , ” he said .
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak similarly called April “ the worst month in history ” for the global oil market .
The decision came in a unanimous vote , Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei of the United Arab Emirates wrote on Twitter .
He called it “ a courageous decision.
” But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production cut that was deep enough “ to keep prices from going so low that it creates global financial risk but not enough to make prices very high , which would be a burden to consumers in a recessionary time , ” said Amy Myers Jaffe , senior fellow at the Council for Foreign Relations .
“ There is so much uncertainty that I think they took a conservative approach , “ she said .
“ You don ’ t know how much production is going to come back on .
You don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to happen with demand .
You don ’ t know if there ’ s going to be a second ( pandemic ) wave.
” Jaffe said improved oil demand in China and Asia and a gradual stabilization of demand in the United States and to some extent Europe , where there ’ s some cautious economic reopening , were encouraging for producers .
OPEC has 13 member states and is largely dominated by oil-rich Saudi Arabia .
The additional countries involved part in the so-called OPEC Plus accord have been led by Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ López Obrador playing a considerable role at the last minute in the initial agreement .
Crude oil prices have been gaining in recent days , in part on hopes OPEC would continue the cut .
International benchmark Brent crude traded Saturday at over $ 42 a barrel .
Brent had crashed below $ 20 a barrel in April .
Earlier this year , when demand was down , Saudi Arabia was flooding the market with crude oil , helping to send prices down to record lows .
That prompted the U.S. government in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting involved in OPEC ’ s negotiations , pressuring members of the cartel to agree to cuts to help end the oil price free-fall .
At the time , President Donald Trump said the U.S. would help take on some of the cuts that Mexico was unwilling to make .
And perhaps more importantly , a group of U.S. senators upset over the impact on U.S. shale production said at the time that they had drafted legislation which would remove American forces , including Patriot Missile batteries , from Saudi Arabia .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and allied countries were to cut nearly 10 million barrels per day until July , then 8 million barrels per day through the end of the year , and 6 million a day for 16 months beginning in 2021 .
In a rambling Rose Garden speech on Friday , Trump took credit for the April deal .
“ People said that wasn ’ t possible but we got Saudi Arabia , Russia and others to cut back substantially , ” he said .
“ We appreciate that very much.
” U.S. Energy Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the extension , which he said comes “ at a pivotal time as oil demand continues to recover and economies reopen around the world.
” However , some countries have been producing beyond quotas set by the deal .
One was Iraq , which remains decimated after a years-long war against the Islamic State group .
Iraq Oil Ministry spokesman Assem Jihad said in a statement that Baghdad had “ renewed its full commitment ” to the OPEC Plus deal .
Analysts had expected only a one-month extension given the still fluctuating level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is great , countries like Russia will want to produce more oil , so they probably won ’ t want to get locked into a longer-term deal that may not help them , ” said Jacques Rousseau , managing director at Clearview Energy Partners .
In a research note , Clearview also said Saturday that the producers group “ appears to be going to great lengths to keep the deal together despite unequal compliance ” — trying to avoid public fights on the issue .
“ That solution might work today , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing reports of rising Libyan output and the end of production cuts from Mexico that will heighten the need for compliance .
Major production cuts are simply untenable for countries such as Iraq , Oman and Ecuador , whose economies depend nearly exclusively on petroleum income , as they could face debt default .
Bajak reported from Boston .
Associated Press writer Cathy Bussewitz in New York contributed to this report .

Jon Gambrell And Frank Bajak - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Pandemic makes for a lonely D-Day observance in Normandy

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER , France - At daybreak on Saturday , Charles Shay stood lonesome without any fellow veteran on the very same beach where he waded ashore 76 years ago , part of one of the most epic battles in military history that came to be known as D-Day and turned the tide of World War II .
Compared to last year , when many tens of thousands came to the northern French beaches of Normandy to cheer the dwindling number of veterans and celebrate three-quarters of a century of liberation from Nazi oppression , the coronavirus lockdown turned this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eeriest ever .
“ I am very sad now , “ said Shay , who was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach under horrific machine-gun fire and shells .
“ Because of the virus , nobody can be here .
I would like to see more of us here , ” he told The Associated Press .
Normally , 95-year-old Shay would be meeting other survivors of the 1944 battle and celebrating with locals and dignitaries alike , all not far from his home close to the beaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , I am one of the very few that is probably here , “ he said , adding that other U.S. veterans could not fly in because of the pandemic .
When a full moon disappeared over land and the sun rose the other side over the English Channel , there was no customary rumble of columns of vintage jeep and trucks to be heard , roads still so deserted hare sat alongside them .
Still the French would not let this day slip by unnoticed , such is their attachment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Britain , Canada and other countries who spilled their blood to free foreign beaches and fight on to finally defeat Nazism almost one year later .
“ It ’ s a June 6 unlike any other , “ said Philippe Laillier , the mayor of Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer , who staged a small remembrance around the Omaha Beach monument .
“ But still we had to do something .
We had to mark it.
” The moment the sun broke over the ocean , the Omaha Beach theme from the film “ Saving Private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few dozen locals and visitors dressed in vintage clothing .
The pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world , infecting 6.6 million people , killing over 391,000 and devastating economies .
It poses a particular threat to the elderly — like the surviving D-Day veterans who are in their late nineties or older .
It has also affected the younger generations who turn out every year to mark the occasion .
Most have been barred from travelling to the windswept coasts of Normandy .
The lack of a big international crowd was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flyover of French fighter jets leaving a trail of the national colours was reminiscent of the one U.S. President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron watched from Colleville last year .
This time , though , only a sparse crowd craned necks upward .
At the American cemetery on a bluff overseeing Omaha Beach , Shay went to pay his respects to over 9,000 servicemen , and again was the lone U.S. veteran at an intimate ceremony .
President Harry Truman ’ s quote , “ America will never forget their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cemetery ’ s Orientation Pavilion .
With Americans unable to come over to Normandy this year , the French proved to be trustworthy alternates in fulfilling Truman ’ s vow .
Ivan Thierry , 62 , a local fisherman who catches sea bass around the wrecks that still litter the seabed nearby , was holding an American flag in tribute even before dawn .
“ There is not nobody here .
Even if we are only a dozen , we are here to commemorate , “ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Anchorage adds more restrictions on out-of-state travellers

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has signed an emergency order Friday implementing more stringent coronavirus-related restrictions on out-of-state travellers compared to state regulations .
Travellers from outside Alaska are now able to avoid a statewide mandatory 14-day quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19 but the city of Anchorage has imposed additional regulations that limit some visitors ’ interactions with residents , the Anchorage Daily News reported .
Under the current state mandate , out-of-state travellers will need to show proof of their negative COVID-19 results upon arriving in Alaska .
Once in the state , travellers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days have passed , until they test negative again in a second test taken seven to 14 days after arrival or until they leave the state , whichever comes first .
Travellers can also get tested when they arrive in the state and quarantine at their own expense while awaiting the results .
They then must take a second test within seven to 14 days after arrival .
The new rules implemented by the municipality of Anchorage more clearly define what interactions are prohibited but it is unclear how the new policy might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out-of-state travellers arriving in Anchorage who took a COVID-19 test before arriving at the airport to board are not allowed to dine in at restaurants or access indoor facilities such as theatres , fitness centres or museums for 14 days and must wear face coverings if around people who are not members of their household .
They are allowed to order takeout or curbside delivery and recreate outdoors .
Travellers who get tested at the airport upon arrival in Alaska will need to fully self-quarantine until results are available .
Those who test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same city regulations .
City rules specify that if the results are negative , travellers must abide by the new policy for 14 days after arrival in Anchorage .
Anyone who tests positive will need to isolate at their own expense and won ’ t be allowed to travel until they ’ re cleared by state public health officials .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .
Anchorage city officials require anyone arriving in the city within 14 days of their arrival in the state to “ inform their hotel , rental lodging host , and/or roommates of their quarantine status or whether they are required to minimize in-person interactions , ” the order said .
“ Businesses may refuse to serve people who are in quarantine or minimal-interaction status .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-06--Egyptian doctor accused of removing genitals of 3 girls

CAIRO - A doctor and a father of three girls will be tried in an Egyptian criminal court after the doctor allegedly surgically removed the girls ’ genitalia , a rights lawyer said Saturday .
Reda el-Danbouki , executive director of the Women ’ s Center for Guidance and Legal Awareness in Cairo , said the female genital mutilations took place last week in the district of Juhaynah in Sohag province , 390 kilometres ( 244 miles ) south of the capital Cairo .
He said the father took his three daughters , ages 8 , 9 and 11 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be vaccinated against the coronavirus .
Instead , the girls awoke from anesthesia to find that their genitals had been removed .
The girls told their mother , who is divorced from the girls ’ father , and she reported the incident to police .
Police then arrested the father and the doctor , el-Danbouki said .
The public prosecutor ’ s office in a statement last week accused the father and the doctor of carrying out the mutilations after a forensic analysis confirmed the practice had taken place .
El-Danbouki said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in prison , while the father faces up to eight years .
Since the mid-1990s , Egypt has been battling the centuries-old practice of female genital mutilation , also known as female circumcision , which is misguidedly believed to control women ’ s sexuality .
In 2008 , a law banning the removal of female genitalia was passed in Egypt ’ s parliament , despite strong opposition from conservative voices .
A 2015 government survey found that 87 % of Egyptian women between the ages of 15 and 49 have been circumcised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendments to the law , elevating the charge against suspects from a misdemeanour — in which offenders typically received up to two years in prison — to a felony , which draws tougher sentences and punishments .
Despite the changes , reports of girls bleeding to death following the procedure have made headlines in the Arab World ’ s most populous country .
In January , a 12-year-old girl died in the southern province of Assiut after her parents brought her to a doctor who performed the procedure on her .


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--Asia Today: India sees 10,000 new cases ahead of reopenings

NEW DELHI - India reported 9,971 new coronavirus cases on Sunday in another biggest single-day spike , a day before it prepares to reopen shopping malls , hotels and religious places after a 10-week lockdown .
India has now surpassed Spain as the fifth hardest-hit country , with more than 247,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus , including nearly 7,000 deaths .
New Delhi , Mumbai and Ahmedabad are among India ’ s worst-hit cities .
Six of the country ’ s 28 states account for 73 % of the total cases .
India has already partially restored train services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturing to reopen .
E-commerce companies have started to deliver goods , including those considered nonessential , to places outside containment zones .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — CHINA HAS FIRST LOCAL INFECTION IN WEEKS : China on Sunday reported its first non-imported case of the new coronavirus in two weeks , a 37-year-old woman who tested positive after arriving on the island of Hainan off the southern coast .
The National Health Commission said there were also five imported cases in the previous 24-hour period , bringing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 83,036 .
The woman came from Hubei province , the epicenter of the outbreak in China , and had tested negative two days before leaving for Hainan .
China has largely stopped the spread of the virus at home , though it continues to have occasional localized outbreaks .
It is on guard against imported cases as it begins to ease restrictions on flights and people arriving from abroad .
China ’ s official death toll from the virus is 4,634 .
— 57 NEW CASES IN SOUTH KOREA : South Korea reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , its second straight day with over 50 new infections .
The country has now confirmed 11,776 cases , including 273 deaths .
South Korea ’ s caseload peaked in late February and early March when it recorded hundreds of new cases each day .
But the outbreak has significantly eased amid aggressive tracing , testing and treatment , prompting authorities to loosen strict social distancing rules .
The new cases in recent weeks have been linked to nightclubs , an e-commerce warehouse , church gatherings and door-to-door sellers in the Seoul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MORE RESTRICTIONS : Malaysians will be allowed to travel interstate , get their hair cut at salons and visit street markets beginning Wednesday , when more coronavirus lockdown restrictions are lifted .
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Sunday that more economic sectors will reopen , schools and religious activities will gradually resume , and people can travel for domestic holidays after nearly three months of lockdown .
But he said certain prohibitions will remain as the country enters a “ recovery ” phase until the end of August.Malaysia has confirmed just over 8,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
— AUSTRALIA HOPES NO INFECTION FROM RALLIES : Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said he hopes the Black Lives Matter rallies across the country on Saturday that broke COVID-19 social distancing rules will not lead to a new wave of infections .
More than 20,000 people marched in Sydney and crowds rallied in Melbourne , Brisbane , Adelaide and some regional cities and towns despite public health warnings .
“ We don ’ t know whether people will be infected , ” Hunt told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the midst of a crowd like that , that can have a catastrophic impact.
” Australia has had over 7,250 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 102 deaths .
— CHINESE PLAYERS SUSPENDED : The Chinese Football Association says six members of the national under-19 squad have been suspended for six months for violating coronavirus control measures by leaving training camp at midnight to go drinking .
“ It was a severe violation of the team ’ s epidemic control regulations , and caused negative impacts on the whole team , ” the CFA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xinhua News Agency .
The six players will have to sit out all matches through Nov. 30 .
They also face further punishment from their respective clubs .
Players in China have no official organization to represent their interests and it wasn ’ t clear if there was any way to appeal the ban .
Follow AP news coverage of the pandemic at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--‘A long time coming’: Iconic Lee statue to be removed

RICHMOND , Va. - David Harris Jr. , a nephew of humanitarian and tennis legend Arthur Ashe , tried for decades to get a street named after his uncle in Richmond , the hometown that once denied Ashe access to segregated public tennis courts .
Finally , in 2019 , the City Council approved the renaming over the objections of some city residents .
So it was gratifying , Harris said , to see Virginia ’ s governor announce plans to remove an iconic statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee after days of protests over the death of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them for getting this done , “ Harris said Friday .
“ It took me 25 years to get the street name changed .
I commend these young folks for getting these guys to see it within a week and a half.
” In recent days , amid an extraordinary outpouring of grief over Floyd ’ s death , Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam has pledged to remove the Lee statue , while city leaders have also committed to taking down the other four Confederate memorials along Richmond ’ s prestigious Monument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reshaping of how one of America ’ s most historic cities tells its story in its public spaces — and a rethinking of whom it glorifies .
“ It ’ s been a long time coming .
... We ’ ve tried marches , petitions , protests , going to city council “ to get the Confederate monuments removed , said Phil Wilayto , a longtime community organizer and activist with the Virginia Defenders for Freedom , Justice & Equality .
“ And it took what is in effect a mass uprising of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not acceptable.
” Republican lawmakers , Confederate heritage groups and a Monument Avenue preservation group have criticized the decisions .
Many have equated the monuments ’ removal to erasing history .
“ Attempts to eradicate instead of contextualizing history invariably fail , ” Senate GOP leaders said in a statement .
Floyd , a black man in Minneapolis , died after a white officer jammed his knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes as other officers watched .
Video captured Floyd ’ s arrest and final moments , and his death has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have vowed to turn into a sustained movement focused on addressing racial injustice .
The Richmond monument decisions , part of a wave of Confederate monument removals around the country , has stunned some observers in this former capital of the Confederacy , a place where even three years ago many residents said they considered removing the statues impractical , or nearly impossible due to a state law that protected war memorials .
The new Democratic majority at the General Assembly rewrote that law earlier this year , an effort led by black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 1 , giving Richmond and other localities around the state permission to do as they please .
The Lee statue , meanwhile , was on state property .
“ Yes , that statue has been there for a long time , ” Northam said Thursday .
“ But it was wrong then , and it is wrong now .
So we ’ re taking it down.
” The idea to erect a monument to Lee originated “ within hours ” of his death , according to a National Register of Historic Places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise money for the memorial dragged on for more than 15 years , and the selected site was a gift of a prominent Richmond businessman , the documents show .
The statue was the first of five Confederate monuments to be erected on Richmond ’ s Monument Avenue .
It was unveiled in May 1890 , at a time when the Civil War and Reconstruction were long over , and Jim Crow racial segregation laws were on the rise .
The statue arrived in Richmond in pieces from France , where it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help pull the pieces for more than a mile to what was then an empty field .
That field is now part of Monument Avenue , the city ’ s grandest boulevard and one that ’ s been visited over the years by dignitaries including then-British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Britain ’ s Queen Elizabeth .
To white citizens in the late 19th century , the statue of Lee , a Civil War hero and native Virginian , was a cause for celebration .
Some even saved pieces of the rope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But black citizens felt a deep-seated animosity toward the statue , seeing it as a glorification of slavery , the Civil War and their treatment as second-class citizens , said Julian Hayter , a historian and professor of leadership studies at the University of Richmond .
Today , the 21-foot ( 6-meter ) bronze equestrian sculpture that shows the general in military attire sits atop a 40-foot ( 12-meter ) pedestal on whose side is featured a single word : “ Lee.
” Northam emphasized the monument ’ s enormous size in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six stories tall , it towers over homes , businesses and “ everyone who lives in Virginia.
” “ And when it ’ s the biggest thing around , it sends a clear message : ‘ This is what we value the most.
’ But that ’ s just not true anymore , ” he said .
Joseph Rogers , a descendant of enslaved people and an organizer with the Defenders who spoke with AP this week from a rally at the Lee monument , said he felt he was witnessing history when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also said the moment felt like “ a fulfilment of prophecy , ” a reference to words written by the black editor of the Richmond Planet newspaper who covered the unveiling of the Lee memorial .
“ ( The black man ) put up the Lee Monument , and should the time come , will be there to take it down , ” John Mitchell Jr. wrote .
Elsewhere on the broad avenue are statues to Confederate President Jefferson Davis , generals J.E.B .
Stuart and Thomas “ Stonewall ” Jackson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced this week that he and a city councilman would introduce an ordinance removing the statues , and the Richmond Times-Dispatch has reported the city council has unanimously affirmed support for such a move .
Dr. Fergie Reid , who grew up in segregated Richmond and in 1967 became the first African American elected to the Virginia General Assembly since Reconstruction , called the monuments ’ removal “ long overdue.
” But Reid , 95 , said he thinks they still have historical value .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like the dinosaurs , ” he said .

Sarah Rankin And Denise Lavoie - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--New York City curfew lifts early following peaceful protests

New York City is lifting its curfew spurred by protests against police brutality ahead of schedule , Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Sunday morning .
The 8 p.m. citywide curfew , New York ’ s first in decades , had been 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 .
“ Yesterday and last night we saw the very best of our city , ” de Blasio tweeted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end “ effective immediately.
” “ Tomorrow we take the first big step to restart.
” The move followed New York City police pulling back on enforcing the curfew Saturday as thousands took to the streets and parks to protest police brutality , sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
More than two hours after the curfew had passed Saturday night , groups of several hundred demonstrators continued to march in Manhattan and Brooklyn , while police monitored them but took a hands-off approach .
Local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an end to the 8 p.m. curfew , complaining that it causes needless friction when officers try to enforce it .
But de Blasio had initially insisted the curfew would remain in place throughout the weekend .
At protests in Manhattan earlier Saturday , volunteers handed out snacks , first aid kits and plenty of water bottles on a muggy afternoon .
One person carried a sign listing nearby open buildings for those seeking to escape the heat — which some soon did when a rain storm arrived .
Thousands of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where other groups numbering in the hundreds to thousands marched or gathered in places like Foley Square , home to state and federal court buildings , and Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village .
Further uptown , police had erected barriers to all but close off Times Square to vehicle and foot traffic .
As the curfew passed , a large group of protesters walked onto the FDR Drive , the main north-south artery along Manhattan ’ s east side , closely monitored by police , forcing police to temporarily shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Julian Arriola-Hennings said he didn ’ t expect the movement to slow down anytime soon .
“ I ’ m never surprised by people taking action because inaction , it really hurts the soul , ” he said as he told protesters at Washington Square Park that they would soon march from there to City Hall .
“ People ’ s feet get tired , their souls get re-energized for the right purpose.
” One of Saturday ’ s marches was enlivened by a band led by Jon Batiste , bandleader on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Images on social media on Friday night about an hour after a Brooklyn protest ended showed officers surrounding a group of protesters and chasing down some with batons .
And officers on Manhattan ’ s East Side also used force to break up remnants of a march that started near the mayor ’ s official residence .
There were about 40 arrests citywide Friday — far fewer than previous nights — and no obvious signs of the smash-and-grab stealing that marred protests earlier in the week .
On Saturday , Antoinette Henry wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after more than a week , even though she said she had seen violence from police earlier in the week .
“ Our first couple of protests ended a bit violently but we ’ re back out here .
We ’ re not going to stop fighting , ” Henry said .
She added she thinks protests could continue next week , even as some will go back to work when New York City begins its reopening .
“ I think as long as we stay organized , that ’ s exactly what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Henry said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-07--Largely peaceful protests against police brutality march on

WASHINGTON - Massive protests against police brutality nationwide capped a week that began in chaos but ended with largely peaceful expressions that organizers hope will sustain their movement .
Saturday ’ s marches featured few reports of problems in scenes that were more often festive than tense .
Authorities were not quick to release crowd size estimates , but it was clear tens of thousands of people — and perhaps hundreds of thousands — turned out nationally .
Wearing masks and urging fundamental change , protesters gathered in dozens of places from coast to coast while mourners in North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coffin carrying the body of native son George Floyd , the black man whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police has galvanized the expanding movement .
Collectively , it was perhaps the largest one-day mobilization since Floyd died May 25 and came as many cities lifted curfews imposed following initial spasms of arson , assaults and smash-and-grab raids on businesses .
Authorities have softened restrictions as the number of arrests plummeted .
Demonstrations also reached four other continents , ending in clashes in London and Marseille , France .
In the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pepper spray to disperse protesters hurling rocks , bottles and what authorities said were “ improvised explosives ” that had injured officers , just a day after city leaders temporarily banned one kind of tear gas .
Around midnight in Portland , a firework was thrown over the fence at the Justice Center , injuring a Multnomah County deputy , Portland police Lt. Tina Jones said .
Smith said police had declare an unlawful assembly and were making arrests .
The largest U.S. demonstration appeared to be in Washington , where protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hot , humid day , they gathered at the Capitol , on the National Mall and in neighbourhoods .
Some turned intersections into dance floors .
Tents offered snacks and water .
Pamela Reynolds said she came seeking greater police accountability .
“ The laws are protecting them , ” said the 37-year-old African American teacher .
The changes she wants include a federal ban on police chokeholds and a requirement that officers wear body cameras .
At the White House , which was fortified with new fencing and extra security measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waves .
President Donald Trump , who has urged authorities to crack down on unrest , downplayed the demonstration , tweeting : “ Much smaller crowd in D.C. than anticipated.
“ Elsewhere , the backdrops included some of the nation ’ s most famous landmarks .
Peaceful marchers mingled with motorists as they crossed the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco .
Cars had been cleared from the Brooklyn Bridge as protesters streamed into Manhattan on a day that New York police relaxed enforcement of a curfew that has led to confrontations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curfew announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday morning .
They walked the boulevards of Hollywood and a Nashville , Tennessee , street famous for country music-themed bars and restaurants .
Many protesters wore masks — a reminder of the danger that the protests could exacerbate the spread of the coronavirus .
Roderick Sweeney , who is black , said the large turnout of white protesters waving signs that said “ Black Lives Matter ” in San Francisco sent a powerful message .
“ We ’ ve had discussions in our family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change until our white brothers and sisters voice their opinion , ” said Sweeney , 49 .
A large crowd of Seattle medical workers , many in lab coats and scrubs , marched to City Hall , holding signs reading , “ Police violence and racism are a public health emergency ” and “ Nurses kneel with you , not on you ” — a reference to how a white officer pressed his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes .
Atop a parking garage in downtown Atlanta , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters with a tuba-heavy mix of tunes .
Standing within earshot , business owner Leah Aforkor Quaye said it was her first time hitting the streets .
“ This makes people so uncomfortable , but the only way things are happening is if we make people uncomfortable , ” said Quaye , who is black .
In Raeford , North Carolina , a town near Floyd ’ s birthplace , people lined up outside a Free Will Baptist church , waiting to enter in small groups .
At a private memorial service , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A large photo of Floyd and a portrait of him adorned with an angel ’ s wings and halo were displayed at the front of the chapel .
“ It could have been me .
It could have been my brother , my father , any of my friends who are black , ” said Erik Carlos of nearby Fayetteville .
“ It made me feel very vulnerable at first.
” Floyd ’ s body will go to Houston , where he lived before Minneapolis , for another memorial in the coming days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office say they ’ re determined to turn the outpouring into change , notably overhauling policing policies .
Many marchers urged officials to “ defund the police.
“ Theresa Bland , 68 , a retired teacher and real estate agent protesting at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus , envisioned a broader agenda .
“ I ’ m looking at affordable housing , political justice , prison reform , ” she said .
Congressional Democrats are preparing a sweeping package of police reforms , which is expected to include changes to immunity provisions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revamped training requirements are planned , too — among them , a ban on chokeholds .
The prospects of reforms clearing a divided Congress are unclear .
Back in North Carolina , the Rev .
Christopher Stackhouse recounted the circumstances of Floyd ’ s death for the congregation .
“ It took 8 minutes and 46 seconds for him to die , “ Stackhouse said at the memorial service .
” But it took 401 years to put the system in place so nothing would happen.
” Pritchard reported from Los Angeles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press staff from around the world contributed to this report , including Jeff Chiu in San Francisco ; Jill Colvin in Washington ; Jeff Amy in Atlanta ; Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus , Ohio ; Bobby Caina Calvan in Tallahassee , Florida ; John Leicester in Paris ; and David Crary and Brian Mahoney in New York .

Steven Sloan, Justin Pritchard And Tom Foreman Jr. - The Associated Press