thetorontostar--2020-06-05--NYC calmer as Buffalo police draw ire for protester injury

NEW YORK - The latest night of protests in New York City sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police was markedly calmer , while video of a police officer appearing to shove an elderly protester who falls and cracks his head in Buffalo drew widespread condemnation .
Video from WFBO showed a Buffalo police officer appearing to push the 75-year-old man who walked up to police clearing Niagara Square around the 8 p.m. curfew Thursday .
The man falls straight backward and hits his head on the pavement , with blood leaking out as officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viral on social media , spurring outrage .
Buffalo police initially said in a statement that a person “ was injured when he tripped & fell , ” WIVB-TV reported , but Capt .
Jeff Rinaldo later told the TV station that an internal affairs investigation was opened .
The police commissioner subsequently suspended two police officers without pay , Mayor Byron Brown said in a statement .
The mayor of the western New York city , who expressed he was “ deeply disturbed ” by the video , said the unidentified man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition at a hospital .
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz tweeted Friday morning that a hospital official said the man was “ alert and oriented.
” New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo endorsed the officers ’ suspensions , tweeting that what was seen on video was “ wholly unjustified and utterly disgraceful.
” The office of State Attorney General Letitia James tweeted that they were aware of the video .
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer called for an investigation , according to a statement reported by WIVB-TV .
“ The casual cruelty demonstrated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unacceptable , “ John Curr , the Buffalo chapter director for the New York Civil Liberties Union , said in a statement , adding that it should be a “ wake-up call ” for city leaders to address police violence .
Calls and emails to Buffalo police from The Associated Press seeking comment Thursday night hadn ’ t been returned by Friday morning .
Meanwhile in New York City , protesters again stayed on the streets past 8 p.m. , in defiance of the citywide curfew that ’ s set to remain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the tenor of the protests set off by the death of Floyd , a black man who died Memorial Day after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck , moved from explosive anger to a quiet yet forceful call for more to be done to address racial injustice .
The switch was largely mirrored in New York , which saw fewer violent clashes than in days past .
But several videos posted to Twitter on Thursday night showed police aggressively confronting peaceful protesters — often resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere .
In other places , police watched but didn ’ t immediately move in , or made orderly arrests without the batons and riot gear of previous nights .
Miguel Fernandes said there were “ a lot more nights to go ” of marching .
“ We ’ re still waiting for a conviction .
We still haven ’ t gotten it , “ Fernandes said .
“ All they ’ re doing is putting in charges .
The system is not doing anything to make these guys pay for what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service featuring Floyd ’ s brother Terrence Floyd was held at Brooklyn ’ s Cadman Plaza , where the night before police had used batons and pepper spray on protesters who remained after curfew , videos show .
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo , both Democrats , said they hadn ’ t seen the widely shared videos , but Cuomo later tweeted that he was asking James to investigate as part of her ongoing look into police tactics during the protests .
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea has defended his officers and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
De Blasio was booed and heckled at Floyd ’ s memorial , where even some speakers took shots at the mayor , criticizing his management of the NYPD and response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The mayor had previously praised the police for using “ a lot of restraint ” overall , but added that “ if there ’ s anything that needs to reviewed , it will be.
” Shortly after midnight , the mayor tweeted that he had spoken to Shea after seeing a video of a delivery worker arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de Blasio said , adding in a second tweet that journalists covering protests , too , were essential workers .
De Blasio had previous condemned police for roughing up journalists , including two from the AP who were shoved , cursed at and told to go home by officers Tuesday night .
“ Will get NYPD to fix this immediately , ” he tweeted Thursday .
Both Cuomo and de Blasio have said protesters should abide by the curfew to deter the violence , vandalism and destruction that followed protests Sunday and Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cries of “ George Floyd ” and “ No justice , no peace ” continued to ring out from crowds , even as they shrank .
“ It ’ s energetic , ” Kenyata Taylor said .
“ It ’ s great to be alive , it ’ s history right now.
” AP journalists Jim Mustian , Jennifer Peltz , Michael R. Sisak , Karen Matthews , Deepti Hajela and Brian Mahoney in New York City and Marina Villeneuve in Albany contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--UN says eastern Congo fighting has killed 1,300 civilians

DAKAR , Senegal - Various conflicts involving armed groups and government forces in Congo have killed more than 1,300 civilians in the past eight months and violence has surged in recent weeks in eastern provinces , the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said Friday .
Michelle Bachelet said some incidents may amount to crimes against humanity or war crimes , with armed groups committing massacres and security forces also responsible for grave human rights violations .
“ I am appalled by the increase in brutal attacks on innocent civilians by armed groups , and by the reaction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also committed grave violations , including killings and sexual violence , “ she said .
“ These are not only reprehensible and criminal acts , but they also break the trust between people and the state representatives.
” The recent violence in Ituri province has also displaced more than 200,000 people , according to medical charity Doctors Without Borders .
Multiple armed groups have been present in Congo ’ s mineral-rich eastern provinces for decades , attacking civilians and fighting for control of the territory and its valuable resources .
The U.N. said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ituri province is known as CODECO and is comprised mainly of fighters from the Lendu community .
Its main leader was killed in March .
“ The attacks and the nature of the violence committed by the armed groups have grown increasingly more gruesome , including sexual violence , beheadings and mutilation of corpses , ” according to a statement by the U.N. Joint Human Rights Office of Congo .
Since October more than 531 civilians have been killed by armed groups in Ituri province , the U.N. said , including 375 since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main armed group known as the Allied Democratic Forces has been staging retaliatory attacks since the military launched major operations against it in November .
ADF rebels have abducted children , attacked schools and hospitals and used machetes , axes and heavy weapons , according to the U.N. A local rights group , the Center for the Promotion of Peace , Democracy and Human Rights , called on Congo ’ s government to reassess its operations after attacks by ADF and an Islamic State-linked group on several villages last month killed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights group , more than 627 civilians have been killed since Oct. 30 .
The U.N. on Friday called on Congolese authorities to establish state authority in conflict regions by increasing the presence of security forces and ensuring civilian protection .
“ When the state leaves a vacuum , others tend to fill it , ” the statement said .
The U.N. said more than 110,000 civilians also have been displaced in South Kivu province , where 74 people have been killed since October and at least 36 women and children have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That conflict between the Banyamulenge and the Bafuliro , Babembe , and Banyindu communities has been “ fuelled by hate speech disseminated through the media , social media and in public discourse , ” according to the U.N .
Soldiers have also been responsible for rights violations there , it said .
Doctors Without Borders this week called on international and national organizations to step up assistance in Ituri province .
It said children have been killed in the attacks , including a 15-month-old who was shot while strapped to his mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drodro on May 17 .
Health centres are also being targeted , with at least four attacked in May .
This is a major concern as neighbouring North Kivu province combats an Ebola outbreak and as COVID-19 spreads .
“ The violence is systematically targeting villages and health centres in order to prevent the people who fled from returning , ” said the organization ’ s field co-ordinator , Benjamin Courlet .
“ Some people are too terrified to go the health centres that are still functioning in the villages or in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bush , so we have set up mobile clinics to reach them there .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Floyd case restokes anger over French custody death

PARIS - Churning U.S. protests over the death of George Floyd have revived anger in France over police violence , systemic racism and the complicated case of Adama Traore , a black Frenchman who died in police custody in July 2016 .
For Traore ’ s family , the Floyd protests have also revived their hopes for change .
“ During the coronavirus , people had a pause in their lives .
They filmed scenes of police violence and they realized they were living in a country where there is violence every day against people of colour , ” his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over 20,000 people flouted a police ban and protested vociferously Tuesday in Paris to call for justice for both Traore and Floyd , and similar protests are planned around France this weekend .
“ As long as police aren ’ t convicted , we will keep coming out in the streets , ” Traore ’ s sister told The Associated Press .
Traore ’ s family believe three police officers piled on top of him and pinned him to the ground on his stomach after his arrest , and he asphyxiated .
Lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fault , and it remains unclear exactly at what moment , or where , he died .
Unlike with Floyd , there is no video or recording , which has made judging the case harder .
Four years later , no one has been charged .
French researchers have documented how police disproportionately target minorities for ID checks , and Traore ’ s supporters are not the only ones to accuse police of overstepping their authority .
Three days after Floyd died , another black man writhed on the tarmac of a Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a knee to his neck during an arrest , this time captured on video .
Outrage is growing .
But while in Paris some demonstrators clashed with police , Traore ’ s sister focused on the peaceful majority .
She encouraged those who “ have the luck not to be victims of this violence ” to denounce it .
“ Don ’ t remain spectators.
” After four years of back-and-forth autopsies and grassroots activism for her brother ’ s cause , she described the pain and power of seeing video of police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
“ These images that chilled the planet give the world an image of what happened to my brother , ” she said .
Traore ’ s family says the same thing happened to him , and that he , too , repeated : “ I can ’ t breathe.
” On that hot July night in 2016 , Adama Traore , a 24-year-old construction worker of Malian origin , was walking with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 kilometres north of Paris , where their large family grew up .
They were approached by plainclothes police officers who had identified Bagui in relation to another case , according to news reports at the time citing classified investigation documents .
Adama tried to run because he had no ID on him .
He was later detained by the three gendarmes , put in a police car and taken to a police station .
Within three hours of his arrest he was dead , according to the reports .
He was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved claimed they respected “ necessary use of force.
” Local authorities were accused of a coverup after claiming Traore suffered a heart attack linked to a pre-existing infection .
Local prosecuctor Yves Jannier was quoted by Le Monde at the time as saying that Traore “ fainted during the trip ” to the police station and emergency workers couldn ’ t revive him .
Jannier also said that Traore had a “ very serious ” infection that had “ impacted multiple organs.
” A second autopsy was completed shortly afterward that contradicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by asphyxiation .
Since then there have been multiple expert reports that disagree on the basic facts of the case .
Yet another expert report was released last week exonerating the police officers — but it was then quickly contradicted by another medical expert assessing the case on behalf of Traore ’ s family .
Last week ’ s medical report “ confirms that the death of Adama Traore is not linked with the conditions of his arrest , ” Rodolphe Bosselut , the gendarmes ’ lawyer , told the AP .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ three police officers “ have no responsibility ” in Traore ’ s death and that the causes were linked to pre-existing medical conditions , stress , hot weather and cannabis use .
Traore ’ s sister said three gendarmes weighing a total of 250 kilograms ( 550 pounds ) pressed on her brother , though there is no indication that police used the same technique as they did with Floyd .
She describes the official medical reports as obfuscation by a “ war machine ” of police , medical experts and a judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s former colonial empire living in low-income neighbourhoods on the periphery of French cities .
She has led the family ’ s fight for clarity and justice , and described going to schools and universities to raise awareness and donations and gradually learning from climate activists and other protest movements about how to make their voice heard .
This week , she said , she ’ s been in contact with Black Lives Matter activists in the U.S. and other countries .
“ The combat for Adama is for all the Adamas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are targeted by police , ” she said .
“ The police don ’ t have the right to decide if they live or die.
” Tuesday ’ s protest , she said , “ was just a foretaste ” of what ’ s to come .

Thomas Adamson And Angela Charlton - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Libya official: Tripoli units take key town with Turks’ help

CAIRO - Forces allied with the U.N.-supported government in Libya said Friday they retook another key western town from rival forces , another blow illustrating how Turkey ’ s support has reversed the tide of the war in the oil-rich country .
Mohamed Gnono , spokesman for the Tripoli-allied forces , said their Turkish-backed units entered the town of Tarhouna , 72 kilometres ( 45 miles ) southeast of Tripoli .
Tarhouna served as a main stronghold for commander Khalifa Hifter ’ s east-based forces in their campaign to capture Tripoli from the west-based Government of National Accord .
Hifter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armed Forces , launched his offensive in April last year .
The announcement of Tarhouna ’ s capture comes a day after the U.N.-supported but weak Tripoli government said it regained control of all of the capital ’ s entrance and exit points after taking back the airport , claiming the siege by rival troops trying to capture the city for over a year had effectively ended .
Turkey has boosted its support for the Tripoli militias in recent months , sending drones and other military hardware , along with thousands of Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to militant groups .
Turkish support enabled the Tripoli militias to take back almost all the towns and territories Hifter had taken control of since the beginning of his campaign .
A LAAF official said they left the town “ without fighting ” as part of a “ relocation ” of their forces out of the capital to support U.N. efforts to put an end to the conflict .
He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn ’ t authorized to brief the media .
The U.N. mission in Libya spoke with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it soon planned to speak with the Tripoli-based government .
Hifter ’ s forces are supported by France , Russia , Jordan , the United Arab Emirates and other key Arab countries .
Along with Turkey , the government in Tripoli is backed by Italy and Qatar .
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 when a civil war toppled long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi , who was later killed .
The country has since split between rival administrations in the east and the west , each backed by armed groups and foreign @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Australians rally for black lives, court bans bigger protest

CANBERRA , Australia - Thousands gathered in Canberra , Australia ’ s capital , on Friday to protest racial inequality in reaction to George Floyd ’ s death in the United States , while a court effectively banned a larger rally planned for Sydney because of the coronavirus threat .
The Canberra rally by about 2,000 people came ahead of larger rallies planned in Australia ’ s most populous cities on Saturday , with authorities concerned about maintaining social distancing .
Police on Friday successfully applied to the New South Wales state Supreme Court to declare that the Stop All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sydney on Saturday was not an authorized public assembly .
The rally was expected to attract 5,000 people to the Sydney Town Hall .
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the court ruling means “ all of the police powers available to us can be used ” to prevent the protest .
A state government and police also urged demonstrators not to attend a rally in Melbourne , Australia ’ s second largest city , because of the coronavirus risk .
In Canberra , Matilda House , an elder of the Ngambri-Ngunnawal family group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canberra region , said , “ Australians have to understand that what ’ s been going on the United States has been happening here for a long time.
” Australia needs to move beyond a colonial attitude “ that blacks are only here to be walked on , trodden on and murdered , ” House said in the first speech at the rally .
A demonstrator who interrupted House , arguing that the rally ’ s focus should be on “ what ’ s happening in the United States ” rather than Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down in a heated confrontation with several protesters .
The demonstrator eventually followed the crowd ’ s advice to leave .
The crowd was majority white in a majority white city .
Organizers handed out masks and hand sanitizer .
Most protesters attempted to keep the recommended 1.5 metres ( 5 feet ) of social distancing until the speeches began and people drew closer .
Public gatherings are limited to 20 people in Canberra , but police did not intervene .
One of the protesters , Wendy Brookman , a teacher and member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia should not accept more than 430 indigenous Australians dying in police custody or prison in the past three decades .
“ We ’ re not here to jump on the bandwagon of what ’ s happened in the United States , ” Brookman said .
“ We ’ re here to voice what ’ s happening to our indigenous people.
” One of the protesters ’ signs read “ I can ’ t breathe , ” a parallel between Floyd ’ s death in Minnesota on May 25 and the Australian indigenous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words of both Floyd and Aboriginal man David Dungay , who died in a prison hospital in 2015 while being restrained by five guards .
Dungay ’ s mother , Leetona Dungay , said she planned to march in Sydney on Saturday regardless of the Supreme Court ruling .
“ The correctional services officers and the doctors and nurses put my son under the ground , and I ’ m going to walk on it for my march , ” she said , her voice rising to a yell .
“ Just like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to stop .
We ’ re going to march .
We don ’ t care what any act of law tells us what to do .
Coz those acts of laws are killing us , “ she added .
Nigerian-born Oluwatobi Odusote , 16 , and her school friends Jan Usha , 17 , and Rhyse Morgan , 16 , held a red , black and yellow indigenous flag during the protest .
“ I thought that if America is taking a stand to save black lives , then we should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia , too , ” Odusote said .
Usha , who is of Nigerian and Asian background , described the rally as “ great ” because Australia rarely addresses racism through protest .
Morgan , who is of European heritage , said , “ if we ’ re all not equal , then no one benefits.
” Indigenous Australians are 2 % of the Australian adult population but 27 % of the prison population .
Australia ’ s indigenous people are the most disadvantaged ethnic minority in Australia .
They have higher-than-average rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as shorter life expectancy and lower levels of education and employment than other Australians .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Court rules against planned Sydney protest due to virus fear

SYDNEY , Australia - An Australian court sided with police in ruling Friday that a Black Lives Matter protest planned for Sydney poses too much risk for spreading the coronavirus and can not be held .
Thousands of people were expected to rally in Australia ’ s largest city on Saturday afternoon to honour George Floyd and to protest against the deaths of indigenous Australians in custody .
But New South Wales state Supreme Court Justice Des Fagan ruled the rally was not an authorized public assembly .
Fagan said he understood the rally was designed to coincide with similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t diminish the importance of the issues and no one would deny them in normal circumstances , ” he said .
“ No one denies them that but we ’ re talking about a situation of a health crisis.
” In Sydney , outdoor gatherings are restricted to 10 people , while up to 50 people can go to funerals , places of worship , restaurants , pubs and cafes .
State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said organizers initially proposed a protest far smaller rally .
She said protesters could not guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ All of us have given up so much and worked so hard to make sure we get on top of the virus , ” Berejiklian told reporters .
Earlier Friday , demonstrators in the capital reminded the country that racial inequality is not a U.S. issue alone .
Organizers of the Canberra rally that attracted about 2,000 demonstrators handed out masks and hand sanitizer .
Most protesters kept a recommended social distance but drew closer to hear speeches .
Public gatherings are limited to 20 in Canberra , but police did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the Butchulla indigenous people , said Australia should not accept that more than 430 indigenous Australians have died in police custody or prison in the past three decades .
“ We ’ re not here to jump on the bandwagon of what ’ s happened in the United States , ” Brookman said .
“ We ’ re here to voice what ’ s happening to our indigenous people.
” One of the protesters ’ signs read “ I can ’ t breathe “ and drew a parallel between Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 25 and the Australian indigenous experience .
Those words were among the last spoken by Floyd and an indigenous Australian , David Dungay , who died in a prison hospital in 2015 while being restrained by five guards .
In South Korea , dozens gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy to condemn what they described as police brutality toward protesters in the U.S .
They called for South Korea ’ s government to speak against the “ racial discrimination and state violence ” of its ally and pushed for an anti-discrimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , undocumented foreigners and other minorities .
“ As the U.S. civil society empowered and stood in solidarity with Korean pro-democracy activists in the past , we will now stand in solidarity with citizens in the United States , ” said activist Lee Sang-hyun , referring to South Koreans ’ bloody struggles against military dictatorships that ruled the country until the late 1980s .
Holding a banner that read “ Justice for Floyd , ” most of the protesters wore black and some brought flowers in honour of Floyd , who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his neck with a knee for several minutes while he pleaded for air .
Larger marches are planned in Seoul on Saturday to protest Floyd ’ s death .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Raw feelings abound as Senate turns back to Russia probe

WASHINGTON - Two Republican-led Senate committees have launched election-year investigations into the Justice Department ’ s Russia probe , resurrecting the issue at the urging of President Donald Trump while reigniting the partisan hostility that comes along with it .
In two committee rooms Thursday , tensions boiled as lawmakers considered a raft of subpoenas for current and former Justice Department officials .
With the country suffering through civil unrest over police brutality , mass unemployment and the coronavirus pandemic , Democrats and even some Republicans questioned whether looking back at the Russia investigations — now dating back more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority .
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was defiant , angrily stating that there are people “ who are real good candidates for going to jail “ in the Justice Department .
Rhode Island Democrat Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse countered that he was concerned that the panel was turning into “ political errand boys ” for Trump ’ s reelection .
As the senators bickered , Sen. Ben Sasse , R-Neb.
, burst out that “ it ’ s bullshit the way people grandstand for cameras in here ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do.
” Graham shot back : “ If you ’ ve got to go somewhere else , go.
” He later postponed the vote on more than 50 subpoenas , saying he would give people more time to talk .
In a Senate office building next door , the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved its own slate of three dozen subpoenas related to the Russia probe over strong Democratic objections .
The panel ’ s top Democrat , Michigan Sen. Gary Peters , dismissed it as an election-year defence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the panel voted to authorize the subpoena authority , two urged the committee ’ s chairman , Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson , to change course .
Speaking on the committee ’ s investigation , Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , told Johnson that “ I continue to be concerned that this is politically motivated ” even as he voted to move ahead .
“ The committee ’ s inquiry is not entirely without basis , but as you know , I believe there are far more urgent priorities that the committee should address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country from COVID-19 , the shattered economy , widespread protests against systemic racism , foreign cyberattacks — and the list goes on and on , ” Romney said .
Sen .
Rob Portman , R-Ohio , said he hopes the subpoenas won ’ t actually be issued , given the similar investigations underway and “ all of the other things we have on our plate right now.
” Graham and Johnson , both close allies of the president , announced their sweeping probes in recent weeks as Trump faced criticism on his handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has continued to rail against the Russia probe , which he calls a hoax .
Former special counsel Robert Mueller effectively brought the Russia investigation to a close with a report issued in April 2019 that detailed multiple contacts between Trump ’ s 2016 campaign and Russia and concluded that Russia interfered in the presidential election .
But he found insufficient evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy between the campaign and Russia .
Months later , an internal department report found multiple errors and key omissions in the applications the FBI submitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide in the early months of the investigation .
That ’ s where Republicans have turned their attention , launching investigations to find out what went wrong and whether Justice Department officials conspired against Trump .
“ You think I ’ m in Trump ’ s pocket .
I get all that , ” Graham said to the Democrats .
“ It ’ s not lost on me what you think .
And I ’ m sad because I like you all .
But to expect me to punt ?
Forget it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re not going to have a rule of law for Republicans , and a rule of law for Democrats , where it ’ s okay to turn the Republican nominee ’ s life upside down.
” Among the officials the Judiciary Committee might subpoena are former FBI Director James Comey , former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe , former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan .
The list also includes some current officials who deal with the investigation , including Attorney General William Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s committee is focusing on the origins of the probe during the 2016 election , much of it before it was turned over to Mueller .
Johnson ’ s panel , meanwhile , is looking at a list of Obama administration officials who Republicans say may have learned the identity of Michael Flynn , Trump ’ s incoming national security adviser , from intelligence reports in 2016 and 2017 .
Among the names on that list is Trump ’ s Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , who was vice-president when the Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” names in intelligence reports are routine , including during the Trump administration , which has requested them thousands of times .
The Judiciary panel , meanwhile , kicked off its Russia investigation on Wednesday by grilling former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein , who told lawmakers that he would not have approved an FBI surveillance application for former Trump campaign aide Carter Page had he known at the time about the problems it contained .
The comments were a striking concession that law enforcement officials made mistakes during the probe , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I do not consider the investigation to be corrupt , senator , but I certainly understand the president ’ s frustration given the outcome , which was in fact that there was no evidence of conspiracy between Trump campaign advisers and Russians , ” Rosenstein said .
Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report .

Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Officials: Police chief in Louisiana took $4k in seized cash

GRAYSON , La .
- A police chief in Louisiana has been accused of taking thousands of dollars seized by officers as evidence in different cases .
“ I won ’ t debate the validity of the charge , ” Grayson Police Chief Mitch Bratton said as he announced his own arrest in a Facebook post on Thursday .
Bratton said he “ wanted to be in full disclosure ” about the arrest , which he said came after he contacted “ an outside agency ” a few weeks ago about concerns he had “ with a town employee.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversees started after a complaint was filed about the missing money , according to the Louisiana State Police .
State investigators now allege Bratton took about $ 4,000 in two different cases and say the money was never documented as evidence , news outlets reported .
Bratton was booked into jail on two counts of obstruction of justice and one count of malfeasance in office .
Bratton said he ’ s co-operating with state investigators and doesn ’ t believe the charges should affect his position as chief .
“ I intend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while I let the criminal justice system work this issue out , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Lauding ‘force’ against protests, Sen. Cotton raises profile

WASHINGTON - Freshman Sen. Tom Cotton has risen to the ranks of potential 2024 Republican presidential contenders by making all the right enemies .
By lining up behind President Donald Trump ’ s law-and-order recipe for controlling civic unrest , he ’ s making even more .
“ One thing above all else will restore order to our streets : an overwhelming show of force to disperse , detain and ultimately deter lawbreakers , ” the 43-year-old Arkansan wrote this week in a New York Times opinion column .
That infuriated Democrats and liberals , whom he swiped at by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carnivals for the thrill-seeking rich as well as other criminal elements.
” For good measure , he tweeted Thursday that “ liberal arts professors ” won ’ t have to “ live with the consequences of chaos and destruction.
” Later Thursday , after the Times released a statement saying Cotton ’ s essay did not meet its standards , he accused it of “ surrendering to the mindless woke mob.
” Taciturn as he strides through Capitol hallways , seldom acknowledging reporters ’ questions , Cotton is known for tough stances on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters .
He ’ s been a hard-liner on immigration , Iran and most recently China , including accusing that country of developing the coronavirus in a secret lab .
He ’ s edged away from that charge but asserts he was among the first to warn of “ the looming pandemic.
” Cotton ’ s office declined to make him available for this article .
But a person close to him , who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the lawmaker ’ s thinking , said Cotton would consider serving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term if he ’ s reelected in November and running for president himself in 2024 .
An Army combat veteran and Harvard Law School graduate , Cotton ’ s ambition is no surprise in Washington or Arkansas .
Notice has been taken of his unusually high profile for a first-term senator and his frequent appearances on the network of choice for Trump and his followers .
“ Cotton is out there every night , and he ’ s winning the Fox GOP primary for 2024 , ” said Scott Reed , senior political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Everything he ’ s doing looks like what a very ambitious person who wants to run for president at the next available time does , ” said GOP consultant Liz Mair , who says she ’ s “ not a fan.
” Cotton was on Fox again Thursday , saying the outrage about his call for physically overpowering protesters “ exposes the hypocrisy of all these woke progressives ” who can ’ t tolerate opinions they don ’ t like .
And with some protests over police killings of black men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere , Cotton reprised his role as one of Trump ’ s chief defenders in Congress .
He disputed Defence Secretary Mark Esper ’ s comment that this week ’ s turbulence didn ’ t create an urgent need to use troops in cities , saying that was Trump ’ s call .
And to former Defence Secretary Jim Mattis ’ stunning assertion that Trump was dividing the country and violating the Constitution , Cotton said , “ He ’ s wrong on this one.
” None of that went over well with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that anyone , let alone a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee , would advocate for the use of military force to silence dissent , ” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. , a fellow member of that panel .
Representing a state that has turned increasingly Republican in recent years , Cotton faces reelection in November with no Democratic opponent .
He plans to use some time helping GOP Senate candidates including Bill Haggerty in Tennessee and Joni Ernst in Iowa , which holds each presidential cycle ’ s first caucuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year in Ohio — a swing state in presidential contests — Cotton tied together two foes : China and Trump ’ s all-but-certain Democratic presidential opponent , former Vice-President Joe Biden .
“ China is the greatest threat to America ’ s security and our values , ” the announcer says , accusing China of running concentration camps and stealing millions of American jobs .
“ Career politician Joe Biden is weak on China.
” As the spot ends , it shows a split screen of Cotton wearing his combat fatigues and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hat .
“ Senator Cotton is standing with President Trump to take on China and keep America great , ” the announcer says .
“ Sen .
Cotton has taken the Trump approach of playing to the fears and darkest , most negative things that appeal to Trump supporters , ” said Michael John Gray , chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party .
“ His ambition ’ s been bigger than Arkansas from the moment he sought a seat in the House.
” Cotton served six years in the Army in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq and being deployed to Afghanistan .
He also spent time in the Old Guard , whose tall , ramrod-straight members keep watch over the Tomb of Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington .
Cotton grew up on his family ’ s farm and attended Harvard University and its law school .
While a student there in 1996 , he wrote an article in the school ’ s paper , The Harvard Crimson , lauding the political skills of a fellow Arkansan : then-President Bill Clinton , whom he called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time.
” He also praised the intelligence of Hillary Clinton , later to become Trump ’ s vanquished Democratic presidential rival , saying Bill Clinton “ would have never made it past county commissioner ” without her .
But what Cotton described as Bill Clinton ’ s “ easy-going , affable ” style has not seemed to rub off on Cotton ’ s manner in the Washington .
“ He ’ s definitely accumulated the right national security and foreign policy experience to put him on track to run in 2024 , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultant and former top congressional aide .
He added : “ He ’ s not a backslapper .
He ’ s a really serious guy.
” Cotton served one House term before being elected to the Senate in 2014 , defeating Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor .
Within weeks of becoming a senator , he incensed Democrats .
He drafted an open letter to Iranian leaders , signed by 46 GOP colleagues , warning that a nuclear deal that President Barack Obama was seeking would not be binding and could be dismantled by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of that agreement in 2018 .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Elephant dies in India after eating explosive-stuffed fruit

NEW DELHI - Indian police on Friday arrested a man accused of causing the death of a pregnant elephant that died after biting a pineapple stuffed with firecrackers that exploded in its mouth .
The 15-year-old elephant was unable to eat after the injury and died in a river in Pallakad in southern Kerala state on May 27 , state forest officer Surendra Kumar said .
Details of the suspect were not immediately available .
The state forest department announced the arrest and said it is investigating whether he was a poacher or a farmer who wanted to kill the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Bait bombs ” made from food stuffed with explosives are common in India , particularly in southern states , and are used mostly to hunt wild boars for meat .
The elephant ’ s death caused an outrage among animal rights activists .
Maneka Gandhi , a former minister from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party , described the death as shocking and demanded a severe punishment for those responsible .
A shrinking habitat and a rise in the number of wild elephants in the past 15 years have led to hungry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage crops and attack residents .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Macron makes new call for Iran to release detained academic

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron has made a fresh call for Iran to immediately release a French-Iranian researcher .
@ @ @ @ @ one-year anniversary of Fariba Adelkhah ’ s arrest Friday , Macron said “ it is @ @ @ @ @ in prison.
” Adelkhah was sentenced in May to six years imprisonment on charges relating @ @ @ @ @ , a prisoner exchange was carried out between Iran and France , swapping researcher Roland @ @ @ @ @ .
But there has been little indication that Adelkhah will similarly be released .
Iranian @ @ @ @ @ that Adelkhah , a prominent anthropologist who often travelled to Iran for research on post-revolutionary @ @ @ @ @ arrested on espionage charges .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Deputies investigate cross burning on bridge in Alabama

TUSKEGEE , Ala. - Deputies in Alabama are investigating a cross burning after a wooden cross lit ablaze was found by drivers passing alongside a bridge .
The burning cross was first seen stationed on top of a bridge over Interstate 85 in Macon County Thursday night , Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson told WRBL-TV .
John Bolton , one of the people who saw the burning cross , told the news outlet what “ looked like a shadow ” fled from the scene as he ran toward the blaze with two other men who were with him .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guys climbed up to the bridge to knock the cross down , ” Bolton said .
A few minutes later , deputies arrived and helped extinguish the fire , Sheriff Brunson said .
Once the fire was gone , Bolton said they saw a tire and a fuel canister had also been set on fire .
Cross burnings have historically been used by racist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan to rally supporters and terrorize black people in the South and elsewhere .
So far , there are no suspects in @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Turkey’s Erdogan cancels surprise weekend curfew

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday cancelled a decision to impose a new , two-day weekend curfew in 15 of the country ’ s provinces that took many by surprise .
Erdogan said on Twitter that he was reversing the decision on grounds that it “ would have diverse social and economic consequences.
” He did not elaborate but the surprise decision to renew a weekend stay-at-home order , announced earlier on Friday , had caused confusion , with many people scrambling to cancel train or air tickets or other weekend travel plans .
Erdogan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in my heart to allow our citizens who started to re-organize their daily lives after a 2.5-month break , to suffer.
” He did , however , urge people to wear masks , abide by social distancing practices and maintain high levels of hygiene .
The Interior Ministry had announced the stay-at-home order in 15 provinces including Istanbul and Ankara even as the country lifted a raft of restrictions earlier in the week .
Domestic air travel resumed , restaurants began welcoming sit-in customers and beaches , swimming pools , parks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the virus ’ spread .
Alpay Azap , a member of Turkey ’ s scientific advisory body , said the new weekend curfew was announced because of an uptick in coronavirus cases in the southeastern cities of Gaziantep and Diyarbakir as well as some places on the Black Sea coast .
He also said that the caseload in Ankara has not decreased .
Fearing possible negative effects on the already troubled economy , the country has been imposing short weekend and holiday curfews , instead of total lockdowns .
It has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and minors from leaving home apart from certain days of the week .
Those restrictions remain in place .
Turkey plans to resume international flights with 40 countries in June , starting on June 10 with flights to and from Bahrain , Bulgaria , Qatar , Greece and the self-declared state in the north of Cyprus that is only recognized by Turkey .
The country has reported more than 167,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 4,630 deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--News agency: Iranian ship sinks in Iraqi waters, 1 dead

TEHRAN , Iran - The head of Iran ’ s maritime and ports association said Friday an Iranian cargo ship @ @ @ @ @ and at least one crew member was dead and two others missing , Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Nader Pasandeh told IRNA the cargo ship Behbahan embarked Tuesday for Umm Qasr @ @ @ @ @ southwest Iranian port city of Khorramshahr .
He said it sank Thursday night in Khor @ @ @ @ @ that separates Iraq from Kuwait .
Officials said it was not immediately clear why the @ @ @ @ @ crew of seven , went down .
Pasandeh said Iran was consulting with Iraq to @ @ @ @ @ to the scene .
He said the vessel was loaded with construction materials and ceramics @ @ @ @ @ the missing crew members is Iranian and one is Indian .
The Iraqi Transport Ministry @ @ @ @ @ the ship ’ s sinking was unknown and that four crew members were rescued and @ @ @ @ @ search was ongoing for remaining crew members .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--California mayor resigns over email about police killings

TEMECULA , Calif. - The mayor of a Southern California city resigned following an email in which he stated he didn ’ t “ believe there ’ s ever been a good person of colour killed by a police officer “ locally .
Temecula Mayor James Stewart had apologized Thursday for the email , saying he never meant to use the word “ good.
” He had said he is dyslexic and so used voice text to send his late-night Tuesday message but failed to notice the added word .
“ Unfortunately I did not take the time to proofread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not say that , “ Stewart told the Riverside Press-Enterprise on Thursday .
“ What I said is and I don ’ t believe there has ever been a person of colour murdered by police , on context to Temecula or Riverside County .
I absolutely did not say ‘ good.
’ I have no idea how that popped up.
” Stewart said he was replying to someone “ concerned about our police officers and their sensitivity training.
” The city issued a press release late Thursday announcing that Stewart , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was stepping down from his post and the city council , news outlets reported .
“ You have every right to be hurt and offended .
My typos and off-the-cuff response to an email on a serious topic added pain at a time where our community , and our country , is suffering , ” Stewart said in a statement .
“ I may not be the best writer and I sometimes misspeak , but I am not racist.
” He said he was resigning because he understood his “ sincerest apologies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial email came as cities around California were the scenes of large demonstrations over the death of George Floyd , a black man who died last week after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck .
Four police officers have been charged in his death .
Temecula , a city of about 115,000 southeast of Los Angeles , was one of the places where protests took place .
African Americans represent about 5 % of the city ’ s population while Riverside County is about 7 % black , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , black people account for nearly 18 % of the people who died in law enforcement custody in Riverside County between 2010 and 2018 , the Press-Enterprise reported , citing a state Department of Justice database .
Riverside County also was the site of the 1998 death of Tyisha Miller , who was killed by Riverside police as she sat in a car with a pistol in her lap .
Family members had called police because she appeared to be unconscious and in need of medical care .
Police said she appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they entered the car .
The shooting sparked demonstrations , and four officers were fired .
Stewart said he didn ’ t remember the shooting when he was composing his email message , which also said that “ racism is not excepted or tolerated “ in the city or surrounding areas .
“ I have several good friends who are African Americans , and they love living here because how safe it is for them and their families , ” the email said .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Mayor downplays rough police treatment of NYC protesters

NEW YORK - Another day of protests over the death of George Floyd brought more examples of New York City officials downplaying or denying the police department ’ s rough treatment of protesters — even when it was caught on video .
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday said he had personally seen “ no use of force around peaceful protests ” and cast doubt on people who had , belying social media posts and witness accounts of officers moving on demonstrators without provocation and bashing them with batons .
De Blasio made the comment in response to questions at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers aggressively breaking up a rally in the Bronx as the city ’ s 8 p.m. curfew kicked in Thursday , leading to scores of arrests and cries of brutality .
He said officers were using “ lots of restraint ” with protesters .
“ What an absolute disgrace .
This is just not true , “ City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer tweeted afterward .
” You are gaslighting an entire City.
” The department did later announce the suspensions without pay for two officers , in connection to two separate incidents from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one , on May 29 , a video clip showed an officer shoving a woman to the ground .
In the second , on May 30 , an officer was shown pulling a demonstrator ’ s mask down and spraying pepper spray .
Both cases have been referred for disciplinary action .
Protesters marched through the city again Friday by the thousands .
About three hundred people gathered in Union Square for a rally organized by medical professionals who have been battling the COVID-19 pandemic at its epicenter for the last three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read , “ You Clapped For Us , We Kneel For You , ” referring to the ritual clapping New Yorkers do each night at 7 p.m. to salute health care workers .
“ We want to redirect the respect that was given to us throughout the coronavirus pandemic and give that same respect to members of the community who are on the front lines fighting for social justice , ” said Hillary Duenas , one of the event organizers who works at Mount Sinai .
The violent flareups that characterized some demonstrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to peaceful affairs .
Looting that occurred on Sunday and Monday also appears to have ceased .
The tension now has occurred around the city ’ s 8 p.m. curfew , with police at some protests using force to enforce the order barring assemblies .
Donna Lieberman , executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union , said by “ wilfully ignoring the evidence ” of bystanders , reporters , observers , and peaceful protesters being brutalized in plain sight , the mayor is emboldening the police to cause more harm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor is delusional , “ Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said .
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said officers at the Bronx rally were acting on information that some in the crowd were plotting to destroy property and attack police , citing posters he said advertised the plan .
Shea said police recovered a gun , gasoline and other weapons at the event , adding that officers had done a “ phenomenal job the last couple of nights.
” Police made no mention of a gun or gasoline in a Friday night news release about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were arrested , mostly for violating curfew .
In a later update , police said that the gun arrest was about a mile from the rally and that three people at the rally site were picked up about two hours before curfew for having bottles filled with an unknown chemical agent .
Jake Offenhartz , a reporter for the news website Gothamist who was at the rally , challenged Shea ’ s account at Friday ’ s news briefing , saying what he saw firsthand “ is nothing like what you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed helmeted officers charging the vocal but non-violent crowd , pushing protesters back with bicycles and bloodying some with batons .
De Blasio was skeptical , saying unnamed observers from City Hall “ saw a very different reality than what you saw.
” The mayor , though , promised that all police misconduct allegations would be investigated .
He also chided officers for mistreating essential workers exempt from the curfew , such as food delivery workers and journalists .
Shea , who gave a fiery speech Thursday denouncing a wave of vicious attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re in the middle of something , you don ’ t get to see the big picture too.
“ On Friday evening , the department announced an arrest of two people in connection to a June 2 incident where a police officer was hit by an oncoming car , sending him flying into the street and leaving him in serious condition .
The police department ’ s treatment of peaceful protesters , amid smash-and-grab sprees and sporadic unrest , has come under fire as demonstrations stretch into a second weekend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 death in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed a knee into Floyd ’ s neck .
After officers were recorded Wednesday shoving and hitting peaceful protesters as they enforced the curfew , it was Gov .
Andrew Cuomo who doubted it happened , telling an Associated Press reporter that her question about the use of force was “ a little offensive ” and ” incendiary rhetoric.
” Cuomo backtracked after seeing the video and asked the state ’ s attorney general to probe that incident in her investigation into police misconduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said : “ No peaceful protestor deserves to be hit with a baton and no self-respecting police officer would defend that.
” Associated Press reporters Karen Matthews and Deepti Hajela in New York , and Marina Villeneuve in Albany contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Seattle mayor bans 1 type of tear gas amid protests

SEATTLE - The Seattle mayor has banned the police use of one form of tear gas as protests continue in the city and nationally over the killing of George Floyd .
Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a news conference Friday afternoon that the ban on CS gas would continue for 30 days .
The move came hours after three civilian police watchdog groups urged city leaders to do so to build public trust and until the department adopts policies and training for the use of the chemical agent .
Local health officials had also expressed concerns over the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the potential to increase COVID-19 spread .
“ After hearing concerns about the use of CS gas for crowd control purposes earlier this week ... we decided we were going to suspend its use for 30 days , ” Police Chief Carmen Best said .
During that time , the Community Police Commission , the Office of Police Accountability and the Office of Inspector General for Public Safety will review and update crowd control policies , including the use of pepper spray and deadly force techniques such as neck and choke holds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor added that the ban could be extended if groups need more time for policy review .
SWAT team members who are specially trained can continue to use tear gas in the meantime in what she called “ life safety ” situations and only under her authority , Best said .
Protests Wednesday and Thursday were among the largest Seattle has seen in years .
But authorities reported only minor problems following days of unrest in which police used tear gas and pepper spray and some people smashed windows and burned police vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were thrown at officers during protests Thursday night but officers showed restraint .
One officer was taken to a hospital for treatment after he was hit by an object , she added .
“ I think the last two days have shown that you can have very large demonstrations in two parts of the city and that they can be conducted in peace and without any confrontations with police , ” Durkan said .
Earlier this week , Durkan and Best ended a city-wide curfew ahead of schedule to address concerns raised by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest labour group also said this week it will expel the Seattle Police Officers Guild later this month unless the union admits that racism is a problem in law enforcement and agrees to address that problem in negotiating its next contract with the city .
The Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council passed a resolution Thursday as protests continue in Seattle and nationally over the killing of Floyd last week in Minneapolis .
The resolution attributes policing problems to systemic racism .
It called on the Seattle police union to acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of more than 150 unions and 100,000 workers that wields tremendous power in greater Seattle politics .
The labour council ’ s resolution Thursday specifically mentioned contracts between police and the city .
It said the police union must participate in an effort “ dedicated to promoting safety within our community and within law enforcement by addressing racism within SPOG … and ensuring that contracts do not evade legitimate accountability.
” Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan declined to comment Thursday to The Seattle Times .
In tweets Thursday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests and said officers and protesters are part of the same community “ and there are people with loved ones , frustrations and hope for the future on both sides of the line.
” Early Friday , Solan posted a video on Twitter set to dramatic music that shows “ Kill cops ” graffiti and a statement that says Floyd ’ s death is in opposition to everything the guild stands for .
Later in the video , Solan is heard telling KIRO radio of an officer who broke their ankle during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a faction of anarchists who are tragically stealing the peaceful protesters ’ message against police officers.
” “ I am fearful that this will spin out of control , ” is the last thing he says on the video .
It ends with the message , “ We ’ re with you Seattle.
” Floyd , a black man , died after a white police officer pressed his knee on his neck for almost nine minutes , not lifting it after Floyd stopped moving and pleading for air .
That officer and three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges in the death .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Demonstrators vow to sustain momentum until change happens

WASHINGTON - Protesters stirred by the death of George Floyd vowed Friday to turn an extraordinary outpouring of grief into a sustained movement as demonstrations shifted to a calmer , but no less determined focus on addressing racial injustice .
In Minneapolis , where Floyd died in police custody , the city agreed to ban police chokeholds and require officers to intervene any time they see unauthorized force by another officer .
The changes are part of a stipulation between the city and state officials who launched a civil rights investigation into Floyd ’ s death .
The City Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will be enforceable in court .
The country ’ s most significant demonstrations in a half-century — rivaling those during the civil rights and Vietnam War eras — resumed for an 11th day nationwide with continued momentum as the mood largely shifted from explosive anger to more peaceful calls for change .
Formal and impromptu memorials to Floyd stretched from Minneapolis to North Carolina , where family members will gather Saturday to mourn him , and beyond .
Josiah Roebuck , a university student who used social media to help gather 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburb , is confident the momentum will last .
“ Once you start , you ’ re going to see this every day , ” said Roebuck , who has attended multiple protests .
“ I just want minorities to be represented properly.
” Protests across the country had initially been marred by the setting of fires and smashing of windows , but Friday marked the third day of more subdued demonstrations .
At a heartfelt tribute to Floyd in Minneapolis on Thursday , the Rev .
Al Sharpton outlined plans for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vowing that the movement will “ change the whole system of justice.
” Floyd ’ s body was being taken to North Carolina , the state where he was born 46 years ago , for a public viewing and private service for family Saturday .
Then in Texas , where Floyd lived most of his life , services culminating in a private burial will take place Monday and Tuesday .
In Washington , city workers and volunteers painted “ Black Lives Matter ” in enormous yellow letters on the street leading to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of local leaders ’ embrace of the protest movement .
The mural stretched across 16th Street for two blocks , ending just before the church where President Donald Trump staged a photo-op earlier this week after federal officers forcibly cleared a peaceful demonstration to make way for the president and his entourage .
“ The section of 16th Street in front of the White House is now officially ‘ Black Lives Matter Plaza , ’ ” Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a tweet shortly after the mural was completed .
The project follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration over the response to protests over Floyd ’ s killing .
Still , the local chapter of Black Lives Matter took a swipe at Bowser on Twitter by saying the project distracts from their efforts to shift funds from local police to community investment .
Meanwhile , in a sign protesters ’ voices were being heard , more symbols of slavery and the Confederacy came down .
Mobile , Alabama , removed a statue of a Confederate naval officer after days of protests there , while Fredericksburg , Virginia , removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of efforts by the NAACP .
Community activists were working to convert anger and grief into long-term action .
Black Lives Matter Alliance Broward circulated a sign-up sheet at a Fort Lauderdale , Florida , protest that drew 1,500 names of people who want to stay involved .
The group followed up with each person this week suggesting simple actions such as emailing or calling to demand local change .
“ We are taking more of the strategy of : ‘ How do we actually invest people ’ s energy beyond protesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a community organizer .
“ We are thinking long term.
” This weekend , they were building a church altar with the names of victims killed by local police and having their family members speak .
On Monday , they plan a workshop to help people engage at the local level , including mobilizing in upcoming elections .
“ Every single day it ’ s growing from people who want to get more involved , who want to take more actions , so we ’ re going to be mobilizing those folks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizer Sam Martinez said regular meetings and a mailing list of about 5,000 has sustained the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar , formed after the 2015 shooting death of Jamar Clark during a struggle with two white officers .
“ We meet every week , because we know that ’ s what it takes , ” Martinez said .
Nakia Wallace , an organizer of protests in Detroit , said people were beginning to understand the movement ’ s power .
“ The world is watching , ” she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get people to collectively come out and make demands until those demands are met.
” Another Detroit organizer , Brian Silverstein , acknowledged that maintaining the pace of protests is demanding and said less visible efforts are also important .
“ We may not protest every day .
That is tiring , ” he said .
“ I woke up this morning and it felt like my calves were falling off .
A lot of our folks are elderly and can ’ t be out in the streets .
This movement is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are great , but we need to force the government to do the things we want them to do.
” For the past week in Richmond , Virginia , Austin Carroll , a 28-year-old musician , has spent six hours a day marching or protesting near a soaring statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee , which the governor agreed this week to remove .
Carroll , a member of Black Lives Matter , has strained his voice from yelling and his 6-year-old son , Levi , has blisters on his feet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to march every day until more changes come , including deescalation training for police .
“ I am tired .
My voice and legs are gone , ” Carroll said .
“ We ’ re resting right now , but we ’ ll be back out here marching tonight.
” Amy reported from Atlanta and Williams from Detroit .
AP journalists Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale , Florida ; Jeff Baenen and Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis ; Denise Lavoie in Richmond , Virginia ; Jonathan Drew in Durham , North Carolina , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spelling of Mayor Muriel Bowser ’ s last name has been corrected in the 10th paragraph .

Ben Fox, Corey Williams And Jeff Amy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--N.C. court: Death-row inmates can use repealed bias law

RALEIGH , N.C. - Most death row inmates in North Carolina can again use a law addressing racial discrimination to seek life sentences instead , even though the law was amended and later repealed , the state Supreme Court ruled on Friday .
The majority of justices agreed in a pair of cases that most of the 2012 alterations to the 2009 Racial Justice Act and the 2013 repeal can not be applied retroactively to two men convicted of first-degree murder .
The rulings also stand to revive potentially cases of more than 100 North Carolina prisoners who claim racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factor for their death sentence .
The legal opinion applies to any death-row inmate who sought relief originally while the 2009 law was in place , Associate Justice Anita Earls wrote .
“ Here the right is to challenge a sentence of death on the grounds that it was obtained in a proceeding tainted by racial discrimination , “ Earls wrote in one of the cases .
“ Repealing the ( Racial Justice Act ) took away that right , and the repeal can not be applied retroactively consistent with this state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws.
” Nearly all of the 150-plus inmates on death row when the 2009 law was in place — including white and black prisoners — filed for reviews under the Racial Justice Act .
Four inmates who initially saw their sentences reduced to life without parole using the legal process now remain on death row with the law ’ s repeal .
They have asked the justices to restore their reductions .
The justices didn ’ t release opinions Friday in those cases .
But Friday ’ s rulings involving inmates Andrew Ramseur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , likely will be encouraging to the other four .
Democrats who led the General Assembly when the Racial Justice Act was approved said the law was needed to address prosecutorial misconduct and efforts by district attorneys over the years to keep black residents off capital-case juries .
But Republicans who altered and then repealed the law said it was overbroad , particularly in the use of statewide statistics for racial bias .
Critics of the Racial Justice Act also said it was designed to extend a de facto moratorium on the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoners on death row , a majority of them black .
An execution hasn ’ t been carried out since 2006 .
That thread was suggested in a lengthy dissent by Associate Justice Paul Newby , the only registered Republican on the seven-member court .
“ The majority ’ s interpretation of the ( act ) cedes significant portions of the people ’ s authority over death penalty policy to the courts , ” Newby wrote .
“ This interpretation could be viewed as granting policymaking power to the judiciary to effectively eliminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newby was writing in the case of Ramseur , who was convicted in 2010 of first-degree murder for killing two people during an armed robbery at an Iredell County gas station .
He challenged his sentence , pointing out this trial was heard by an all-white jury during a time of racial tensions in the community .
Ramseur amended his request for relief when the Racial Justice Act was altered .
A judge dismissed his claims after the repeal .
Much of the legal arguments surrounded an 1869 state Supreme Court ruling involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amnesty law .
Earls , writing for six of the justices , said the repeal was unconstitutional to Ramseur because it “ increases the severity of the standard of punishment attached to the crime of first-degree murder ” and deprives him of a way to fight the punishment in court .
“ This decision is built on basic fairness , ” Don Beskind , a Duke University law professor involved in the litigation , said in a release .
“ The evidence in these death penalty cases was stark and undeniable .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to be heard in court.
” Newby countered that the Racial Justice Act did not change the punishment for first-degree murder , and that death-row inmates have other methods to seek sentencing relief from the courts .
Earls cited Ramseur in a shorter , separate opinion involving Burke , who was sent to death row in 1993 for what court documents show was the murder of a man who had testified against him in an earlier murder case .
Ramseur also was convicted by an all-white jury in Iredell County court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguments as a “ big black bull , “ according to a news release Friday from death penalty opponents .
The office of Attorney General Josh Stein , whose attorneys represented the state in the cases , was reviewing the decisions Friday , a spokesperson said .

Gary D. Robertson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Wichita State cancels Ivanka Trump’s speech to tech school

WICHITA , Kan. - A Kansas technical school cancelled plans for Ivanka Trump to give a virtual commencement speech to graduates because of criticism of President Donald Trump ’ s response to protests over the death of George Floyd .
Administrators at Wichita State University and WSU Tech announced the decision late Thursday , just hours after they had announced that the president ’ s daughter would be speaking to WSU Tech graduates .
Administrators of both universities , which are affiliated , said Saturday ’ s graduation for the technical university would be “ refocused ” on students , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaker .
Ivanka Trump visited WSU Tech ’ s National Center for Aviation Training last fall .
She responded in a tweet , saying , “ Our nation ’ s campuses should be bastions of free speech .
Cancel culture and viewpoint discrimination are antithetical to academia .
Listening to one another is important now more than ever !
“ The tweet included a link to YouTube video of her telling the students who finished their degrees amid a global pandemic , “ You are a wartime graduate , “ and that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this moment.
” The announcement that the president ’ s daughter would speak drew immediate criticism , led by Jennifer Ray , associate professor of photo media at Wichita State , who sent a letter asking school administrators to cancel the speech .
It circulated on social media and garnered 488 signatures from faculty , students and alumni before the speech was cancelled , The Wichita Eagle reported .
While noting that Wichita State does not have administrative control over WSU Tech , Ray said having Trump speak would taint both institutions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ since Floyd , who was black , died in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed a knee on his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
Ray wrote that President Trump has said he might use federal military troops to quell the U.S. demonstrations and has made his “ callous disregard ” for minorities well known , while refusing to criticize police tactics during the demonstrations .
“ We owe it to our students to stand up for the right thing when and where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To our students of colour , and to me , inviting Ivanka Trump to speak right now sends the message that WSU Tech does not take diversity seriously.
” In a separate statement , WSU Tech President Sheree Utash acknowledged that “ the timing of the announcement was insensitive ” and apologized .
Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Estes , who joined Ivanka Trump on the trip to the Wichita State facility , said in a statement that he was “ disappointed.
“ “ As Kansas faces many challenges recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ he said , “ now is the time for us to be working together .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Surfers ‘paddle out,’ circle up in memory of George Floyd

SANTA MONICA , Calif. - On a sliver of sand that before the Civil Rights era was derisively dubbed “ The Ink Well ” because of its popularity among black people , hundreds of surfers gathered Friday to honour the life of George Floyd and other African Americans killed by police .
The occasion was a paddle out , a Hawaiian tradition to celebrate a life and mourn its passing , organized by Black Girls Surf to share the pain they are feeling with devotees of a sport that has not always welcomed them .
“ This speaks so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about black girls surfing in the ocean , people are like , ” Ha , ha , you don ’ t surf , ’ ” Sayuri Blondt said .
“ But when you see everyone coming out to support us , it sends a message in a very unusual way and catches people ’ s attention.
” More than 200 surfers of all ages and races paddled through a set of crashing waves under cloudy skies to form a massive circle near the Santa Monica Pier , where they chanted Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine minutes prosecutors say his neck was pinned to the ground under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer .
They also sang “ Happy Birthday ” in memory of Breonna Taylor , who was shot in March by Louisville , Kentucky , police officers and would have turned 27 Friday , Panpan Wang , who had “ Black Lives Matter ” written in marker on his back and Floyd and Taylor ’ s names across his chest , said it emotional floating in the water while thinking of how they died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my body , feeling cold and trying to remember everybody and what their bodies went through , ” Wang said .
“ I just wanted to feel .
I ’ m trying to lean into the pain and suffering and not shy away from it.
” Giovanni Douresseau , who grew up in South LA and was nearly arrested his first time surfing after being mistaken as a criminal , told his fellow surfers that his heart broke at Floyd ’ s death .
Video of Floyd in handcuffs saying he couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had seen uncles and a brother treated by police .
“ We don ’ t just see George Floyd .
We see us , ” Douresseau told the crowd before they hit the water .
The event held at beaches around the world was organized by Rhonda Harper , who founded Black Girls Surf to help bring others like herself to the sport .
Surfing has not traditionally welcomed black people , and Harper , who dreamed of being a pro surfer at 15 , had no one to look to for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white surfer friends don ’ t understand her anguish when she posts about police killings on social media .
“ There ’ s a lack of awareness and empathy in the surf community when things like this happen , ” Harper said .
“ I have a lot of white surf friends who don ’ t get it or are so privileged that they don ’ t have to mourn the loss of a black life .
They ’ re talking about waves being beautiful and there being too much negativity in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia , Dakar , Senegal , and Galveston , Texas .
On a beach in Biarritz , France , surfers spelled the word unity with their surfboards .
At Huntington Beach , known as Surf City USA , south of LA , they grabbed daisies and sunflowers from buckets labeled unity , solidarity and peace to drop in the water .
A small group of kayakers in New Jersey held a moment of on the Hackensack River .
The Santa Monica event was held at a beach commemorated with a plaque noting its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could avoid racial harassment even after beaches were desegregated in 1927 .
It came less than a week after a protest over Floyd ’ s death a few blocks from the beach was overshadowed by damaging looting nearby .
“ We wanted to turn the tables on all that violence , ” Harper said .
“ It ’ s better than going into Patagonia and stealing surfboards .
It ’ s the opposite of what ’ s going on there .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Goodell says NFL was wrong for not listening to players

NEW YORK - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was wrong for not listening to players fighting for racial equality and encouraged them to peacefully protest .
One day after 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes and several of his peers released a video demanding the league condemn racism , Goodell made his strongest statement on the issues many players passionately support .
George Floyd ’ s death has ignited nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality , issues former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began speaking out against in 2016 when he started taking a knee during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a difficult time for our country .
In particular , black people in our country , ” Goodell said in a video released Friday .
“ First , my condolences to the families of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery and all the families who have endured police brutality .
We , the National Football League , condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people .
We , the National Football League , admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Football League , believe Black Lives Matter .
I personally protest with you and want to be part of the much needed change in this country .
“ Without black players , there would be no National Football League .
And the protests around the country are emblematic of the centuries of silence , inequality and oppression of black players , coaches , fans and staff .
We are listening .
I am listening , and I will be reaching out to players who have raised their voices and others on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a better and more united NFL family .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Minneapolis bans police chokeholds in wake of Floyd’s death

Minneapolis agreed Friday to ban chokeholds and neck restraints by police and to require officers to try to stop any other officers they see using improper force , in the first concrete steps to remake the city ’ s police force since George Floyd ’ s death .
The changes are part of a stipulation between the city and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights , which launched a civil rights investigation this week in response to the death of Floyd .
The City Council approved the agreement 12-0 .
Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said the changes are necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colour “ who have suffered generational pain and trauma as a result of systemic and institutional racism.
” “ This is just a start , “ Lucero said .
” There is a lot more work to do here , and that work must and will be done with speed and community engagement.
” Floyd ’ s death is prompting reexamination of police techniques elsewhere .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Friday ordered the state ’ s police training program to stop teaching officers how to use a neck hold that blocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The decision on whether to use the hold is up to each law enforcement agency , and Newsom said he will support legislation to outlaw the method .
The San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff ’ s Department are among the agencies that announced this week that they would stop using the hold , known as a carotid hold or sleeper hold .
“ We train techniques on strangleholds that put people ’ s lives at risk , ” Newsom said .
“ That has no place any longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis agreement requires court approval and would become enforceable in court , unlike the department ’ s current policies , which already cite the duty of sworn employees to stop or try to stop inappropriate force or force no longer needed .
The agreement would also require officers to immediately report to their superiors when they see use of any neck restraint or chokehold .
Floyd died after Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on the handcuffed black man ’ s neck , ignoring his “ I can ’ t breathe ” cries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving .
His death has set off protests around the world .
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder .
Three other officers are charged with aiding and abetting .
All have been fired .
Lucero said the changes go further than the department ’ s current policies .
Any officer who doesn ’ t try to stop the improper use of force would face the same discipline as if they had used improper force .
The agreement also would require authorization from the police chief or a deputy chief to use crowd control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullets and flash-bang grenades .
Such tactics have been used in Minneapolis and other cities in the past week to disperse protesters .
The stipulation also sets a process for the city and state to negotiate longer-term changes , such as changing state laws that make it difficult to fire problem officers .
Minneapolis police Chief Medaria Arradondo said in a statement that he “ will continue to work on efforts to improve public trust , public safety and transformational culture change ” of the poliice force .
“ I will be bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arradondo , whose statement did not provide details .
Meanwhile , a man who was with Floyd on the night he died told The New York Times that his longtime friend didn ’ t resist arrest and instead tried to defuse the situation before he ended up handcuffed on the ground .
Maurice Lester Hall was a passenger in Floyd ’ s car when police approached him May 25 as they responded to a call about someone using a forged bill at a shop .
Hall told the newspaper that Floyd was trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I could hear him pleading , ‘ Please , officer , what ’ s all this for ?
’ ” Hall told the Times .
Authorities say Hall , whose name is spelled Morries Lester Hall in court records , is a key witness in the state ’ s investigation into the four officers who apprehended Floyd .
Hall ’ s identity wasn ’ t made public until the Times ’ report .
Bruce Gordon , spokesman for the Department of Public Safety , said Hall initially gave a false name to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America ” that the situation escalated quickly and police grabbed Floyd , put him in a squad car , dragged him back out and then “ jumped on the back of the neck.
” He said Floyd was put in an ambulance and that he didn ’ t know his friend had died until the next day , when he saw bystander video on Facebook .
“ I ’ m going to always remember seeing the fear in Floyd ’ s face because he ’ s such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times .
“ That ’ s what sticks with me , seeing a grown man cry , before seeing a grown man die.
” Hall ’ s attorney , Ashlee McFarlane , told The Associated Press that Hall would not be doing any more interviews .
She declined further comment .
Associated Press writer Amy Forliti contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--California governor ends police training in ‘sleeper hold’

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Friday 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 and endorsed legislation that would ban the practice statewide .
It marked his first action on police use of force following more than a week of protests across the country over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Floyd died on Memorial Day after a police officer put his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for nearly nine minutes while he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Police experts have condemned the Minneapolis officer for using an unacceptable method .
However , many departments still employ the carotid method , also known as the sleeper hold , that critics say is overly dangerous .
It involves applying pressure to the sides of the neck with an arm , which can almost immediately block blood flow in the carotid arteries and render someone unconscious .
If the blood flow is restricted too long it can cause serious injury or even death .
Floyd ’ s death has prompted police departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city leaders in Minneapolis agreed to ban choke holds by police and require officers to immediately report to their superiors when they see use of any neck restraint .
In California , the San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff ’ s Department are among the agencies that announced this week they would stop using the carotid hold .
Newsom said Friday he has ordered the state Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to stop teaching the hold .
The commission provides curriculum for training more than 600 agencies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website .
But the decision on whether to allow officers to use the hold is up to each law enforcement agency .
“ We train techniques on strangleholds that put people ’ s lives at risk , “ Newsom said .
“ That has no place any longer in 21st-century practices and policing.
” Assemblyman Mike Gipson , a Democrat from Carson , has authored a bill in the state Legislature that would make carotid holds illegal .
Newsom said he would sign it into law if lawmakers pass it .
San Jose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still allows the carotid hold as a last option before lethal force .
He said officers are taught to apply pressure to the sides , rather than the front , of someone ’ s neck so it wouldn ’ t block their breathing .
“ If you take some of these control holds away , then you eliminate steps before you get to deadly force , ” he said .
Garcia said he understands Newsom is trying to instil greater public trust in police but chafed at the governor ’ s description of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll guarantee you that you will not find ‘ stranglehold ’ in any police department ’ s duty manual , ” he said .
Ronald Tyler , director of the Criminal Defence Clinic at Stanford University , said stopping the training will impact new recruits .
“ But I think the real pressure is going to be how quickly can the Legislature actually ban it outright , ” he said .
“ that ’ s what will lead to a sense among police officers that this increases your liability.
” Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful , but some erupted into violence that damaged businesses and injured police officers and protesters alike .
Police have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds .
That prompted Newsom to say he wants the Legislature to set standards for crowd control and police use of force in protests .
“ Protesters have the right to protest peacefully .
Protesters have the right to do so without being arrested , gassed , shot at by projectiles , ” Newsom said .
“ We need to standardize those approaches.
” Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits police use of lethal force to defending against an imminent threat of death or serious injury to officers or bystanders .
The old standard allowed officers to use lethal force if they had a “ reasonable fear , ” which made it rare for an officer to be charged or convicted .
That law was prompted by the 2018 fatal police shooting in Sacramento of Stephon Clark , who was black .
Newsom spent Wednesday cleaning up graffiti in downtown Sacramento with Clark ’ s brother .


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Texas GOP condemns George Floyd posts by some local leaders

AUSTIN , Texas - Three promoted a Facebook post suggesting George Floyd ’ s death was staged .
Another shared a Martin Luther King Jr. quote over a picture of a banana .
A fifth nudged followers to consider that liberal billionaire George Soros pays black people to riot to keep “ race wars “ flaring .
All of them are local GOP leaders in Texas , where Floyd will be buried next week .
Just days before Floyd ’ s funeral , a series of racist and conspiracy theory posts circulated by top Republican organizers at the county level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be laid to rest — became a crisis for the Texas GOP on Friday even as Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott and his party are pledging to confront racial injustice in the nation ’ s biggest red state .
Despite pressure to resign , none of the GOP county chairpersons indicated they would do so .
Democrats called it the result of fringe voices and views becoming emboldened under President Donald Trump and finding little in the way of pushback .
Abbott , who denounced the posts and called for resignations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it might say about his party in Texas .
“ The narrow point is this , and that is the death of George Floyd is a travesty and is a result of a criminal act , ” Abbott said at a briefing Friday about hurricane preparedness .
“ It should not be the subject of any of these conspiracy theories .
And it ’ s irresponsible for anyone to promote some conspiracy theory of what is otherwise a brutal act of police violence.
” Floyd , who was black , spent most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee to Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes .
His body on Friday was being taken to North Carolina , where he was born 46 years ago , for a public viewing and private service for family before his funeral in Houston .
Keith Nielsen , who is set to become chairman of the Texas GOP ’ s largest local party in Houston later this month , posted the King quote next to a picture of a banana , a racist trope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nielsen characterized the backlash to the post as a misreading , saying in a statement that he “ simply wanted to say that it ’ s bananas and that peaceful protesters have shown us a better way forward.
” In San Antonio , Bexar County GOP Chairwoman Cynthia Brehm also said she would not step down despite widespread condemnation for sharing a post suggesting that Floyd ’ s death was staged to inflame racial tensions .
The same post was also promoted by two other GOP county chairpersons .
The posts — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday — are the latest episode of fringe and racist rhetoric at the local level in Texas causing embarrassment and discomfort for GOP leaders .
Last year , a Republican state representative was denounced for suggesting that “ Asian ” challengers on the ballot were motivated by race .
Another Republican county chairwoman near Houston also used a racial slur in a text message about a black party organizer .
But on Friday , the most recent posts in Texas eclipsed condemnation of Floyd ’ s killing expressed by Abbott and other GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assure protesters and black leaders of their commitment to confronting racial injustice .
Texas state Sen. Royce West , a Democrat running for U.S. Senate who is facing a July primary runoff , praised Republicans for swiftly denouncing the posts .
But West , who is black , said the GOP been too timid when it comes to calling out fringe or racist rhetoric .
“ It comes from Donald Trump , “ West said .
“ You have failed leadership in the White House , and also when you look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They haven ’ t really taken strong stances.
” West said he would attend Floyd ’ s funeral .
Abbott did not respond Friday when asked whether he would attend .
Tweeted Republican Sen. Ted Cruz : “ Stop saying stupid , racist things .
Our country is grieving .
”


thetorontostar--2020-06-05--Black cops feel pain of Floyd’s death, duty to their uniform

OKLAHOMA CITY - Black police officers find themselves torn between two worlds : They feel the pain of seeing yet another black man killed at the hands of fellow officers , yet they must also try to keep the peace during angry protests fueled by that death .
Those feelings , familiar to many blacks in law enforcement for years , have never been more intense than in the days since the death of George Floyd .
The 46-year-old black man died in Minneapolis after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other officers watched .
“ My emotion , my fervour is no less than those people on the streets , “ said New York City police Detective Felicia Richards , who is black .
“ I stand in this uniform , and I understand what my obligation is to this uniform , but I can ’ t compromise my humanity.
” Richards , president of the NYPD Guardians Association , a fraternal organization , said she was horrified by the video that captured Floyd ’ s arrest and final moments .
She struggled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such “ brute force.
” Floyd , who was laid off from his job as a bouncer when Minnesota shut down restaurants as part of a stay-at-home order during the coronavirus pandemic , was being arrested May 25 .
A convenience store worker had accused him of using counterfeit money .
Floyd was handcuffed and did not appear to be resisting the officers .
Black police officers who saw the footage “ let out a sigh of disgust and abandonment right there , ” Richards said .
” When we saw that man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer to the community.
” Richards , a 34-year veteran of the NYPD , said the toll on officers ’ mental health runs deep .
They can not grieve with the rest of the black America , and many of them must meet a seething public .
The National Black Police Association was blunt in its assessment of Floyd ’ s death and how law enforcement has historically treated black citizens .
“ Let ’ s speak truths : In America , it is clear that the humanity of black people appears invisible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
“ What other explanation would there be for ( Minneapolis Police Officer Derek ) Chauvin to lean on the neck of a handcuffed black man until he dies ?
” The group cited recent images of armed white men converging on the Michigan Capitol to protest stay-at-home orders intended to curb spread of the coronavirus .
“ Armed white men are allowed to stand on the steps of government buildings and protest that their liberty is being stepped on , unchallenged by law enforcement .
But too often , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have committed minor violations , freedom is no longer at play , and the door opens for death at the very hands of those who should be protecting and serving , “ the organization said .
Since police killings gave rise to the Black Lives Matter movement , police departments have sought to better diversify their ranks .
But minorities remain underrepresented in many agencies .
For example , of the 36,000-plus officers in the New York Police Department , 17,000 are white , while 5,500 are black .
Police work in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the beginning .
In 1965 , sheriff ’ s deputies O ’ Neal Moore and David Creed Rogers were ambushed in Varnado , Louisiana , while investigating a brush fire .
Moore was killed , and Rogers was blinded in his right eye .
According to Justice Department files on the attack , the two had been on the job for one year and were the first black deputies in the department .
Their hiring infuriated the Ku Klux Klan .
Mike Render , a member of the popular rap duo Run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spoke tearfully during a news conference last week in Atlanta about his love for family members in law enforcement .
His father was a police officer , as are two cousins .
He recalled that the first eight black officers on the Atlanta department , who joined the force nearly a century ago , had to get dressed at a YMCA because their fellow white officers did not want to be in the same locker room with them .
“ I ’ m mad as hell , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world burn yesterday , because I ’ m tired of seeing black men die.
“ He compared Floyd ’ s death under the officer ’ s knee to that of a zebra ” in the clutch of a lion ’ s jaw.
” Some have sought to bridge the divide between demonstrators and fellow officers .
In Florida , Fort Lauderdale officer Krystle Smith was lauded after a video went viral of her chasing and reprimanding a fellow officer after he pushed a protester to the ground who was already kneeling .
Officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters in Charlotte , North Carolina , to ease tensions .
She told them that she could not defend the officers in Minneapolis .
But when she ’ s on the job , she does her best to hold her fellow officers accountable and has told some of them to “ ease up.
” “ I ’ m hurt the same way you hurt .
...
I understand your pain , ” said Nivens , part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department ’ s “ constructive conversation ” team , which makes a point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The unit was created after protests erupted in that city following the 2016 police shooting death of Keith Lamont Scott .
Some officers say they too have experienced racism — on and off the job .
Norman , Oklahoma , officer Ralph Manous recalled an experience while attending Missouri State University .
He was walking home from his overnight job when he started to hear honking from a truck in the distance .
“ Somebody threw a full beer at my head .
And so I instantly took off running .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whole bunch of racial slurs , stuff like that , “ Manous said .
As a former junior college wrestler , he was still athletic enough to escape after jumping some fences and hiding behind a backyard shed .
Even as an officer , he is leery of other police .
When he leaves Norman , he hangs his wallet badge on his rearview mirror to make sure if he is pulled over , officers immediately know he ’ s one of them .
He ’ s been to protests in Norman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people is usually negative when they find out he ’ s an officer .
“ They typically start to clam up and get secretive or think that I ’ m out to get them , ” he said .
“ They crack the little sly jokes .
I get where they are coming from.
“ Once , when he was the first officer to show up on a call for a disturbance , the man who answered the door wouldn ’ t speak to him or let him into the house .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately explained everything to the other officer .
When it was time to leave , the man shook his partner ’ s hand but turned his back on Manous and walked away .
“ I said , ‘ OK .
This is the America we are living in.
’ ” Brunt reported from Oklahoma City , and Fields from Silver Spring , Maryland .
Associated Press writers Lisa Marie Pane in Boise , Idaho , Ashraf Khalil in Washington and Sophia Tareen in Chicago also contributed .

Cliff Brunt And Gary Fields - The Associated Press